Open up, ancient gates! Open up, ancient doors, and let the King of glory enter. - Psalm 24:7
Psalm 24 speaks of the king of glory, our heavenly shepherd, entering heaven in triumph. He shall come to judge the living and the dead (2 Timothy 4:1). When he does appear, he will have crowns of glory in his hand for the shepherds of his flock (1 Peter 5:4). Hebrews tells us that the God of peace, who brought Jesus from the dead, will equip us with all we need for doing his will (Hebrews 13:20-21).
Those of us who have the priceless privilege of caring for the flock can know he will help us to do that. He is the great shepherd who has equipped us with great gifts. He does not ask us to chase after wayward sheep without a rod and a staff. He shows us how to prod people’s consciences and rescue them from the folly of their own bad choices. Not only is he my model, he is my might. What greater joy than to have the crown of well-doing placed upon my head and see his smile?
I never thought of myself as a leader. It was only as I followed that I led. Unless we learn to follow, we shall never learn to lead. As I began to take opportunities and responsibilities in my church, I found myself with a flock that needed care. The sobering fact is I must answer for that privilege to God, who is determined to hold me to account!
For Further Study: Psalm 24:1-10
Excerpted from The One Year Devotions for Women, Copyright ©2000 by Jill Briscoe. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers. All rights reserved.
For more from Jill Briscoe, please visit TellingtheTruth.org.
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