Devotional: Strike the Shepherd, Scatter the Sheep

There is dreadful disorder in our world. The spirit of anger and fear is overwhelming our nation. In Matthew 26:31-32, Jesus warns us that Satan works to strike a heavy blow that causes dreadful disorder in our lives, in the church, and in our world. Whether it’s through politics, the pandemic, or isolation, he wants to leave us with no unity, no covering, and no blessing. But the Spirit of God works when His people pray. History has shown that great awakenings start when the people of God repent, and turn to Him. There is no cure for the deep division in our nation – and in our hearts – except for the blood of Jesus. By His wounds we are healed. When we repent, we are anchored, guided, living and growing in God, bringing hope in the midst of chaos and division in our world.

 Questions For Meditation

1. Mass shootings, racial conflict, political hatred, and unrest in our cities: are these just “people problems”? Or are there powers of darkness operating in the spiritual realm?
2. Satan strikes the ones who people depend on. Have your spiritual failings, sins, or downfalls affected those around you? How?
3. Some of us have been dealt a blow without realizing it. Whether it’s fixating on politics, racial division, the pandemic, or everyday distractions, were you lured away from the Word of God, prayer, and seeking His face? What lured you away?
4. In this moment of honest self-reflection, ask yourself: where are you now? Are you standing on the Rock and grounded in the Word of God? Or are you isolated from the body of Christ and lured away by worldly logic? Are your thoughts higher or worldlier? Have you “cancelled” others (publicly or in your heart) or shown grace and mercy?
5. Love covers over a multitude of sins. Have you asked Jesus to wash away the stains of sin in your heart and restore you? 
6. Instead of dying in our sin, Jesus showed us mercy by shedding his blood and offering us forgiveness. Knowing this, are you able to be merciful to others?
7. The church is strongest when it repents. What do you think God can do through an entire church of people that have repenting and filled with the power of the Holy Spirit? Can He change our city? Our nation?