https://odb.org/2025/02/11/god-runs-after-us
Ezekiel 34:11-13,15–16 (NIV): 11 “ ‘For this is what the Sovereign LORD says: I myself will search for my sheep and look after them. 12 As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness. 13 I will bring them out from the nations and gather them from the countries, and I will bring them into their own land. I will pasture them on the mountains of Israel, in the ravines, and in all the settlements in the land. 15 I myself will tend my sheep and have them lie down, declares the Sovereign LORD. 16 I will search for the lost and bring back the strays. I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak, but the sleek and the strong I will destroy. I will shepherd the flock with justice.
I am a little late today. Since it is a public holiday, we took the opportunity to go for an early morning brisk walk by the lake near our city condo and also had an early breakfast outside.
Looking at today’s topic, I think it’s a little of a paradox that while life is somewhat a test, God will not spare any effort to bring us back to Him. It is a test as at the end of time, we are to give an account to Christ at the Bema judgment seat of Christ. That’s likely one of the reasons why Jesus taught us on the parable of the talents. Did we bury our talent, or did we put it to good use and grow it 5 or 10 fold? Yet if we were to fall away, God would run after us like the song says – “Your goodness is running after, is running after me!” Or another song that says – “You are forever in my life. You see me through the seasons. ” On the one hand, the Lord is testing us. On the other hand, He is giving us a helping hand and is forever in our lives, in all seasons.
Like during the time of Ezekial in today’s Scripture. The LORD allowed the Babylonians to overrun Judah, destroy the Tenple, burn down Jerusalem, and take the Israelites into exile. It was because of their insolence and disobedience. Yet He promised that He would gather them back into their country and seek the lost and bring back the strays. He did it centuries ago when the Babylonians allowed the exiles to return to Jerusalem after seventy years and in recent times when the state of Israel was established in 1948.
Ezekial 34 is a picture of the heart of God when we who had found the light got lost and became strays again. It is a picture of the wanderers amongst us believers who were distracted by the attractions of the world. It reflects those of us who lost sight of our calling in Him, who allowed our circumstances in the natural to deviate God’s plans and purposes for us. Jesus Christ, our Lord, will gather and bring us back to the right path. Back to our own country, the place where He will pasture us and where the Lord Himself will tend to us. We will be strengthened again to live in the centre of His will, to serve Him and fulfil His plans and purposes for our lives! Get back to Him, and don’t remain where we are. Get back on the narrow path of righteousness. We will enjoy His sweetness, His peace and joy in the land overflowing with milk and honey! The LORD will look for the lost!
Ronnie's Thoughts 