June 10 | Ezekiel 34:7-16

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DAILY READING

Ezekiel 34:7-16

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REFLECTION

God’s Care in Stormy Times

by Pr. Dave Mann

It was a time of international turbulence. The Assyrian empire that had decimated the northern kingdom of Israel was now at the mercy of Babylonia. Egypt marched north to assist Assyria and reclaim its ancient dominance. However, Babylonia would not be denied its day in the sun as the undisputed strongest military in the region. Jerusalem, the sole hold-out of the kingdom of Judah, was no match for the power of the East. The people of the southern kingdom, Judah, scattered to all the surrounding nations, seeking safety. Ezekiel was part of the earliest group of residents of Jerusalem, including King Jehoiachin, who were exiled to Babylonia (2 Kings 24:14). It was a time of instability. Hopelessness and despair filled the hearts of most.

Ezekiel was called to serve as one of the major prophets who ministered during this time of the Babylonian exile. The people of God no doubt wondered if the Lord had forgotten them.  There seemed to be no visible evidence that the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob was still concerned for them. Where was the God who had led them out of Egypt, through the Red Sea, cared for them miraculously in the wilderness, and brought them to their land in Canaan?

Have you lived through times when you wondered where God was? Perhaps you are in one of those times right now. Even if you had previously felt or seen the hand of the Lord God at work, you may now be confused by the events that are tempting you to doubt God’s love. 

The words of Ezekiel (chapter 34) were a bold message to the scattered people of the 6th century B.C. They are equally strong words for us in the 21st century. To those sheep who are scattered in various lands with seemingly no evidence of God at work, God states: “I myself will search for my sheep and look after them.”

For those who wonder where the tender mercies of the Lord are, he announces:“ As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep.” 

For those who feel like their lives are full of storms, the Lord of Life proclaims:“I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness.”

These are real promises for then and for now!

PRAYER

Lord God, there are times I walk as though you do not exist. I need your strong promises and the work of your Holy Spirit in my heart. I believe; help me in my unbelief. Thank you for the ministry of your prophet Ezekiel. May your words through him take root in my heart, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

June 9 | Luke 15:1-7

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DAILY READING

Luke 15:1-7

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REFLECTION

Lost and Found

by Elaine Pierce

Have you ever been lost? I mean really lost? In these days of Google Maps on our phones, it is pretty hard to lose our way, isn't it? I have a terrible sense of direction, and I am grateful for the

 technology that helps me get just about anywhere with confidence.

In today's passage, the shepherd in Jesus' parable realizes that one of his sheep is lost . As a responsible shepherd, he searches high and low for the sheep, and when he finds it, "he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.'" (v. 5-6).

What part did the sheep play in this parable? Did he realize he was lost? Did he attempt to find his way home? Did he thank the shepherd for rescuing him? Who initiated the search -the sheep or the shepherd? And what is the reaction in heaven when a sinner - a lost sheep - repents?

The people who were listening to Jesus were a mixed bag: tax collectors, 'sinners,' and the religious elite: the Pharisees and the teachers of the law. We know that the Pharisees were grumbling about this motley crowd: "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them (v. 2)" Instead of rebuking them, he tells this parable, and follows it with the Parable of the Lost Coin and the Parable of the Lost Son. I can imagine how these stories made their blood boil: how dare he talk like this! Is he implying that my good works, my daily prayers and my hours of study in the temple aren't what will grant me salvation? Is he saying that God cares about sinners and will do everything in his power to bring them back to saving faith? It would be a bitter pill to swallow for someone who was convinced that his good works - and his bloodline - were what punched his ticket to eternal life.

It's easy to see the roadblock that the Pharisees put up to understanding that Jesus was not impressed with their religiosity. He was ready, willing and able to 'put them on his shoulders and bring them home' if only they would open their hearts to him. My friends, let's ask Jesus each day to rescue us, and let's rest in his arms, knowing that he has paid the price. He is the good shepherd, and he will find us and bring us home - thanks be to God!

PRAYER

Lord, so often I want to rely on my own way, and I fail to turn to you and allow you to lead. Help me each day to surrender my will, my desires, and my thoughts to you, and to rest in the sure knowledge that you love me and have the best for me. When I lose my way - and I do - I rest in the sure knowledge that you will welcome me home with open arms. In your strong name I pray, Amen.

June 8 | John 14:1-7

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DAILY READING

John 14:1-7

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REFLECTION

Bring Me Home

by Mary Alice McGinnis

A dear friend of mine has a brother who recently purchased a home overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

When he first saw the home listed for sale, he made the decision to fly all the way from his primary home thousands of miles away, without his wife. As he walked through the home prior to purchasing it, he immediately fell in love with it. He and his wife decided to purchase this home. After the closing and the sale were complete, he was not able to get back to his new place for several weeks.

My friend and her husband live only a short distance from her brother’s new place. So, they spent many days there doing a lot of preparation work for her brother’s arrival. They cleaned inside and outside. They did a complete inventory of what the previous owner had left behind and purchased a few necessities they thought would be needed. When her brother arrived, he too made additional preparations for when his wife would arrive and see their new place for the very first time.

Can you imagine how the wife must have felt, waiting to see this new home for the first time? Can you feel what it must have been like to wonder if it would really feel like home, if costly repairs would be needed, if everything she would need would be there, and if she could be happy living there? Yet, during the whole process, she told her husband, “I trust you.”

In John 13, Jesus had just spent time with his disciples in the upper room. He had washed the disciples’ feet. He predicted Judas’ betrayal and Peter’s denial. He told them:

“My children, I will be with you only a little longer.” And “Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later.” 

On the doorstep of this disturbing news, Jesus tells them, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.”

But they had good reason to be troubled, didn’t they? Their Master, Teacher, the one they were counting on to be the Messiah, was saying He would be betrayed, would suffer and He would be leaving them.  

Jesus comforts them with these words:

“My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”

What is troubling you right now? Are there circumstances that seem to be spiraling out of control? Does it feel devastating and perhaps even that God has abandon you?

Hear the words of Jesus today. He never promised us a life without troubles. But He did promise that there is a way to have an untroubled heart amid a troubled life.

The way through the troubles? Trusting Jesus has gone before us. He made the way possible at the high cost of shedding His blood for us on the cross, as the perfect sacrifice for our sins. That is what He did to prepare the PERFECT home for us. He has ensured that all our needs will be met, because now we are the adopted children of the King of Kings and Lord or Lords. He, and no one else, paid the necessary price to make this dwelling place secure for us. When we trust in Him, we will experience ecstatic, eternal JOY in God’s presence in His house for eternity. This life will only be a distant memory. Do not let your hearts be troubled. He has prepared a place for YOU and YOU CAN TRUST HIM!

PRAYER

Jesus, it is so easy for my heart to become troubled. Help me to ground my security, not in the things of this world, but in YOU. You have a place prepared for me and You will take me there. In all the joys of Your heavenly mansions, all the things of this life will become a distant memory. Thank you, Jesus, for going the way of the cross for me to make this promise secure.