Caribbean Moravian Devotions

Shepherds After GodÂ’s Heart

I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding. Jeremiah 3: 15

Jeremiah 3 is a call for the people of Israel and Judah to repent or return to the ways of God. This is the only hope for them as a people. The Lord promises them that they will receive shepherds after His own heart to lead them. In many instances in the Bible, including this one, the term shepherd is used to mean ‘king’. There was only one true shepherd in Israel. Their greatest King, David, paid homage to Him in Psalm 23, the Lord [Jehovah] is my Shepherd! God was the one true Shepherd in Israel. What Israel needed then were kings with a Godly heart, kings that would put themselves aside and rule according to the leading of God.
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Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord. 1 Cor.12:4,5

The book of Corinthians addressed many challenges and controversies in the church. In our text Paul deals with the matter of spiritual gifts and personal talents. He notes that whilst there may be a variety of these, they are provided by the same Lord, who has called his followers to be his body. Later in the chapter he goes on to liken this ‘body of Christ’ to the human body, dependent on each member for its effectiveness. No part of the body can function in isolation from another part. Indeed, so is the body of Christ! Its structure and system is such that the various members must function interdependently.
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God says, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.” Isa. 43:1

An assurance like this would surely receive a welcome at the beginning of any new era such as the new year! What a solace to hear from God the words, “You are mine”! Can you imagine the comfort of knowing you belong to God?! That sense of belonging is something everyone cherishes. And belonging to God is a good place for anyone. Further, the knowledge that he really knows you gives added comfort. He says, “I have called you by name”! Yes, He knows even your name. This thought is refreshing. But even greater reassurance comes when God continues to speak in the following verse.
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God has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he has set forth in Christ. Eph.1:9

This verse of scripture can adequately fit into the Christmas scenario, and, following the Christmas season, it readily does so. It aptly describes the whole significance of Christmas in that God sent Jesus into the world in response to his recognition of our human depravity. So great was the sinfulness of the world that the ‘culprit’ was not adequate to his own punishment – it would take someone far greater, and less contaminated. And so God turned to his son and sent him to be the propitiation for our sin – to substitute on our behalf. He therefore prepared him a human body to take our place in the matter of satisfying the requirement and penalty for sin. Thus two great truths are revealed in this scenario.
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Bear fruits worthy of repentance. Luke 3:8

As John the Baptist, the fore-runner of Jesus, preached to the crowds whom he sought to prepare for Christ’s coming, he urged them to repentance, both in word and action. The understanding of ‘repentance’ includes penitence and change – saying ‘sorry’ and demonstrating it by a change in behaviour. As each group asked him the question, “What shall we do?” he directed them to how their fruit of repentance should look. Your fruit of repentance should look similar. You, too, should have new behaviour as a result of your interaction with Christ. How can you show this – what should you do?

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Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has looked favourably on his people and redeemed them. Luke 1:68

These words are spoken by Zacharias after he had named his son ‘John’ and his tongue was loosened that he could speak. He added, “He has raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David.” This response to God’s action and intervention in his life was similar to Mary’s response when she was informed that she would be the mother of the Messiah. She said, among other things, “He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy.” (Luke 1:54) Both responses speak of salvation – that God would rescue his people. Indeed, the whole Christ-event is about the rescue and redemption of the human race. But what significance does it have for us today?
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Jesus says, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” Luke 21:33

Jesus’ words are lasting. What a wonderful assurance! Have you ever thought of that when you considered some of the messages contained in scripture? Do you give it a thought when you consider his promises? Are you ever conscious then of what 2 Cor.1:20 says of him? “For all the promises of God in him are ‘Yea’; and in him are ‘Amen’.” Therefore reflect on some of his promises to you in the new assurance that such promises will not pass away, nor return to him void. (See Isa.55:11)

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“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty. Rev.1:8

God here declares himself as eternal and from the beginning. He was there at the creation with the invitation “Let us make man in our own image”. He was there throughout the history of the children of Israel, when they could gladly say, “If it had not been the Lord who was on our side!” He was there in Jesus Christ on earth. He is here in the Holy Spirit sustaining and guiding us daily. He is the one who is to return to claim those who walk in his way. He is the first and the last. He is truly here throughout time. But what does that mean to me or you?

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Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for God who has promised is faithful. Heb.10:23

This thought of exercising faith without wavering, although repeated in scripture, is more easily preached than practiced. Jesus frequently said, in the presence of his disciples, “Thy faith has made thee whole”. Yet, when they though that they were in peril, he had to say to them, “Where is your faith?” Practising faith is challenging. Consider the story of a lone mountain climber.

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