DAILY TEXT, Today Friday September 2, 2022, I myself will look for my sheep and take care of them (Ezek. 34:11).

DAILY TEXT, Today's Friday, September 2, 2022

Let's Examine the Scriptures Every Day 2022

Friday, September 2, 2022

I myself will look for my sheep and take care of them (Ezek. 34:11).

Jehovah loves each one of us, even the sheep that have wandered from the fold (Matthew 18:12-14). He promised that he would seek out his lost sheep and help them regain their spiritual health. And he mentioned the steps he would take, the same steps an Israelite shepherd would take if he lost a sheep (Ezek. 34:12-16). First, the shepherd would search for his sheep, which would perhaps take a lot of time and effort. Then, once he found her, he would bring her back to the herd. Also, if the sheep were hurt or hungry, he would lovingly give it whatever help it needed, bandage its wounds, carry it in his arms, and feed it. As shepherds of the “flock of God,” elders should follow these same steps in helping those who have fallen away from the congregation (1 Pet. 5:2, 3). The elders seek them out, help them return to the congregation, and show their love for them by giving them the spiritual help they need. w20.06 20 para. 10

What could happen if we don't follow the advice in Colossians 3:13?

(Read Colossians 3:13). There are servants of Jehovah who feel that a brother has hurt them. The apostle Paul recognized that sometimes we may have a valid reason to complain about another. We may even have been treated unfairly. But if we are not careful, we could become resentful and end up drifting away from Jehovah's people. Let's look at the case of a brother from South America named Pablo. He was falsely accused of having done something wrong, and as a result, he lost a service responsibility. How did you react? He says, "I was so angry that I walked away from the congregation."

What can feelings of guilt lead us to?

It may also be that those who committed serious sin in the past still feel guilty and even believe that they are not worthy of God's love. Even if they were repentant and were shown mercy, they may feel that they no longer deserve to be part of their people. This is how a brother named Francisco felt. He recounts: “I was censured for falling into sexual immorality. Although at first I continued to go to the meetings, I became depressed and felt that I did not deserve to be among Jehovah's people. My conscience bothered me and I was sure that Jehovah had not forgiven me. Eventually, I stopped preaching and going to the Hall.” What do we think of the brothers who face situations like the ones we have seen? Do we see them with empathy? And, more importantly, what does God think of them?

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