Psalm 100:3. Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Ah Friends, once again the people are jumping and singing: ‘TGIF! TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday!’ Yes, that most enamoured day of the week is here, and all over the planet, weekends are being planned. But whether it’s a heavy partying weekend we’re planning, or just a simple stay at home one, let’s remember to include God in our plans, for He wants to, in fact He delights in playing a vital role in all our doings. So without further ado, let’s chant our Friday Chant: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through another week of work! It hasn’t been easy, but with your generous help, I made it through. Now, please help me to get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that I can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out and do it all over again next week, furthering your glorious kingdom with each step I take. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.’ And having put the Lord on notice that we expect Him to be an important part of our weekend, let’s turn to our Bit, which so simply, but so profoundly explains our relationship to God. ‘Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.’ Yes Friends, that’s exactly how the situation lines up! The Lord is Sovereign God. He created us, therefore we belong to Him. Matter finished! Now yesterday we looked at scriptures pertaining to the first half of our Bit: ‘Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us.’ Today, let’s check out some that pertain to the second half: ‘we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.’ And we don’t have to look very far, just back to Psalm 95, where the psalmist joyfully declares: ‘O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker. For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand (under his care)…’ (Ps.95:6-7) Note that since Israel was an agrarian society, the writers used agrarian terms to explain many things, because the people were familiar with them and would more fully understand their discourse. Next up is Isaiah, who in talking about comfort through trust in God, weighs in with: ‘He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.’ (Is.40:11) Oh my brethren, what a beautiful portrait Isaiah paints there of Jesus! Can’t you just picture Him carrying us in His LOVING arms, feeding us with tender care, and kindly leading those with young children! And not to be outdone, Ezekiel boldly proclaims: ‘Thus shall they know that I the Lord their God am with them, and that they, even the house of Israel, are my people, saith the Lord God. And ye my flock, the flock of my pasture, are men, and I am your God, saith the Lord.’ (Ezek.34:30-31) Oh my people, how much encouragement and reassurance do we need to believe, to surrender, to put our total trust in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob eh? Having created us, He’s promised every which way to lead, guide, provide and safely keep us. We only need to believe that He is who He says He is, then give our hearts, bodies, minds and souls to Him. Granted, it’s not an easy proposition, but there are numerous examples in His Word and in the world that He exists, is faithful and true. So what are we waiting for eh? ‘Let’s enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.’ (Ps.100:4-5) And that’s the gospel truth my people! So let’s praise and worship our God and Maker in sincerity and truth nuh. It’s the only sensible option open to us. Much LOVE!…like the potter moulds the clay…the Lord moulds us into the persons…He desires us to be…
SCRIP-BITS 