Devotion 28 April 2026

Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will… Hebrews 13: 20

READING: Ezekiel 34: 23-31 and Hebrews 13: 20-21

In verses 23 to 25 of the Ezekiel reading, we hear one of the great covenants of God, where He says that He will place a shepherd over them to tend them. He makes a covenant of peace and promises safety for them.

Ezekiel lived at the time of the Babylonian captivity, a time of sorrow and distress both physically and spiritually to a divided Israelite nation.

This is God once again promising unity, peace, safety and fulfilment - that He will be their God and that they will be His people (Jer 32: 37-38, Jer. 31:1, Jer. 30:22, Lev. 26:12).

In verse 23 we hear, as part of the covenant, “I will place over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he will tend them”. The reference here to David did not refer to King David himself literally; who died many years. David typified the best leader, beloved and called of God, and it is accepted that this prophecy refers to the Messiah.  

This promise is fulfilled in Jesus, “the one Shepherd”. Hebrews 8:8-12 speaks of the New Covenant, instituted by Jesus at the Last Supper (Matthew 26:26-28) and through His death and resurrection.

In verse 26 we hear God saying “I will send down showers in season; there will be showers of blessing.” Here in Africa we deeply understand those blessing of rain, of security and safety.

We have the reassurance that God is making things happen for us. God works hard on our behalf: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him.”  (Romans 8:28)

Our Shepherd tends to each of us, working behind the scenes, guiding us, working all things out for our good and His glory. In today’s reading from Hebrews, we hear that He will “equip you with everything good for doing his will”.

We may feel that we don’t have what we want, but we can reast assured that God gives us what we need to do what He has planned for us to do. God has a purpose for each life – He has work for each person. No matter how humble or small our scope of influence is, God blesses us “with everything good for doing His will”.

We give thanks that He loves us so much that He not only showers us with His blessings but gives us a purpose by entrusting us with His work.

Prayer

My Great Lord, you do indeed do so much for me. Loving me, even when I was a sinner. Never giving up on me. Thank you for all that you do for me, that I am unaware of, behind the scenes. Thank You that You want me to work on Your behalf; guide and bless me, I pray, in Jesus name, Amen