Shepherd over your soul

Does God still appoints shepherds over our souls today?

God appoints shepherds over his children to help them in their walk with him, and he often appoints these shepherds as the pastors and leaders whom he has placed over us. It is for our own good, but at times, those that watch over our soul are the ones most often despised. We perhaps see them as a thorn in the flesh when they correct us or when they ask us one or more direct, often unattractive question. It’s like they monitor us, and we just want to be free and break out from their microscopic eyes. But if we understand what they are over us as God appoints them, and how they owe God and are answerable to him for each and everyone he has put under their care, and also how they strife both in prayers and commitment to see that none of those children fall short, then we will begin to corporate and help them in seeing that, at least our life is not a burden to them.

Because they are shepherd over our soul, God may tell them some things that has gone wrong in our life so that by the prescription of God, they might help us become whole again. But when we feel embarrassed or provoked when they come around and ask us of our welfare, they might not be able to help as they should have done as God had led them. They may end up just praying for that individual and leave the rest to God. One thing is sure, when once God appoints a shepherd over your soul or over his church, he will always speak to them. A pastor rightly said, (roughly narrating him) “No matter how righteous you are, any matter that needs to be addressed in the country, God will speak to the president of the country, not you.”

God speaks to those whom he places over us. Short or tall, fat or ugly, young or old, fit or unfit, God still speak to them

Hebrews 13:17 KJV
“Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.”

This is a solemn plea to submit to leadership – godly leadership. For someone who is not yet saved and transformed by God through re-birth, it will be almost impossible for them because the old nature – that nature of sin – has not been changed and it’s not in that nature to be obedient and submissive.

Biblical example of submission

Isaiah 39:1-4
“At that time Merodach-baladan, the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present to Hezekiah: for he had heard that he had been sick, and was recovered. [2] And Hezekiah was glad of them, and shewed them the house of his precious things, the silver, and the gold, and the spices, and the precious ointment, and all the house of his armour, and all that was found in his treasures: there was nothing in his house, nor in all his dominion, that Hezekiah shewed them not. [3] Then came Isaiah the prophet unto king Hezekiah, and said unto him, What said these men? and from whence came they unto thee? And Hezekiah said, They are come from a far country unto me, even from Babylon. [4] Then said he, What have they seen in thine house? And Hezekiah answered, All that is in mine house have they seen: there is nothing among my treasures that I have not shewed them.”

Hezekiah could have become irritated by prophet Isaiah’s question, after all he’s the king of Judah and why should he be asked such silly questions as, “What said these men?”, “What have they seen in thy house?” How is that prophet Isaiah’s problem? But really, it is his problem because he had heard from God and want to pass His message to Hezekiah and thank God, Hezekiah was not offended by Isaiah’s questions. He submitted himself, acknowledging him as God’s true prophet and opened up to him like a child

Isaiah 39:5-6
“Then said Isaiah to Hezekiah, Hear the word of the Lord of hosts: Behold, the days come, that all that is in thine house, and that which thy fathers have laid up in store until this day, shall be carried to Babylon: nothing shall be left, saith the Lord.”

That was the message, but because of king Hezekiah’s positive attitude in the sight of God, He did not allow the judgment to be in his days

Isaiah 39:8
“Then said Hezekiah to Isaiah, Good is the word of the Lord which thou hast spoken. He said moreover, For there shall be peace and truth in my days.”

God cares for every creature of his and most especially those that have received him as their Lord and Saviour, and it is his desire that we walk in alignment to his will and purpose for our life. He has given us his word, leaders and pastors, and all we need to live for him. Just as king Hezekiah was obedient to the servant of God whom he used in his days, so should we be obedient to those God is using in our time to lead us

2 Chronicles 20:20b
“…O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.”