The Good and Faithful Shepherd

Opening up email this morning, I read some very exciting news about the other side of the world. The Christmas boxes that my grandchildren had sponsored were delivered. Yippee! This is such a double blessing for us. Double blessing? You see, the Samaritan Purse boxes that my grandchildren sponsored had been delivered to children who live Iraq, which as God would have it, is in the same North Africa/Middle East region where they live. Blessings on blessings! I can’t wait to hear their little squeals of delight.

This news is especially poignant because I also read this morning that the BBC reported, “a wave of apparently coordinated bomb attacks in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, has killed at least 63 people and injured around 185, say officials. The interior ministry told the BBC 14 blasts hit various locations. The bombings are the worst in months and follow the withdrawal of US troops… [This event is especially heinous because one of the targets]…was children’s schools” (BBC, Dec 22, 2011).

Of course, I am wondering if children were hurt in these blasts. Moreover, I am wondering if the two events were connected in anyway…Could the children in Iraq who received our Christmas boxes, been involved and could they have possibly been hurt or worse. From my perspective since I read both events almost in tandem, it sounds possible, but in reality, not likely.
However, I do know one thing…Our God is strong. His name is Faithful and He loves His sheep and lambs. This is His promise. Isaiah 40: 9-11 says,

“Get you up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good news; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good news; lift it up, fear not; say to the cities of Judah, “Behold your God!” Behold, the Lord GOD comes with might, and his arm rules for him; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. 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”.

Fear not, behold your God, our God. “The good Shepherd has tender care for children… for young converts… that are setting out in the way to heaven… for weak believers… and those that are of a sorrowful spirit. He will gather them in the arms of His power; His strength shall be made perfect in their weakness, 2 Corinthians 12:9. He will gather them in when they wander, gather them up when they fall, gather them together when they are dispersed, and gather them home to Himself at last; and all this with His own arm, out of which none shall be able to pluck them, John 10:28. He will carry them in the bosom of His love and cherish them there. When they tire or are weary, are sick and faint, when they meet with foul ways, he will carry them on, and take care they are not left behind” (Henry).

Fear not, behold our God, the Good and Faithful Shepherd.