“Many shepherds have ruined My vineyard, They have trampled down My field; They have made My pleasant field A desolate wilderness. “It has been made a desolation, Desolate, it mourns before Me; The whole land has been made desolate, Because no man lays it to heart.” (12:10-11‬)

The LORD often refers to His people, Israel, as a vineyard. One He cares for, protects and nurtures, yet doesn’t produce good grapes. Now it’s observed many shepherds have trampled around and ruined everything.

People love important positions, even the task of shepherding, caring for God’s people. But sometimes the task falls by the wayside when pride and lust for power start taking over.

Next thing you know, the people you’re supposed to be loving and nurturing (even when they’re stupid and short sighted like a sheep) are in your way and under your feet.

Praise the LORD, He is not a shepherd like us. He has compassion on His people and restores after He corrects. He never takes His eyes off His sheep, because He has no insecurities to distract Him.

A million different things distract me. I will jump at the chance to remind myself, today, to see who my “sheep” are and re-evaluate how I love and serve them. Also I need constant reminding to look into the eyes of my Good Shepherd and feel just how loved and cared for I am, in Him.

-Bethany