Then I Myself will gather the remnant of My flock from all the lands to which I have banished them, and I will return them to their pasture, where they will be fruitful and multiply. I will raise up shepherds over them who will tend them, and they will no longer be afraid or dismayed, nor will any go missing, declares the LORD. vs3-4

This is a word that I needed today. The false shepherds shall be broken, shown to be utter vanity, and true shepherds will arise over God’s elect, feeding them with knowledge and comfort. The dominion of Satan will end for everyone God’s purposed to save! He will not let the elect perish.

First, we see wickedness all around us [vs1]!

“Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of My pasture!” declares the LORD.

The powerful don’t heed warnings, and their people love to have it so: They have itching ears for false prophets and do not want rebuke [2 Tim 4:3]. They want smooth things and prophecies of plenty. They want money building sermons and wealth techniques. They want to give money to get money, but they do not want God, and it is dreadful, an offence to God, and a shock to the godly.

Yet, God has people who can’t be stopped from obtaining the inheritance, and we labor for them!

“But the word of God cannot be chained! For this reason I endure all things for the sake of the elect, so that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.” [2 Tim 1:9-10]

It might be one in a city or two of a family; it might be a small number, or He may save a continent in revival. Whatever the numbers, God will save everyone in the Book of Life, and we are included.

“And all who dwell on the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written from the foundation of the world in the Book of Life belonging to the Lamb who was slain [Rev 13:8].”

Secondly, be thankful that God is in charge [Jer 23:2-3]!

Therefore this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says about the shepherds who tend My people: “You have scattered My flock and driven them away, and have not attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for the evil of your deeds, declares the LORD.

Then I Myself will gather the remnant of My flock from all the lands to which I have banished them, and I will return them to their pasture, where they will be fruitful and multiply.”

He has power to save from Satan, and His arm is not shortened! Most people reject warnings and look upon us as zealous madmen… or people they’d like to imitate (but not right now,) and we must ride alone like Jeremiah, bearing the heat and scoffs.

God is with us, however, and His word shall prevail. Not only does He control events, but He uses them to reinforce His word and shake the confidence of idolaters! Covid-19 is serving Him. Plagues and viruses serve Him. World economies collapse to serve Him. All things serve Him to save the elect, and they will be delivered from bondage!

Thirdly, bless God, the deliverance is real [vs4]!

“I will raise up shepherds over them who will tend them, and they will no longer be afraid or dismayed, nor will any go missing, declares the LORD.”

The Eternal God will give freedom where there were chains! He will give hope where there was slavery to legality, slavery to preachers, and slavery to superstitions. Men who “covered everything with the blood,” will realize the blood covers them - not as a good luck charm to ward off evil, but as an actual atonement, reconciliation with God, and the security of all things working for good. Instead of being afraid of the future and fearing death, they’ll know the blood stained hands of Jesus rule this world, loved me unto death, and He will never do anything without grace sufficient.

Therefore, since we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from wrath through Him! [Rom 5:8]

Bless God, in our weakness we are made strong, so we are invincible, because He’s with us in conquering grace - grace that doesn’t demand any strength from man or any righteousness; it is the grace of God who USES Satan, forgives our sin, and gives us grace to overcome… grace that makes trials work for our good.