by Cathee Poulsen
There’s that sheep metaphor again. “Little flock.” Jesus used it often when speaking to us about trust. Reminding us that he’s a good shepherd and that we can trust him.
But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. Matthew 9:36 NKJ
Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. Matthew 10:16
What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying? Matthew 18:12
You get the picture, don’t you? He cares, he notices, he leads. He has given us everything. The whole kingdom. NOW. And doing it brings him pleasure. He’s smiling.
Yes, I know there is a millennial period coming where Jesus will actually sit on the throne of David in Jerusalem and reign. But he made it ultimately clear that his primary message was “the gospel of the kingdom.” We’ve called it the “gospel of salvation,” but Jesus never called it that. And the truth is, salvation (SOZO) includes a much broader definition than the death, burial, and resurrection.
It includes the way we live right now. In the middle of a global crisis. What seems like a catastrophe. It includes the authority we’ve been given in Christ to be overcomers. But sadly, we are quick to forget that unless we have something to overcome, we’ll never learn to be overcomers.
His way is in the whirlwind and the storm,
and clouds are the dust of his feet. Nahum 1:3b
We are learning the ways of God and these words teach us that challenges, sorrow, loss, and suffering are actually clouds that come along with following Jesus. If there were never any storms or clouds in your life, you would have no faith.
Good Cheer?
Yup! That’s what he said, isn’t it? “Be of good cheer because I’ve been an overcomer before you. And guess what? I’ve overcome it all. Everything.” And “as the father has sent me, I am sending you.” And “as I am, so are you in the world.” And how was he in the world? In a hurry? Stressed? Anxious? Can’t see that anywhere.
Wow! Those are incredibly comforting words. And here’s what I think. It isn’t so much that God wants to teach us something through this trial we’re experiencing right now called COVID-19. The novel corona virus. What he wants more than anything is for us to unlearn some things.
He is using this cloud to help us simplify our beliefs so that we become like a child in our relationship with him. Where everything else is a shadow. Where we can actually face the darkest time of our lives without damaging or changing our knowledge of God’s character.
Because until we know fully in our deepest heart of hearts that God is good and he is kind, no matter what we are facing, we do not yet know him.
Now THIS is the Cathee that I know and love He is taking us all back to faith and obedience. Blessed by your words.
Great reminder! God is for us. I always love the pics you choose for your blog. Thanks for taking time to do this so lovingly.
Good blog!
God is so faithful. He protected me through the 28 years of utter insanity I chose to live in. Now, when foolishness shows up that I have nothing to do with, trusting Him is simple. Easy, breezy, mac & cheesy.
Fear, quite simply, is just a lack of Faith.
I couldn’t agree more!
Thank you Cathee. I love you and I love your faith.
Great reminder to us all that HE has us in HIS hands and will guide our path. Yes if one of us strays he goes after us. Thank you for these comforting words.
The Lord finally has the sheep’s attention. Isn’t it amazing what changes when He does? For me, more time for Him, our very Good Shepherd?
I did not mean a question mark after Shepherd, but this!!!!
Thank you, Cathee!
What a beautiful way to remind His little sheep to just trust in our Shepherd.
Love this and you~
Lynne