Seeing the people, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd.
— Matthew 9:36 —
Vitaliy Pelikhatyy: Word of Grace Bible Institute | USA
A.W. Tozer wrote that what we think of God is the most important thing about us. Tozer rightly perceived that our view of God defines us and how we relate to Him. If God is seen like Santa Claus, then we work hard to make sure that by year’s end we have been more nice than naughty to earn His favor. If He is like a benevolent heavenly grandfather, then it doesn’t matter how we live; He doesn’t care. Whatever your situation or circumstance, Jesus calls you today to turn to His compassion, to trust His care, to rest in His promises. If God is like a cosmic watchmaker who made the world and left it, then He is far away and irrelevant. What we think of God becomes even more significant when life is difficult. When that happens, is God punishing you? Is He able to help? Does He even care? In those moments, how you view God will determine your whole reality—giving you hope or driving you to despair, to God, or from God. Jesus, God in human flesh, tells us that He looks to our condition, not with judgment, simple acceptance, or disinterest, but with compassion. He cares about our pain, is aware of our suffering, and is concerned for our plight. He is the loving shepherd who gave His life for the sheep. Whatever your situation or circumstance, Jesus calls you today to turn to His compassion, to trust His care, to rest in His promises. He is there. He loves His sheep and wants to shepherd you in and through every circumstance of life. In family life, let Him be your loving Leader; in work, let him be your caring Master; in ministry, let him be your all-sufficient Shepherd.
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