Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8: 35-39(NIV)
All Like Sheep
Deciphering the truth in the flood of news is almost impossible, you need some sort of prophetic discernment. Who really knows what is going on?
Simply going to the grocery store is enough to make any of us feel completely bereft. We now have an unprecedented amount of unemployed people in our country, let alone the world. The question bubbling just under the surface of all this confusion is, are you more worried about getting this virus or about your financial well being?
This current crisis is breeding unparalleled fear, confusion, and suspicion. Loneliness abounds. We don’t know who to trust, some of us do not know how we will pay for our rent, let alone our next round of groceries. Some of us are immune compromised or have loved ones who are. Neither can afford to get sick. The burden of worrying about all of this, trying to figure it all out is just too much.
The domino effect of this world wide pandemic is potentially staggering. We are all connected on levels we’ve never realized or understood. What affects one will eventually affect another.
The loss is great. The fear of what might be is great.
Once again, I find myself realizing how utterly and completely dependent I am on my Lord for my daily bread, daily provisions- for everything. It has struck me anew how like lost sheep we are. We need a shepherd, someone to care for and guide us.
I’ve caught myself wishing for eternity. This world is so freaking painful. Who can stand it? I have felt helpless and hopeless, lost in the whirlwind of too much pain and sorrow. It is all too much. As I have grieved and worried about too many what ifs, anxiety rubbing me raw, the Lord whispered to me, showing me a sweet glimpse of how he must see all of us – His sheep. How much He actually loves us. Hope is not lost.
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
2 Peter 3:9
We are his sheep, the people of his pasture. He is a good and kind shepherd. He is here with us, He has not forsaken us. He is slow to act because He loves us. His will is that each of us would come to Him, to His saving grace. He wills that each of us would reach out and follow the good shepherd. He is offering us redemption, wholly and completely. He is calling all of His lost sheep into his fold. He is calling all of us who are weary and heavy burdened. Come. His burden is easy, his yoke is light (Matthew 11:28-30).
Come, come soon, dear ones, do not delay:
But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. 2 Peter 3:10
Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him 2 Peter 3:15
Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen. 2 Peter 3:17 -18