Promise: He Is Our Shepherd and Peace
Once a month I write a letter to the wonderful Prayer for Prodigals community I am part of. Often those letters, though specific to those who love a prodigal, apply to any or all of us in the challenging circumstances of life.
We have now entered into spirit and heart preparation for the June 2 Worldwide Prodigal Prayer Day. Each week we will be going to God’s Word with open spirits and hearts to hear from Him, to be ready to enter into the battle for the souls of the wanderers we love. Our theme this year is Promise: He Is True to His Name.
Dear Lover of Prodigals,
Confusion. Turmoil. Conflict.
Every one of us experiences these in our day-to-day lives. And when you love a prodigal, confusion, turmoil and conflict often become a way of life.
All of us need wisdom and peace as we navigate life. Gratefully, our God offers all we need as our Shepherd and Peace.
Jehovah Rohi: Shepherd
Patches, one of my many dogs, was an Australian Shepherd. She was beautiful and fun. And truly a shepherd. She was always trying to get us to go where she wanted to go. She would even approach a complete stranger, take his wrist in her mouth and seek to lead him. This frightened a few people.
Shepherds—sheep herders—have responsibilities to protect, supervise, care for and discipline their sheep. It is no wonder that God calls Himself a shepherd: We, his people, his sheep, need lots of protection, supervision, care and discipline.
Take a minute to read through the most popular Psalm of all time:
Psalm 23: 1The LORD is my shepherd (Jehovah Rohi), I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 He refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name's sake.
4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
What an incredible picture of what our God, our Shepherd does for us. And then the Lord Jesus amplifies it:
"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep…My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand” (John 10:11, 27-28).
I have held on to that promise so many times as I have prayed for my prodigal and your prodigal: “No one will snatch them out of my hand.”
Jehovah Shalom: Peace
I’m a fan of peace. I don’t care for noise and chaos and especially conflict. I am a confirmed conflict avoider. Needless to say, the circumstances of life often bring noise and chaos and conflict into our lives.
So I am so grateful that God has called himself Peace.
Gideon was no stranger to chaos and conflict. The Midianites totally oppressed and impoverished the Israelites. God’s people lived in constant fear. Then an angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, a youth in an insignificant family, called him a mighty warrior and told him he was to rescue Israel.
Gideon, of course, said, “Pardon me, Lord, but…” After much conversation, the Lord gave him a sign, but Gideon was afraid. God responded, “Peace. Do not be afraid.”
“So Gideon built an altar to the Lord there and called it Jehovah Shalom—the Lord is Peace” (Judges 6:24).
Our Savior confirms this wonderful promise to us:
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27).
So when our lives and circumstances seem filled with chaos and conflict, we can call on the name of Jehovah Shalom and rest in the promise that Jesus gives us His peace
Peace and blessings to you,
Judy
What about you? Do you wisdom or peace?
c2018 Judy Douglass
If you would be interested in requesting prayer for a prodigal loved one, or being a part of our wonderful praying community, respond in comments or write to me at PrayerforProdigals at gmaildotcom.
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