He also chose David His servant, And took him from the sheepfolds; From following the ewes that had young He brought him, To shepherd Jacob His people, And Israel His inheritance. So he shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart, And guided them by the skillfulness of his hands.
Psalm 78:70-72
The Lord chose a man after His own heart to lead His people. According to this psalm they were a people who saw God’s wonders, benefited from His miracles, said they would follow Him, and then tested Him over and over again. Despite their constant unfaithfulness He remained faithful; never stirring up His full wrath against them. He fed them in the wilderness but they complained while the food was still in their mouths!
God disciplined them to repentance. Still they kept returning to their shallow acknowledgement of His place in their lives. Then God gave them a great shepherd named David to lead them. They followed for most of His generation then turned away so that God sent them into exile. An exile they still haven’t returned from.
We have done the same thing. Again and again we have declared our fealty for the Father yet returned to our sin like a dog to its vomit. He has provided for us at every turn and still we complain that He has not made thing satisfactory for us. He has given us the Great Shepherd in His own Son Jesus. He, like David, is guiding with integrity and skill. Today I set my heart to follow Him – without complaint (help me Jesus).
Lord, let me do everything without arguing and complaining that I might shine like You in this broken world. Let Your glory unveiled be seen in my face. Walk closely to me to guard my mouth that I would only build up and never tear down. Let Your Day be a day of rejoicing not vanity for me. (Philippians 2:14-16) Shore up my integrity; increase my skill.
Leaning On Him,
Pastor Jason
Good post! May Jesus help me and my mouth too. I love you Babe.
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