Rest Well, My Friends!

Wednesday, October 19th, 2011

Today's Passage: Ezekiel 34:15-25
Memory Verse: Ezekiel 34:15,17

Picture this: we're all sheep in this awesomely green pasture. Our Shepherd has provided everything we've needed, and it's now late in the evening and He's called us to rest. As we try to obey His command, a few of us decide to use the time to settle debts, establish rank, and/or stir up fear. They decide that their personal strives are more important than the peace of the flock. And because of that, strife and quarrels spread throughout the fold. How does disunity within the flock affect our rest? And does our behavior toward one another matter to God?

It'd be easy to build walls around ourselves or establish unGodly defense mechanisms to help us deal with each other. Problem is, taking the "easy" way rarely brings successful outcomes. As a matter of fact, the quick and easy way only makes the walls thicker (or higher), and further isolates us. If we're going to experience the sweet rest the Shepherd has provided, we not only have to have peace within ourselves, we have to have peace with the ones who are sharing this flock with us. In verse 15 of our passage today, God says He will feed His flock and make them lie down. We have to understand that it brings glory to Him to have His sheep nourished and at peace. But as much as He knows what it takes to get His sheep to "lie down" (peace & unity), He knows what causes fear and aggravation (strife & disunity). So, in verse 17 He says He will judge between sheep and sheep. God watches His flock with incredible detail. It matters to Him if rams won't let ewes or lambs feed. It bothers Him if ewes shun other ewes. When strife is in the sheepfold, the sheep won't rest, and that causes the Shepherd to look incompetent.

So, in conclusion, try not to live in self-awareness alone. Pursue peace with those in your pasture. When you pray, ask God to give you a heart for others. Tell members of your sheepfold you're praying for them. And if they ask why, tell them because when they are at rest, you are at rest. Oh, and make sure you do it with a pure heart, because you know the Shepherd's watching. Now picture this: we're all sheep in this equally awesome pasture. We're nourished, so no one is worried about bills or finances, and we're at peace, so everyone is walking in love with one another. As the Shepherd prepares us to rest, a calming atmosphere takes over the pasture and soon, all achieve undisturbed rest. Aaaaaah (sighing restfully)! What a time of sweet refreshment!

Prayer: Lord, You are our Shepherd, so we don't need anything. You make us to lie down in green pastures. So all we can do is thank You. Thank You for Your peace. As You establish it by taking care of us, we share it with our neighbors. As we have peace one to another, let all the Earth see what a great Shepherd You are. Let this day be another journey with You as our Guide, in Jesus' name. Amen.