Christian Counseling Service -- Devotions

The lamb's tale

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Matthew 11:12-13
Jesus spoke, "From the days of John the Baptist until now,the Kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent are taking it by force ... He who has ears, let him hear."

Micah 2:12-13
I will surely gather all of you, O Jacob; I will surely bring together the remnant of Israel. I will bring them together like sheep in a pen, like a flock in its pasture; the place will throng with people.

One who breaks open the way will go up before them; they will break through the gate and go out. Their king will pass through before them, the Lord at their head."

John 10:3-5
Jesus speaks, "The shepherd calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger ..."

I shivered with fear. "Don't hurt me, man. Don't!" We bleated in terror as the wolves circled our flock. Rain pelted the dry dirt of the desert. Darkness was not far away. The wolves were hungry. I was going to die.

On the highest hill the silhouette of a lion appeared. He roared. The wolves scattered. But relief was short when we saw the lion. Wasn't he hungry too? He was a killer too. I'm sure I'm going to die soon. Gradually we're pushed into a box canyon where we can't escape. Here the lion can take his time and eat us slowly. He can bring his pride and our slaughter will be more swift. We will be eaten. We will all be gone forever.

Night fell. I screamed in panic. The sky cleared finally, and the stars were cold and far away. I ran in circles, and so did my family and friends. We couldn't get far. The canyon held us fast.

Much of the night passed. Against my will, I began to see that none of us was being killed or even chased, except by each other. The lion was gone. He would be back, I was sure of it. But finally, when I couldn't hold my eyes open any longer, I slept.

I must have slept for hundreds of years. My body was so stiff and my eyes were crusted shut when I began to hear the sounds around me. There was movement, my family was stirring, up and shaking off the night. We heard a new voice. Or maybe it it wasn't new at all. I knew who was calling, but ... like a dream ... I couldn't say his name, but I knew ... was this the lion?

Some of us found the gate. There was a way into this canyon, and now we were going out. I was waking up now. It wasn't hard to do this. The voice calling us out sang like music, and I felt more and more free. I could see food and water and plenty of room to run, and a place to rest with the sun warming every inch of my face and skin.

And then I heard my name.

All my life is like a day to you, oh Lord, and your protection perfect every second of the day. No fear.

Here is an interesting analysis of Matthew 11:12-13:

http://www.seedofabraham.net/kingdomv.html

Devotions Archive

The lamb's tale

Thursday, December 11, 2008