September 23, 2014
Lose sight of the so-called “sweet by and by," and the “nasty now and now” looks; well, pretty nasty. The clearer we see the bright future, the better able we are to put the present in perspective, and persevere.
“Then I will set over them one shepherd, My servant David, and he will feed them; he will feed them himself and be their shepherd. And I, the LORD, will be their God, and My servant David will be prince among them; I the LORD have spoken. I will make a covenant of peace with them and eliminate harmful beasts from the land so that they may live securely in the wilderness and sleep in the woods. I will make them and the places around My hill a blessing. And I will cause showers to come down in their season; they will be showers of blessing.” (Ezekiel 34.23-26)
This is a picture of promise to the people of Israel, but by extension it applies to all the people of God. A day will come in which “one shepherd” will be head of a great and perfect government on earth. Although he is called David here, we understand him to be the Son of David, Jesus the Christ. At the time, God’s covenant of peace will extend even to the animal kingdom on earth. We will peacefully coexist, as in the original garden of perfection. God’s blessings will abound; “showers of blessing”. It will be an absolutely perfect earthly paradise.
Throughout human history, many have dreamed and envisioned utopia. These dreams and ideals have been based on what could be accomplished through human achievement. That which God has described for us of the coming kingdom far exceeds what dreamers can dream, and becomes reality, not but feeble human effort, but only by the dynamic power and ability of our Creator Father.
The opportunity and challenge before us each day is to more clearly grasp the picture God has painted for us, and more fully live within that realm as we await its fullness. The clearer we can see it now, the better able we are to experience it - in our personal lives, and the shared community life of the people of God.
May it become a clearer reality to each of us today.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2014
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/
Amazon ebook & print devotional -http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FQ1Q9GW
paperback print copy of book — https://www.createspace.com/4500045
“Then I will set over them one shepherd, My servant David, and he will feed them; he will feed them himself and be their shepherd. And I, the LORD, will be their God, and My servant David will be prince among them; I the LORD have spoken. I will make a covenant of peace with them and eliminate harmful beasts from the land so that they may live securely in the wilderness and sleep in the woods. I will make them and the places around My hill a blessing. And I will cause showers to come down in their season; they will be showers of blessing.” (Ezekiel 34.23-26)
This is a picture of promise to the people of Israel, but by extension it applies to all the people of God. A day will come in which “one shepherd” will be head of a great and perfect government on earth. Although he is called David here, we understand him to be the Son of David, Jesus the Christ. At the time, God’s covenant of peace will extend even to the animal kingdom on earth. We will peacefully coexist, as in the original garden of perfection. God’s blessings will abound; “showers of blessing”. It will be an absolutely perfect earthly paradise.
Throughout human history, many have dreamed and envisioned utopia. These dreams and ideals have been based on what could be accomplished through human achievement. That which God has described for us of the coming kingdom far exceeds what dreamers can dream, and becomes reality, not but feeble human effort, but only by the dynamic power and ability of our Creator Father.
The opportunity and challenge before us each day is to more clearly grasp the picture God has painted for us, and more fully live within that realm as we await its fullness. The clearer we can see it now, the better able we are to experience it - in our personal lives, and the shared community life of the people of God.
May it become a clearer reality to each of us today.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2014
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/
Amazon ebook & print devotional -http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FQ1Q9GW
paperback print copy of book — https://www.createspace.com/4500045
posted by steve @ 9:15 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home