People Helping People
We are sheep before we are shepherds. We receive love, and then love always directs us to care for others.
“Now Haggai the prophet and Zecchariah...prophesied to the Jews in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel, who was over them. Then Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and Joshua son of Jozadak set to work to rebuild the house of God in Jerusalem. And the prophets of God were with them, supporting them...Who authorized you to rebuild this temple and to finish it?”...We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth...in the first year of Cyrus king of Babylon, King Cyrus issued a decree to rebuild this house of God." Ezra 5:1-17
Have you ever been told not to do something that you knew was right? The people had been told to stop building the temple and had stopped. Then Haggai and Zechariah shared the Word of God, and the people got back to work. The circumstances surrounding the work had not changed. There was opposition, but the people elevated God's Word above all else.
When questioned about their authority, the people said they were servants of God doing God's work. Identity precedes activity. Is that how we see our lives? Do you know you have a kingdom identity that is meant to guide your kingdom work? You are where you are for a reason. God wants you to be the light that shines where you are. There can be darkness all around you. That does not dim or diminish your call to continue the work. What work does God want you to do today? His love always directs us toward strengthening or helping other people.
“My heart, O God, is steadfast; I will sing and make music with all my soul. I will praise you, LORD, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples. For great is your love, higher than the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth. With God we will gain the victory” Psalms 108:1-13
The word David uses to describe his heart is steadfast. Have you ever used that to describe yourself? What does that mean? It does not mean being without doubt or uncertainty. It means his heart is decided. He stands firm in who he is and declares he is ready to be used for the purposes that God prepared for him. To be steadfast is to know who and whose you are. A steadfast heart does not shift during difficult seasons or conform to contemporary culture. For us, it is to be Christ-centered and to pick up our cross daily.
Like the people in Ezra, before David acts, he is strengthened. Do you see what strengthens David? The strength of God. He said he is steadfast because God's love is greater, higher, and stronger than anything he can face. Fear rises when we make God small and our problems big. Standing firm in our faith is realizing that the cornerstone of Christ can never be moved. We walk from a place of victory with the expectation that the Almighty will make a way through raging seas. What worry or concern is on your heart? Do you believe God can overcome it?
"His left arm is under my head and his right arm embraces me. Who is this coming up from the wilderness leaning on her beloved? Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame. I am a wall...I have become in his eyes like one bringing contentment...let me hear your voice!” Song of Songs 8:3-13
The picture of the bride is of one who leans on her bridegroom. To come out of the wilderness is to come out of a time of uncertainty. Like the people of Judah who continued God's work of building, the bride kept moving forward by leaning on her beloved. She described herself as a wall. Steadfast. Secure. Safe. She was strengthened by the one strong enough to keep her going. This is a picture of one spending time abiding in and relying on the one who strengthens.
Before we become people who can bring contentment to others, we have to know that we belong to the bridegroom. We listen to His voice, the voice of truth and comfort, the voice that gives us peace and wisdom. Then love directs our steps. God wants you to feel safe and secure before He sends you out to comfort others. He wants you to feel His arms around you and know He is always beside you.
“Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel...Woe to you shepherds of Israel who only take care of yourselves! Should not shepherds take care of the flock? You have not strengthened the weak or healed the sick or bound up the injured. You have not brought back the strays or searched for the lost...I myself will tend my sheep and have them lie down, declares the Sovereign LORD. I will search for the lost and bring back the strays. I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak...I will shepherd the flock with justice. I will place over them one shepherd...he will tend them; he will tend them and be their shepherd...I break the bars of their yoke and rescue them from the hands of those who enslaved them. Then they will know that I, the LORD their God, am with them and that they, the Israelites, are my people” Ezekiel 34:1-31
Some people may say they do not know what God wants them to do. They do not know their calling or kingdom identity. Perhaps it can help to read a passage about what not to do so you can eliminate the wrong road to travel. Rule number one: Do not make life all about yourself. Selfishness, self-protection, and living for oneself alone fuel fear, pride, and everything that lessens love. God warns the people not to be shepherds who do not care for others.
Look at God's response. He does not tell the people to do better. He declares that He will make the way. He said He would send one shepherd who would bring justice. Jesus said He is the Good Shepherd and His sheep know His voice. Jesus said if you know Him, you know the Father. God sent Jesus to tend His flock and free everyone who had been enslaved by sin. God said He did this so each of us would know that, like the bride, we are His and He is ours.
“Now about the collection for the Lord’s people...On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made. When Timothy comes, see to it that he has nothing to fear while he is with you, for he is carrying on the work of the Lord, just as I am. Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love." 1 Corinthians 16:1-23
Like a great sports coach, Paul strengthens the early followers of Jesus by speaking words of life. Why would he do this? Because life can be really hard. The news can be depressing. Trouble can seemingly be lurking everywhere, but truth tells us that God is greater. In a world of crazy, we can be strong and courageous. In a world of injustice, we can make a difference. Today's passages teach us that before God calls us to strengthen others, He strengthens us. He invites us to lean on Him, then do everything in love, knowing that He goes with us and before us.
David stood firm by remembering God's love has supreme authority. It never fails. Our confidence is not in our own ability but in our identity as people who walk in the authority we have in Christ. He is our Good Shepherd, and we are His sheep. He leads, and we follow, but we do so not as people who are afraid. We follow steadfastly, boldly, and with authority. The people were asked where their authority came from. Jesus told us that all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Him.
Ezekiel warned us not to make life's focus just about caring for ourselves. We are meant to be both sheep and shepherds. Look at Jesus. He came to seek the lost, strengthen the weak, heal the brokenhearted, and set the captives free. So we follow His lead. Like the bride, we lean on Him as we travel through the wilderness. Then we bring contentment to others as we look with Christlike eyes and speak with Ezra-like encouragement.
Paul said to stand firm in the faith, be courageous, be strong, and do everything in love. What does that mean to you? The way you do this may not be the same as others around you. You have a unique identity. Identity precedes activity with authority. What work has God given you to do today? Close your eyes and ask God to show you a face. Ask Him to show you someone who needs a good word. Remember who you are and whose you are. You belong to the Good Shepherd, and His sheep hear His voice. They do not have to come up with plans on their own. They listen to His good, pleasing, and perfect will for their lives. Lean on His strength and let His love direct your steps. You are where you are for a reason, and God has prepared good works for you to do right where you are.