The Guidance of A Shepherd
Turn, O backsliding children, saith the Lord; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion: And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding. Jeremiah 3:14-15
You just have to shake your head at the Israelites. Their commitment to God was similar to a yo-yo. Up one minute serving Him and trusting His ways and down the next, worshipping idols and pagan gods. However, for all their faults, we're just like them, so don't shake your head too much! LOL
In this chapter, God has given Jeremiah the words to help them return to their first love. Even through the depths of their depravity, their sinful worship of idols, and their hypocrisy, God still wants a relationship with them, His children.
In honor of Pastor Appreciation Day, let's focus on verse 15. Here, it states that following the reconciliation, God will give the Israelites pastors (shepherds) according to His heart for their spiritual growth and wisdom. So, what is this verse saying?
1. The pastors will be called by God, not man - God has strict guidelines for pastors and holds them to a higher standard. A pastor called by man only will focus on keeping men happy, not God.
2. They will follow God's heart in how He wants His people led - Sure, it may not make sense to the Israelites, but if God says it needs to be done, they should follow.
3. Their duty is (not so) simple - feed God's children with knowledge and understanding. Sure, this will cause some to be mad at the pastor, but the Bible is not a feel-good bedtime story. It is a love letter from God to His children and the whole counsel of Scripture must be taught. The Israelites were going to be told that idol worship is wrong and focusing on self is not the way to please God.
I know your pastor. I have lived with him for many years. I can tell you, without bias, that the man you see on Sunday is the man I see every day. He spends time on his knees, begging God for wisdom to lead God's church and praying for his people. Many nights he spends lying awake, agonizing over decisions made by God's people that aren't pleasing to Him. The leadership he provides comes directly from God and while we may not understand the direction, we must follow him as he follows God. Many joke that he only works three hours a week and I can tell you -being a pastor means being on call 24/7.
He also has many joys. Seeing those that were children when we arrived grow into young adults with a heart for Christ and serving in His church is like a ray of sunshine in his life. Seeing the kids that have been born in the last 15 years growing and learning through his ministry as well as the adults who have grown and matured in their faith gives him a renewed sense of purpose and zeal to continue in God's work.
This Sunday (and everyday) say a special prayer for your pastor, and all the pastors in your life. You never know the burdens they carry silently.
C
You just have to shake your head at the Israelites. Their commitment to God was similar to a yo-yo. Up one minute serving Him and trusting His ways and down the next, worshipping idols and pagan gods. However, for all their faults, we're just like them, so don't shake your head too much! LOL
In this chapter, God has given Jeremiah the words to help them return to their first love. Even through the depths of their depravity, their sinful worship of idols, and their hypocrisy, God still wants a relationship with them, His children.
In honor of Pastor Appreciation Day, let's focus on verse 15. Here, it states that following the reconciliation, God will give the Israelites pastors (shepherds) according to His heart for their spiritual growth and wisdom. So, what is this verse saying?
1. The pastors will be called by God, not man - God has strict guidelines for pastors and holds them to a higher standard. A pastor called by man only will focus on keeping men happy, not God.
2. They will follow God's heart in how He wants His people led - Sure, it may not make sense to the Israelites, but if God says it needs to be done, they should follow.
3. Their duty is (not so) simple - feed God's children with knowledge and understanding. Sure, this will cause some to be mad at the pastor, but the Bible is not a feel-good bedtime story. It is a love letter from God to His children and the whole counsel of Scripture must be taught. The Israelites were going to be told that idol worship is wrong and focusing on self is not the way to please God.
I know your pastor. I have lived with him for many years. I can tell you, without bias, that the man you see on Sunday is the man I see every day. He spends time on his knees, begging God for wisdom to lead God's church and praying for his people. Many nights he spends lying awake, agonizing over decisions made by God's people that aren't pleasing to Him. The leadership he provides comes directly from God and while we may not understand the direction, we must follow him as he follows God. Many joke that he only works three hours a week and I can tell you -being a pastor means being on call 24/7.
He also has many joys. Seeing those that were children when we arrived grow into young adults with a heart for Christ and serving in His church is like a ray of sunshine in his life. Seeing the kids that have been born in the last 15 years growing and learning through his ministry as well as the adults who have grown and matured in their faith gives him a renewed sense of purpose and zeal to continue in God's work.
This Sunday (and everyday) say a special prayer for your pastor, and all the pastors in your life. You never know the burdens they carry silently.
C
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1 Comment
We love our pastor and the words you write are so correct! I watched my dad growing up. A man called of God is so much more than people could even start to imagine! Many of them would tap out because it's too much. It takes the calling and help of God to endure and until you have walked in those shoes, careful what you say or think. You might be embarrassed and realize you are not as tough as you thought you were...LOL! Let's all strive to grow in our Lord and the only way that will happen is to not only be a hearer of the word but a doer. Daily bible reading? Our pastor is trying to help us grow by encouraging us to do this. Pastors are special people with a special calling! We should always remember them in our prayers.