A Kingdom Without A King (II) : Sheep Without Shepherd

A Kingdom Without A King (II) : Sheep Without Shepherd

After that whole generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation grew up, who knew neither the Lord nor what he had done for Israel. Judges 2:10

 Bible Reading: Psalms 23: 1 – 6

Yesterday we started reflecting on another generation of Israelites that grew up without knowing God (Judges 2:8-15). We understood that their ignorance was a product of their upbringing. There was no one to lead, teach, guide and instruct them in the knowledge of God because Joshua and the generation that experienced God’s miraculous acts had died in the wilderness. Unfortunately, this generation refused to pass-on the knowledge before they died.  This brought about evil consequences on the new generation. May God help us raise a generation of men and women that truly know God and raise godly homes.

Today, we want to further explore what it means to be a sheep without a shepherd. The Psalmist understood the benefit of having a shepherd when he said that “the Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want” (Psalms 23:1). A shepherd guides, feeds and tends the sheep, he is the eyes and ears of the sheep. Show me a flock without a shepherd and I will tell you the disaster that awaits such a flock. When Joshua and his whole generation died, the Israelites lost a shepherd who would have led them to the Good Shepherd. They were left in the dark, no wonder there was chaos, lawlessness and disorder. The Israelites went into idolatry and the consequences of their ungodliness and disobedience was slavery, unceasing battle and maltreatment from the enemies.

Furthermore, they lacked a sense of direction. Again, the Psalmist says, He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake (Psalms 23:3). There was neither a relationship with God nor His priest and prophet who could have inquired before the Lord for the people. The Israelites became directionless and visionless because they had no Shepherd. They lived for themselves, disobeyed God’s statues which were given by God to their forefathers. Dear friends, Is God the Shepherd over your life? To enjoy the benefits written in Psalms 23 you need to have a relationship with Jesus, the Good Shepherd.

Daily Confession: Father Lord, I come to you today, please help me to know you more as the Good Shepherd.

Hymn: I am Thine, O Lord, I have heard Thy voice,

             And it told Thy love to me;

             But I long to rise in the arms of faith,

             And be closer drawn to Thee.

             Draw me nearer, nearer blessed Lord.