False Shepherds*
The fact that false shepherds exist does not disprove the Authentic Good Shepherd’s care for you.
*Re-posted.
Occasionally when I am working with a couple preparing for marriage, it comes to light that one or both of them have been hurt by spiritual leaders who have let them down. My heart grieves when I run into this situation and I want to encourage them and any of you who are reading this that God takes it very seriously when one of his children is hurt by a faithless shepherd.
Many people have their faith shattered when a pastor they respect is exposed as a fraud. The Bible tells us that we are engaged in spiritual warfare and one of the enemy’s schemes is to plant fake shepherds among God’s flock. Many believers have been hurt and many unbelievers have been convinced that all of Christianity is a sham because of these charlatans.
God is quite aware of the presence of these imposters and he addresses them very clearly and forcefully. Remember when we talked about God’s Justice is a manifestation of his love?
Because he loves his flock, he will deal with anyone who takes advantage of his sheep!
Jeremiah 23:1–6 (ESV): 23 “Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture!” declares the Lord. 2 Therefore thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, concerning the shepherds who care for my people: “You have scattered my flock and have driven them away, and you have not attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for your evil deeds, declares the Lord. 3 Then I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them, and I will bring them back to their fold, and they shall be fruitful and multiply. 4 I will set shepherds over them who will care for them, and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall any be missing, declares the Lord.
5 “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. 6 In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which he will be called: ‘The Lord is our righteousness.’
I grieve when I think that many people have experience with “shepherds” who did not do good but caused harm. God really cares for the hurting and will hold those shepherds accountable (see v. 1-2).
He promises to gather the flock that has been scattered and will give them shepherds who will care for them. I pray if there is anyone reading this who has been let down by an evil shepherd that God has done that for you - that He has gathered you back into the fold where you are cared for by genuine spiritual leaders so that you “shall be fruitful and multiply” (3).
This is my favorite part: they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall any be missing.(v. 4).
I hope you will find a place to gather with God’s people and heal and grow. It is not mere humans that we put our trust in. It is the wise King who deals righteously and executes justice. Mere humans may fail you, but He will never fail you. The Lord is our righteousness. We find our righteousness in Him.
I want to encourage you and remind you as I have many times that God loves you and is never going to stop pursuing you.
Psalm 23:6 (NLT): Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.
“Surely good and God’s covenant love shall pursue me for the rest of my life!”
Wow! What an awesome idea that the Creator of the universe is pursuing you!
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