Sharnita Gates explores Jeremiah 23 and what it means when God gathers the scattered and leads them to green pastures. She connects the shepherd metaphor to personal faith, showing how believers can be fruitful even in dark seasons through God's grace.
Good morning, everyone, or blessings, whatever time you're watching this. I am sharing my Lent devotional time. This is my first time going through Lent, so I definitely wanted to share this morning with everyone. So I'm happy everyone is here, and this one is day three. And day three, we are multiplying your hope, and the scripture for today is Jeremiah. I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them and will bring them back to their pasture, where they will be fruitful and increase in number. So here's the picture. A nation, God's people, has turned away from him despite God's warning rendered by Jeremiah the prophet. So they are sent into exile. In the opening verses of chapter 23, we find that the Lord calls out the shepherds of that time. The Lord is holding these shepherds accountable for his people's dispersion. The Lord cites their lack of care for the flock as the reason for his displeasure. Sorry, good morning, y'all. Had a lot to eat. It is in this context of darkness, despair, and hopelessness that the Lord declares today's verse: "I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them, and will bring them back to their pasture, where they will be fruitful and increase in number." When experiencing a dark and hopeless season, we can apply warning. Good morning. Okay, I thought you. I didn't know if you brought the dog. Wait, okay. Um, when experiencing a dark and hopeless season, we can apply our faith to 3 things. Oh, I'mma have to be— We can apply our faith to 3 things in this verse. I myself, the Lord himself, will gather the lost flock. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, always seek the lost. He is always calling and tending to his sheep. He will personally see to our care, will bring them back to their pasture. The Lord will bring them back to their pasture, the place ordained for them, their grace place. Oh, you know, you guys, this is, um, the grace space. So this is such a blessing that this Um, day 3 devotional is giving us comfort and hope, and I think that's what is multiplying your hope, um, as we enter this grace space, um, which was ordained for them. So King David said to the Lord, his shepherd will lead him to green pastures and quiet waters. They will be fruitful and increase as a result of being cared for by Jesus, the Good Shepherd. We experience fruitfulness and increase. We have the potential to bear fruit even in challenging seasons. Jeremiah affirms that those who trust in the Lord will be like a tree planted by water. You know, you meditate on the word day and night, um, it's like a tree planted in water, um, bear much fruit, um, and the leaves never wither. Um, its leaves are always green and never fails to bear fruit. That's Jeremiah 17:18. So as we multiply in hope on today, we'll definitely go into prayer. Lord, thank you for being my shepherd. You personally see that I have everything I need. You led my life to the ordained place specifically made for me. Therefore, I thank you for being fruitful in all you called me to be and to do. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Thank you guys for joining the Inner Blessings devotional on day 3. You guys have a blessed and fruitful day and be full of hope as you trust in the Lord.
