Thoughts for Life: #45 The Shepherd Must be with His People in their Times of Need

Dr. Wesley L. Duewel: Just as David knew that God his Shepherd was near him ("you are with me"—Ps. 23:4). especially in every time of need, so your people must know that you, their shepherd, are always available and ready to share their hours of need.

In times of sickness, death, family problems, or other crises of life, you as shepherd must get to your people as quickly as possible. Often you can help meet their need, but always your presence with them is reassuring. That is what a shepherd is for. David was strengthened because, as he said to God, "You are with me." (Google image, David the shepherd)

Often you as shepherd may hardly know what to say; you cannot provide answers they so much long for. But you can be with them. Then is the time to show Christ's understanding love. Then is the time to rejoice with those who rejoice and to weep with those who weep (Rom. 12:15).

Such moments of need take priority over almost all else. You as shepherd may not be able to stay as long as you would like. In fact, it may not be wise for you to make a long visit at such times. But at least you must go, touch their lives with blessing, and pray with them.

There are times you may be able to sit quietly for a longer time beside a hospital bed, just to be with them. If not, drop by for a moment; prayer is often the most important blessing you can leave. If you are known as a person of God and of prayer, your intercession will be all the more desired, meaningful, and depended on.

Sometimes a spiritual crisis of an unsaved person unrelated to the congregation, or long prayed for by the congregation, may take precedence over a health crisis in a member of the congregation.

This will normally be understood if you as shepherd have prepared your people by teaching them constant concern for the unsaved. They will understand why such a crisis in an unsaved person takes priority over all else. The shepherd leaves the ninety-nine in the fold to aid the one who is lost.

Some of the blessings David received from God his Shepherd are such that only God can give. Only He can anoint with the Spirit (symbolized by the anointing oil). Only God is the source of the divine goodness and love.

But if you as a shepherd of God's people follow the preceding five roles patterned after God's own shepherding, you will be the constant blessing to His people that God expects you to be. It was for this that God called you to be a shepherd. (These are covered in the preceding posts, #41-44).

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Used by permission of the author and Duewel Literature Trust, Inc., Greenwood, Indiana. Creative reading style by Jean.

Ablaze for God
#45 The Shepherd Must be with His People in Their Times of Need
by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel
(pp. 151-152) ZondervanPublishingHouse

Prayerful hands

Father, as leaders in our churches, help us be available and ready to share in the needs with those we lead, whether in a class, special meeting, or as their shepherd.

There'll be times we'll not know what to say, and won't have all the answers, but we know that our being with them will show them

the love of Christ.

When there is rejoicing, may we rejoice with them, encouraging them to be thankful. In times of grief, may our hearts break with them, assuring them from Your Word that You understand and are present to comfort them.

Help us remember that You are the source of divine goodness and love.

In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

Today's Bible verses-

Deut. 13:4 (KJV) "Ye shall walk after the LORD your God,
and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his
voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him."

Philippians 4:7 (NASB) "Be anxious for nothing, but

in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving

let your requests be made known to God. And the peace

of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard

your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Phil. 2:13,14 (KJV) "For it is God which worketh in

you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. (14) Do

all things without murmurings and disputings."

Our quote today A portion of Lee Forbes's poem:

Love's Preparation

"And have you at your rising in the morning from your bed

The wonder and amazement of His presence in your head

That draws you ever quickly to converse awhile with Him

Before the worldly pressures make you focus more on them

Those pressures found in business or in family or friends

That if allowed priority continue without ends

To keep you from the one thing that is central to your life

The one thing that is waiting filled with peace among the strife

That time of sweet devotion when all else is laid aside

When with God's Holy Spirit you as one with Him abide

Exploring in the scriptures all the gifts He has for you

Awakening a purpose in the work He'd have you do . . ."

Today's question-

Why do we need one another?

Good question! Have you begun to understand God's ways, that He uses others to help us learn how to live peaceably? No doubt it is a hard time of learning for those who are self willed, and who've
purposely chosen not to do what's best in God's sight.
When we submit to a local church, we are confirming that the things taught there are right. In our on-going relationship with the folks who attend there, our faith is tested and tried. We actually need these opportunities to grow in our relationship ability. We need one another, as it tends to transform us through guidelines of truth about behavior.
Wherever we are, we are to serve Christ. Good attitudes are what help us to have healthy hearts. We are changed with our encounters with Christ, and bearing fruit as evidence. The working of the Spirit within us is evident through the process of transformation over time. Our hope of eternal life leads us to be cooperative in God's efforts to prepare us for heaven.

Upcoming posts-

#46 The Shepherd's Accountability

19th- Thursday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel

Self-Discipline: The Missing Element in Christianity
21st- Saturday's post by James H. Cagle

#47 Questions You will Face Before God
24th- Tuesday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel

#48 Your Accountability as a Leader, Part 1
26th- Thursday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel