32 "Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.
Our verse for today speaks of the tender mercies of our God. How faithfully and patiently He tends to His flock. I am reminded of the precious verses in Isaiah chapter 40 that minister such blessing to me:
11 He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young. Isaiah 40:11 (NIV)
Again, the picture of God here is like a tender Shepherd who carefully carries and leads the weakest and helpless of His flock. Ever feel like one of the weakest and helpless members of God’s family? I certainly have! It is really quite comforting to come to the end of one’s rope, so to speak. We have an acute awareness of our inabilities and lack of power and strength. It is a chance for total dependence on the Lord when we finally get out of the way! God specializes in making a way when there seems to be no way. Charles Spurgeon writes:
“The Lord will make a way for you where no foot has been before. That which, like a sea, threatens to drown you, shall be a highway for your escape.”
Believer, this is precisely right where He wants us! “God never places us where His presence will not sustain us.” Robert J. Morgan. His desire is for our total dependence on Him. This, of course, brings forth much fruit in our lives. To my dismay, there appears to be a disconnect or a lack of understanding amongst many that they have very little (if any) desire for producing much (if any) fruit in their lives. Sadly, they miss out on why they are even here and the abundant life God so richly desires to bestow on them (not to even mention the subsequent eternal rewards!). Remember what Jesus said to us:
5 "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5 (NIV)
Nothing of eternal value will ever be accomplished in our lives apart from Christ working in and through us. Abiding in Christ, I believe, has a threefold meaning. First and foremost, He is our Savior. Secondly, we persevere in the walk of believing faith. Thirdly, we cling to Him in loving obedience. The emptying of our self and the filling of the gift of the precious Holy Spirit is the key to this treasure.
The fact that He has “been pleased” to tend to us delights me! It is His pleasure to care for His sheep. Think about this for a minute. He delights over us. That blows me away! I am reminded of the verses in Zephaniah:
17 The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing." Zeph 3:17 (NIV)
The Lord’s presence and power will keep our hands from hanging limp when despair, alarm and anxiety seek to overwhelm us. His sovereignty and purposes soothes and calms our weary souls. Though the world forgets, His children must never forget Who is in ultimate control. Again, I am reminded of another sweet promise of Scripture:
15 "Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! 16 See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me. Isaiah 49:15-16 (NIV)
When facing death, his fate sealed by the Roman courts, Paul saw death not as a victory for Rome but as a rescue from the Lord. Despite the evil attacks, his confidence remained steady that God would bring him safely home. During this time he writes to his beloved Timothy in II Timothy:
18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen. 2 Tim 4:17-18 (NIV)
Sometimes God’s rescue is spiritual, sometimes God’s rescue is physical. Either way, may the great name of the Lord be praised! Oh that we would all have such a mindset as this!
A psalm of David. 1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. Psalms 23:1-6 (NIV)