What a beautiful depiction of how God searches for each and every one of us. With tender love, he gathers us. Then, he provides for us and brings us to a place of rest and restoration. But not just any provision and restoration, rich pastures with amazing mountain top views. And these promises, they are for the lost and found, the injured and weak, and all who realize their need of him.

Yet, for the self-sufficient, satisfied in their own provision and rest, those are in grave danger of impending destruction. Humility is the road to God’s favor (as we heard in last week’s sermon); yet, pride is the path of devastating consequence.

[Ezekiel 34.11-16]

11 “For thus says the Lord God: Behold, I, I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out. 12 As a shepherd seeks out his flock when he is among his sheep that have been scattered, so will I seek out my sheep, and I will rescue them from all places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness. 13 And I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries, and will bring them into their own land. And I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, by the ravines, and in all the inhabited places of the country. 14 I will feed them with good pasture, and on the mountain heights of Israel shall be their grazing land. There they shall lie down in good grazing land, and on rich pasture they shall feed on the mountains of Israel. 15 I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I myself will make them lie down, declares the Lord God. 16 I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, and the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them in justice.

[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn?

+ What is your favorite word picture in these passages?

+ How do these scriptures challenge you to live in the provision of our God?

+ Re-read the verses inserting your name and consider the depth of God’s love and care for you?

+ Pray these verses inserting the name of someone God is bringing to mind. How might he be calling you to love this person?

[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to action/obedience?

+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?

+ Is there someone I can show grace to today or prayer for Gods favor to fall fresh upon?

+ How might the Lord be calling me to extend grace to this person or persons?

[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus?

+ What is my next step?

+ What sins may I need to confess?

+ How am I begging the Lord to be gracious to me?