Searching and Seeking

Although we associate shepherds with sheep, that term can be applied to anyone who cares for animals. A shepherd looks out for livestock, counts them and cares for them. It is his living. In todays message the Lord likens himself to a shepherd.

Ezekiel 34: 11-16 For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out. As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day. And I will bring them out from the people, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land, and feed them upon the mountains of Israel by the rivers, and in all the inhabited places of the country. I will feed them in a good pasture, and upon the high mountains of Israel shall their fold be: there shall they lie in a good fold, and in a fat pasture shall they feed upon the mountains of Israel. I will feed my flock, and I will cause them to lie down, saith the Lord GOD. I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick: but I will destroy the fat and the strong; I will feed them with judgment.

The Lord says I, even I will both search and seek the sheep. How are you doing in your life? In your affairs? Are things as they should be? God keeps an eye over you each day. Just how are things between you and the Lord?

The Lord does not divide his attention between all of us. THE LORD CONCENTRATES ON YOU! We have 100% of his attention all the time. He approaches us. His fullness is wherever you are in your life, heart, and mind. He is not far away. We are just like animals; we need a shepherd. We are lousy rulers over our lives. Would we be where we are today without the guidance and help of the Lord? He knows we wander here and there just as an animal would. We must realize how much we need shepherding and how much we need THE SHEPHERD. Sometimes we think ourselves so self sufficient. We think we can accomplish so much on our own. The Bible tells us we all sin and come short. We act foolish and childish so often because were dumb, just like a sheep. Do you think you dont need a shepherd? Are you crazy? He knows us, like it or not. He knows we need a shepherd and HE IS IT. If you are unsaved, you will not make it on your own. You have a shepherd even though you are lost right now. Jesus said the Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost. All your life youve had a shepherd because youve been a sheep all your life.

Isaiah said all we like sheep have gone astray. So, have you strayed from the teachings of your youth? Are you disinterested in church? Do you mistreat others? Do you gossip? You are straying. Has Christianity become a name only thing for you? Is it just a formality? If I see this, how much more does Jesus see it? It breaks the heart of Jesus; he is searching and seeking. He has not forgotten your name. You may have let things drive you away from God. Do you feel scattered and broken? He knows where you are. You are in his bulls eye. Should he pat us on the back and tell us to scatter and play around with the wolves, strike out on our own? We are sorry sheep. It displeases God when we act this way. However, verse 16 says He will bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick. He wants to bring you back to the safety of the fold. When he finds things wrong, he doesnt throw us down. He heals those wounds and supplies the needs. No matter how scattered we are the Lord knows what we need. Under his care, we have the best one can ever have; he feeds us in the best pastures; we have rest, peace and joy in a good fold.

You cannot beat church. You cannot beat God's people. You cannot beat God's will. You cannot beat a life surrendered to the Shepherd. Let the Shepherd pick you up and bring you home. Its not that he does not search and seek, its that we do not pay attention. We need to respond and seek him. Search yourself and realize your need of him. Call out to him. Seek him. There is no other Shepherd but Jesus. He owns us as his sheep. Come to the Shepherd.