I had slept very badly, and awoke way too early. I went ahead and started the day and got a cup of coffee (which I don't like, but...it works.) I read my devotionals, then let God know how I felt. Which was "lousy"! I'm still sick, and I really need Him to help me figure things out. ("Please! This isn't easy! I need You so much.")
After breakfast, I opened the daily devotional that we read aloud. It started with this verse:
"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, but the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will shepherd the flock with justice." (Ezekiel 34:15-16) (Oh, my! Thanks, Lord!)
Two different kinds of sheep...illustrating two kinds of people...hmm...and I remembered this poem I wrote when I was 17 years old. ("Youth in Action" magazine had a creative writing contest, and I sent this in...and won second prize.)
Remember, I was only 17, so it may not seem so terribly profound and earth-shaking! (Actually, the first prayer has a lot of whimsical satire!) But somehow it matched the verse I read this morning. Here it is:
TWO PRAYERS
Here I am, Lord - in person!
your servant so humble;
I've not come to mumble
a word to the air,
but to lift up my voice,
so choked with emotion;
religious devotion
resounds through my prayer.
I'm sure that You realize
why it is I here stand,
and with uplifted hand
pour my heart out to Thee.
My brothers must see
of obedience a sample...
What better example
to follow than...me?
See that man in the corner!
He must be quite poor,
kneeling down on the floor -
why, he's praying!
I thank You, oh Lord,
that I'm not like that fellow,
a big streak of yellow
who hides what he's saying.
And he's down by a pillar
where no one can see him!
Oh, Lord, should I free him
from being so blind?
So simple his thoughts are,
no meaning his words bear.
If You want a good prayer,
just listen to mine!
That's all for today, Lord;
tomorrow's oration
same time and same station
I'll be here to give.
Oh, please bless the Mrs.
and all of our kin.
By the way, thanks again
for the good life I live.
________
Oh, Lord, I deserve not
thy presence to seek.
You're strong and I'm weak.
Show me mercy!
I'm just a beginner,
an unworthy sinner;
but, Lord, to thy servant
show mercy!
**************************** - Becky Rhon
The publican is the "injured" and "weak" sheep, who is promised personal care by his Shepherd, and the Pharisee is the "fat" and "strong" one. Although "fatness" tends to mean prosperity, in the Bible it can, as it does here, refer to a prosperity that results in a hard heart and makes one forget God. (And if you have loved ones who are of the "lost" and "stray" sheep, take heart! God will continue to search for them and "bring them back"!)
*********************
Jesus, thank You for being my Shepherd!
Thank You for tending me,
Thank You for showing me mercy.
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