As I wander in the woods near my home, I miss the meadows and fields of England. I spent two years in Great Britain. My family traveled all over England, Scotland, and Wales. I remember wandering the highlands of Scotland and picking heather off the shores of the lochs we visited. The mountains and shores of Wales with their impressive castles are etched in my memory.
I loved watching the shepherds use their dogs to work their sheep down from high meadows to local pastures. The sheep would move like a school of fish, all tight together. Sometimes one would break away from the flock. With one quick whistle, the shepherd would send a dog or two to retrieve the runaway. I never did figure out why sometimes it was one dog, other times two. No matter how many dogs the shepherd sent, the sheep always returned to the safety of the flock.
As the shepherd returns home after collecting his sheep, he takes time to praise his dogs and make sure they are healthy and have food and water. He tends to them just as he does his flock. He cares for them and trains them well. They know their shepherd and respond to his whistles and signals. They know him very well and respond quickly.
Just as sheep know their master’s voice, so do the dogs. God’s people know His voice as do the angels who fight battles for us. There are many days that I feel like a sheep, going with the flock of Christians around me. Sometimes I go off on my own, and He brings me back. No matter what I choose I am loved and welcomed back with open arms when I wander off.
After my dad passed away and I miscarried three times, I was broken. Deep, curl into a ball and not come out, hurt. I did not want to be around people, but having a three-year-old meant I had to go outside. God sent Jesus’ love to comfort me, to bind up my deep wounds. He sent women who are still dear friends to draw me out of the house. Those ladies prayed over me and poured God’s love into me.
One of those dear friends told me to look at Isaiah 61:1-3.
“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor;
he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives,
and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor,
and the day of vengeance of our God;
to comfort all who mourn;
to grant to those who mourn in Zion—
to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness instead of mourning,
the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit;
that they may be called oaks of righteousness,
the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.”
Isaiah 61:1-3
After reading these verses I could see the Trinity. Jesus quoted these verses in Luke 4:18-19. They remind me of how much God cares for me, heals me, binds up my broken heart, and comforts me. He loves us so much. This week I will reflect on how God has blessed and healed me. I will also work on opening my heart for more healing and guidance.
What hurts are you hoping for God to heal? Who do you know that is hurting and how can you help them by sharing the good news of our Great Physician and Good Shepherd with them?
Photo by James McGill on Unsplash
Comments