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“But we are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth he has promised, a world filled with God’s righteousness.” 2 Peter 3:13
In the years before Jesus came there were many prophecies of his coming. Signs to look for. Times of good and bad; of victories and defeats, but no Messiah. Then came the 400 years of silence.
No words of the Messiah’s coming. No signs pointing to his arrival. No hope. People lived and died and were forgotten waiting for a promise that didn’t come.
Then he arrived! In the heaven’s the Father said it’s time and his plan began. Paul writes that all of creation groans waiting for the fulfillment of God’s promise.
Don’t grow weary.
Don’t grow apathetic.
Don’t lose focus or doubt.
Someday he will give the word again and his plan of salvation which began with an empty tomb will be fulfilled in victory. Our salvation has present blessings with eternal perspectives!
Hallelujah. Come quickly Lord Jesus.
““If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them wanders away, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others on the hills and go out to search for the one that is lost?” Matthew 18:12
Our dog rarely leaves the boundaries of our yard. He has no fence, no collar, nothing to keep him from straying far. Occasionally he’ll wander into the open field by our house but not far and always comes with a simple calling.
My daughter’s dog? Well, that’s a different story. He’s one of those giant dogs that seems to believe he is a lap dog. He’s a lover. However, when we let him outside to answer the call of nature we have him on a leash and walk side with him. He’s not only a great dog, he’s a wanderer. Without a fence or a leash he has no boundaries. What’s worse, if he does wander away and you call him, his response is, “let’s play catch me if you can!” Much as I love that dog, he needs constant scrutiny or he’ll wander off.
I tend to be more like my daughter’s dog. Much as I try to follow God, I find myself wandering. That’s why I’m so thankful for Jesus, my good shepherd.
As a good shepherd, Jesus states that he will watch over us, protect us, provide for us and, if we wander, seek us out to bring us home.
His guidance and protection are based on his love for me, not my wandering. He knows I’m the lamb that will stray so I’m guessing he may keep a little closer eye on me.
How about you? Do you find yourself wandering off and no matter how much you try, you struggle to follow the good shepherd? He’s not surprised you know. He knows your tendency to wander. He will always seek you out and celebrate your return.
Mike Fisk & Built with Grace 