I AM PERSUADED THAT HE IS ABLE:
TO LEAD AND TO LOVE
Isaiah 40:10 Behold, the Lord GOD will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him. 11 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.
Ever since I was young, I have always liked the contrast between chocolate and vanilla. Maybe because my dad loved chocolate and my mom loved vanilla. I love chocolate cake with vanilla icing. I love black and white cookies. I like sundaes with vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce over it. I like the combination better than I like either on their own. Ok, maybe I have put too much thought into this.
Verses ten and eleven are kind of vanilla and chocolate together. I love the contrast. I love that we serve a God that is strong (vs10), and gentle (vs11). We serve a God that rules (vs10), and feeds (vs11). We serve a God that judges the unjust (vs10), and yet lovingly carries His sheep (vs11).
Don’t you love these verses. What a God. He rules and reigns with power and might. Yet, He gathers, feeds, and gently carries His precious sheep in His bosom. He rules creation, and yet gently leads the young believer. I remember:
* Isaiah 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
While pondering that verse I also remember:
* Luke 15: 4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? 5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. 7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
It is amazing that we serve the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. But to me, it is unbelievable to think that very King died for me, feeds me, carries me, provides for me, and loves me like a shepherd to his sheep. We are so blessed today!