This Day in History: 0000-06-30

June 30 – Ezekiel 34:11-16 

For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: “I myself will search and find my sheep. I will be like a shepherd looking for his scattered flock. I will find My sheep and rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on that dark and cloudy day. I will bring them back home to their own land of Israel from among the peoples and nations. I will feed them on the mountains of Israel and by the rivers and in all the places where people live. Yes, I will give them good pastureland on the high hills of Israel. There they will lie down in pleasant places and feed in lush pastures and hills. I Myself will tend My sheep and give them a place to lie down in peace, says the Sovereign Lord. I will search for My lost ones who strayed away, and I will bring them safely home again. I will bandage the injured and strengthen the weak. But I will destroy those who are fat and powerful. I will feed them, yes – feed them justice! 

Our God knows those who are His! He pursues them. He sustains them. He protects them. This truth became so very clear to me through our trips to Africa. As we visited remote villages surrounded by desert in a country controlled by the blinding influence of Islamic rule and encountered precious brothers and sisters in Christ, I was overcome with awe. What are the chances the Gospel would reach these places? Slim to none! And yet, “the Sovereign Lord says, ‘I myself will search and FIND MY SHEEP.” 

I hope you find comfort in this precious truth. There is no place too far, no corner of this earth so remote that our Good Shepherd won’t search out and find His scattered sheep. WHEREVER we are! But His promises don’t stop there. He’s not only going to find each and every one of us, He also is going to bring us home. He’ll carry us through the wilderness that separates us from the safety of His fold – fighting every foe for us, binding up our wounds, and faithfully feeding us and caring for us along the way. And one glorious day, we’ll be home. Safe forever in His presence. We’ll be able to lie down in peace and live out eternity in the pleasant place He has prepared for us.  

But friends, let us also heed the warning. These truths should not lead us to a life of comfort here on earth. We’re not meant to live out our days getting fat and powerful, for our God is a God of justice. Rather, as His sheep, the love of our Shepherd should compel us to be a part of His work here on earth. Let’s join the search! Let’s partner with our Lord – fully committed to finding the lost. May our God use us as beacons of hope in this dark world. May we proclaim His name wherever He leads, whether it be to the remote desert villages of Africa, or the lost tribes of the rain forest, or the neighbor across the street. May we call out, “Here am I. Send me.”