Issue 1603 – Herded – November 16, 2024
The day’s events remain fresh in my memory. Many years ago, Kathy and I took a summer drive to an old campground on the lake. Over the years, I had been involved in several men’s fishing retreats there, but Kathy had never been out to that lake. The facility was still there, although the province was no longer maintaining it.
We parked and walked around. To our surprise, a big old border collie came to check us out. He likely lived in one of the homes not far away. He was starved for affection and immediately adopted me. Wherever we walked, he was at my side, getting petted.
Finally, it was time for us to leave. He didn’t want to see us go. As we tried to drive away, he went into classic collie mode and tried to herd us back to our parking space. If I cut to the left, he moved in front of us to the left and then lay down. If I moved to the right, he did as well. If I tried to go straight, he went to the front of the van.
It took some time before we were able to get clear of him. He was very determined that we could be herded into staying.
His determination reminded me in a strange way of the Holy Spirit. Holy Spirit never gives up on us. He wants to see us drawn into the fold with Christ and Father. He testifies to us about Jesus. He convicts us of our sin. He’s constantly at work to help us find our way to salvation.
He does all that because Father loves us and wants us to choose Him. The Apostle Peter writes of waiting for Jesus’ return.
This is now the second letter that I am writing to you, beloved. In both of them I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles, knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.” For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God,and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished. But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you,not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 2 Peter 3:8-9
That gives me hope as I wait for His return. I have friends and family who don’t yet know Him. As much as I eagerly await His return, I long for those friends and family members to find their true freedom in Him. I know He’s on their trail and calling to them. My prayer for them is that they listen.
Until next time, rejoice that He loved you enough to track you down and herd you back to the fold. Rejoice that He’s still out there herding the lost.
Hallelu Yah / Praise God
Kevin
Gleanings From The Word
Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.
Soli Deo Gloria (For the glory of God alone)
Never let the enemy tell you that you are worthless or insignificant. Your value in God’s eyes is so great that it was worth dying for. You are a blessing to the world. You are so precious to God that his plan for heaven will not be complete without you.
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