“O little town of Bethlehem Ephrathah… “he who has ever-lived—God’s promised Messiah will come from you … In time, he will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord and the majesty of God’s name. His lambs will live securely; and his greatness will reach the ends of the earth. He will be our peace.” (pp Micah 5:2, 4–5)
Lord Jesus, Micah’s prophecy of your coming simply adds to the long list of reasons we adore and trust you. Today we’re especially moved to worship you for being the Shepherd-Savior you are to us. Having laid down your life as the Lamb of God, you arose to be our “Standing Shepherd”—relentlessly, tenderly, faithfully caring for us. Thank you for nourishing, feeding and resting us in green pastures of grace—even when other pastures in life are lifeless, grace-void, and difficult.
Because of your great love for us, we don’t have everything we want, but we lack nothing we need. Because you are Immanuel, we don’t have to be afraid of anything or anyone, anytime or anywhere. This doesn’t mean you promise a pain-free journey Home; but you do promise (Hallelujah!) we’ll never experience a Jesus-absent day. May your perfect love continue to shrink our worries and drive out our fears (1 John 4:18).
Jesus, we SO look forward to the Day when your “greatness will reach to the ends of the earth”—the Day when all things will be new and beautiful and nothing will be broken or unredeemed. However right now and forever, you are our peace; for you are 100% our “righteousness, holiness, and redemption” (1 Cor.1:30). And you give us peace—by the sovereignty of your current reign and the hope of your glorious return. Thank you, Jesus. So Very Amen.
