RTW August 30
Always Our Shepherd
“I will be like a shepherd…”
Ezekiel 34:12a
My Takeaways
Something Old
I love the similarities between Ezekiel 34 and Psalm 23.
Ezekiel 34
- Search for them (Ezekiel 34:11)
- Bring them back (Ezekiel 34:13)
- Feed them (Ezekiel 34:14)
- Give them peace (Ezekiel 34:15)
- Care for the wounds (Ezekiel 34:16)
- Strengthen their weakness (Ezekiel 34:16)
- Blesses them (Ezekiel 34:26)
- Tend to their crop-supply their needs (Ezekiel 34:26)
- Protect their reputation (Ezekiel 34:29)
Something New
Our Good Shepherd, New Testament style:
- I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. (NIV)
John 10:11 - I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me.
John 10:14 - May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. (NIV)
Hebrews 13:20-21 - For “you were like sheep going astray”, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. (NIV)
1 Peter 2:25 - And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. (NIV)
1 Peter 5:4
Something to Do
Be still and remember how my Good Shepherd was taking care of me.
Thanks Wendy for today’s lesson! I never knew how Ezekiel 34 and Psalm 23 have lots of similarities. I love Psalm 23. I love that God is my Good Shepherd and He is always taking care of me. I love all of the verses in the New Testament that talk about the Good Shepherd.
Shepherd and sheep-one of the most reassuring biblical symbols. I love Ezekiel 34:15-16, “I myself will tend my sheep and give them a place to lie down in peace, says the Sovereign Lord. I will search for my lost ones who strayed away, and I will bring them safely home again.“ A shepherd to guide us, give us comfort and peace, and bring us home. What a beautiful gift!
RTW family, please pray with me for my sweet mom who is in the hospital dealing with a lung issue. Pray she can tolerate the medicines and can build up her strength and appetite. She only weighs about 80 lbs. and can not afford to lose anymore. Thank you kindly.
I will stop and say a prayer for her right now. I will pray for you too, it’s hard on all her loved ones too.
Thank you lkennedy.
Praying for you and your mom!
Thank you kindly Natalie.
My Takeaways: Out with the Old in with the New!
Something Old: Beautiful reading today. Ezekiel 36:26-27 “And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your Stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. And I will put my spirit in you so that you will follow my degrees and be careful to obey my regulations” Sounds a lot like Jeremiah 31:33. “But this is the New Covenant I will make with the people of Israel on that day, says the Lord. I will put my instructions deep within them, and I will write them down on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.” The Old Covenant exposed man’s sin. There was no provisions for removing sins.
Something New: The New Covenant makes the Old Covenant obsolete.
An Imperfect priest vs. a perfect priests, Jesus Christ.
Incomplete sacrifices vs. the eternal lamb
An earthly alter vs. a heavenly sanctuary
Can’t make dead men alive vs. life for all who desire it
Can’t remove the sin problem vs. the perfect righteousness of God himself
The Old Covenant condemned, the New Covenant redeems.The Gospel of Grace wins over my heart, yes it exposes my sin, but it is forever more gracious in removing it completely.
Something To Do: Recognize my sin for what it is, be sorry for displeasing God, and ask his forgiveness. Let the Holy Spirit guide me, making me responsive and receptive to God’s truth.Thank God for the New Convenent.