Get ready to start a journey…a journey through the pages of the Bible and the pages of your life.
The message of Israel’s false prophets was crafted to satisfy people rather than God. In response to Israel’s sin, they offered an unfounded peace. False teachers from every generation bring messages their hearers desire to take in. To every deceitful teacher and prophet God says, in essence, “You’ve got to be kidding!”
Isaiah 46:9-11
Remember the things I have done in the past. For I alone am God! I am God, and there is none like me. Only I can tell you the future before it even happens. Everything I plan will come to pass, for I do whatever I wish. I will call a swift bird of prey from the east—a leader from a distant land to come and do my bidding. I have said what I would do, and I will do it.
God invites you to fearlessness. He invites you to walk away from your anxiousness. Yes, I know it sounds a little crazy right now with all you are going through, but the One who makes the offer knows your situation inside and out. There is good reason to check, “Accept.”
I am sitting here thinking of how totally dependent I am. If a coffee grower somewhere in Guatemala hadn’t done their job, I would have a serious headache right now. If some sardine fisherman slept in, I would have missed lunch. If a certain employee had stayed home, I would not be enjoying a diet vanilla Dr. Pepper from Sonic, and that’s just for starters. From my clothes to my computer to the light in my office . . . I depend on others for my existence.
Someone has well said that we need to be reminded more than we need to be taught. I think there is a lot of truth to that. It is seldom a new nugget of truth that comforts me. More often it is the reminder of something I have forgotten or had pushed to a far corner of my heart.
The Good Shepherd cares for his sheep. He leads them where the grass is lush. He leads them to clear, fresh streams. He protects them from the animals that would attack and kill. He keeps his flock together. Not one sheep is ever lost. He leads purposefully and gently. Sometimes he picks up the weak ones and holds them in his arms. He carries them close to his heart so they can hear it beat.