~ Footsteps of the Flock ~
Scripture (shepherding in the Song of
Solomon) ~ “Tell me, O you whom I love,
where you
feed your flock, where you make it rest at noon. For why should I be as one who veils herself by the flocks of your companions? If you do not know, O fairest among women,
follow in the
footsteps of the flock, and feed your little goats
beside the
shepherds’ tents” (Song of Solomon 1:7-8).
An Appeal To The Shepherd
~ “He
will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, and
carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those who are with young” (Isaiah
40:11).
A Rested Flock
~ “He
makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads
me beside the still waters” (Psalm 23:2). “Thus says the Lord: ‘Stand in the ways and see, and
ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; then you will
find rest for your souls. But they said,
“We will not walk in it”’” (Jeremiah 6:16).
Rival Shepherds
~ “Now
I say this, that each of you says, ‘I am of Paul,’ or ‘I am of Apollos,’ or ‘I
am of Cephas,’ or ‘I am of Christ.’ Is
Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for
you? Or were you baptized in the name of
Paul?” (1 Corinthians 1:12-13).
“For
when one says, ‘I am of Paul,’ and another, ‘I am of Apollos,’ are you not
carnal? Who then is Paul, and who is
Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one? I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the
increase” (1 Corinthians 3:4-6).
A Gracious Answer ~ “The humble He guides in justice, and the humble He teaches
His way” (Psalm 25:9). “Do not hide Your
face from me; do not turn Your servant away in anger; You have been my help; do
not leave me nor forsake me, O God of my salvation” (Psalm 27:9).
A Plain Path
~ “Then
those who gladly received his word
were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. And they continued steadfastly in the
apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Then fear came upon every soul, and many
wonders and signs were done through the apostles. Now all who believed were together, and had
all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them
among all, as anyone had need. So
continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house
to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising
God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved” (Acts
2:41-47). “For it seemed good
to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these
necessary things: that you abstain from things offered to idols, from blood, from
things strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these,
you will do well” (Acts 15:28-29).
Feeding And Leading
~ “So
when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?’ He said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord; You know that I
love You.’ He said to him, ‘Feed My
lambs’” (John 21:15). “Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as
overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for
dishonest gain but eagerly” (1 Peter 5:2).
~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW
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