Description
Meditation on God’s character: The Pastor/Shepherd
In this meditation, we explore the character of God as a pastor, or … (visit YouTube for more)
Transcript
In our next meditation on the character of God, we reflect on God as pastor. Pastor is a word from the Latin, which means shepherd. God is pastor and shepherd towards us.
Look at this, Isaiah, chapter 40, verse 11. He will tend his flock like a shepherd. He will gather the lambs in his arms. He will carry them in his bosom and gently lead those that are with young.
This is Isaiah talking about God, who he is, who he’s going to be to his people. Tending his flock like a shepherd means bringing that flock, bringing those people into safety, bringing the people to a place where they’ll be comfortable and well fed.
Gathering the lambs in his arms. That’s such a tender expression, isn’t it? Those who are particularly vulnerable, he brings to himself and carries himself personally. It says he will carry them in his bosom. The young and vulnerable are held tightly to God In the safest place it is possible to be.
He gently leads those who were with young. He ensures that those who have greater need, those who are caring for others are brought forward with gentleness.
There’s so much that we can learn about God and about how we should behave from this verse. If we have responsibility for any other people at all in any capacity, are we leading them like a shepherd? Are we making sure these people for whom we’re responsible are safe, are looked after, are provided for, have what they need, whether that’s to perform a task, to do work, to do study, to undertake household duties?
Are we shepherding our people in that way? Are we operating with gentleness and kindness and lovingness towards those who are vulnerable, or who have greater demands on their own resources?
This is God the Shepherd. This is God, the ultimate Pastor. For these amazing characteristics we worship and honour him.
