Morning Devotional 052126 The Good Shepherd

Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room

May 21, 2026

Ezekiel 34:16-24

This is what the LORD God says. 16 I will seek out the lost, bring back the strays, bind up the wounded, and strengthen the weak. But the fat and the strong I will destroy, because I will tend my sheep with justice. 17 As for you, my flock, the LORD God proclaims: I will judge between the rams and the bucks among the sheep and the goats. 18 Is feeding in good pasture or drinking clear water such a trivial thing that you should trample and muddy what is left with your feet? 19 But now my flock must feed on what your feet have trampled and drink water that your feet have muddied. 20 So the LORD God proclaims to them: I will judge between the fat and the lean sheep. 21 You shove with shoulder and flank, and with your horns you ram all the weak sheep until you’ve scattered them outside. 22 But I will rescue my flock so that they will never again be prey. I will even judge between the sheep! 23 I will appoint for them a single shepherd, and he will feed them. My servant David will feed them. He will be their shepherd. 24 I, the LORD, will be their God, and my servant David will be their prince. I, the LORD, have spoken. 

Good Morning! The Lord is our Shepherd

As a society, we are a mess. Comparing our actions to those of rams and bucks among the sheep and goats is understandable. The concept of trampling good pasture and muddying clear water defines us across the generations. We continually attack the natural resources that God provides. 

I see this same imagery applicable to our interactions with each other. Some push and shove their way to get what they want. Throughout history, we, God’s children, have been victims to those who get what they want by taking it from the weak, poor, and downtrodden. 

During David’s reign as earthly king, he was anointed to shepherd God’s children. When God sent Jesus to walk among us, he first became our earthly shepherd, and when we returned to God, the Holy Spirit arrived to accompany us on our pathways. 

This is what the LORD God says. 16 I will seek out the lost, bring back the strays, bind up the wounded, and strengthen the weak. But the fat and the strong I will destroy, because I will tend my sheep with justice. 

God of Love, you bless us abundantly! We are often tired and feeling lost. Thank you for sending Jesus to guide us and be with us always. Thank you. We love you. In Christ’s name we pray, Amen.

Thought for the day: Be grateful for God’s presence in our daily lives.

Jesus said, “I am the great shepherd! Follow me”  Pastor Liz