Those Who Stray Away
The analogy of the sheep. It’s used countless times in the Bible to teach and to inform the reader of what they should be as believers. Within this concept, there is the ability to follow, obedience and true, unyielding faith. A sheep is supposed to do all those things and so does the believer that is called a sheep.
However, the verse this week presents a very different reality:
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned - every one - to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
- Isaiah 53:6
The prophet Isaiah is open about the sheep that have gone astray, an allusion to say that the children of Israel aren’t listening to Yahweh. This can be indicative of human nature, which makes us unable to follow the commandments and the precepts of the Lord without the Holy Spirit. To add to this, all of the sheep are going their own ways, following their own beliefs. It sounds familiar.
Don’t disregard the Old Testament: take it as God’s word as well and also as prophecy. Today, there are countless people who have turned away from Yahweh to accept humanism and other religions. It hurts to know that, yes, but we must follow the Lord and hold steadfast to Him. Even through the trials and tribulations that come from that reality - which is spoken about in the verse - we must continue to pray for those who have gone astray. We must continue to pray.
Associated Bible Verses: 1 Peter 2:25, Psalm 119:176, James 5:20
Think About It: How do I stray away from the path that Yahweh has laid out for me? How do I stray away and how can I stop doing that? Am I the type of sheep who listens to the Good Shepherd or no, if so than why? Do I take the time to pray for those who go astray, or do my prayers remain about myself?
Prayer: This week, pray so that you may not be the sheep that continue to stray away from the Good Shepherd. Take some time during the week to pray for the children of Israel and the believers who continue to stray as well, so that they may return to the Lord and to His plans for them. Seek the Lord’s pastures, commandments and ways so that you may never stray away from them again.