Scripture
Please, my lord, go ahead of your servant. We will follow slowly, at a pace that is comfortable for the livestock and the children. I will meet you at Seir.
~Genesis 33:14, NLT
Quote
Jesus has gone before us and as a leader was made perfect by the things He suffered.
~Francis Ridley Havergal
The scripture above is about Jacob’s return to Canaan with his family and flocks. Esau and his small army of 400 men had come out to meet Jacob. To Jacob’s surprise and delight, there were no hostilities and he and Esau had a very emotional reunion. After a time of fellowship, Esau told Jacob that he and his army would escort them into the land of Canaan but Jacob politely declined. Jacob had too many small children, lambs, kids and calves for to move at the speed of an army so he told Esau to return home and that he would follow at a slower pace; a pace that the little ones could keep up with.
This is one of the times in scripture when Jacob is a type of Christ. When I read this passage I thought of a song we used to sing when I was growing up. The chorus goes like this…Lead me gently home, Father, Lead me gently home, Lest I fall upon the wayside, Lead me gently home. I am impressed and thankful that Jesus is a gentle shepherd who leads us at a pace we can sustain. He was gentle with Peter and Thomas; He slowed the pace to catch them up and He has been gentle with me. I love and admire Him for many reasons but I am so thankful that He knows our frame, that we are but dust. I know we don’t want to disappoint Him but is that possible? We certainly can’t surprise Him. He was not shocked by Peter’s denial or Thomas unbelief. I know this: He is gentle, meek and kind and I am glad.
Off to preach to the pastors this morning. I do thank the LORD for the opportunity to preach the gospel: five opts in a row and I am not in a revival. Of course I don’t always preach at a COLS but I do get a chance to share the gospel. We have M.D. Prater’s COLS tomorrow and Shohns grandfather on Wednesday. I do appreciate prayer. Preaching is fun when you have a message and when the Spirit is moving. It is hades when He is not moving. I do appreciate my Helper and my Advocate.