The Little Flock

Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

Luke 12:32

The music of the Shepherd's voice!  Another comforting "word," and how tender!  His flock, a little flock, a feeble flock, a fearful flock — but a beloved flock — loved of the Father, enjoying His good pleasure, and soon to be a glorified flock — safe in the fold, secure within the kingdom!  How does He quiet their fears and misgivings?  As they stand panting on the bleak mountainside, He points His crook upwards to the bright and shining gates of glory, and says, It is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom!  What gentle words!   What a blessed consummation!  Gracious Savior, Your gentleness has made me great!

That kingdom is the believer's by irreversible and inalienable covenant right. Says Jesus in Luke 22:29, "And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me." It is as sure as everlasting love and almighty power can make it.  Satan, the great foe of the kingdom, may have injected foul misgivings, doubts, and fears as to your security; but he could never divest you of your purchased immunities!  He must first have plucked the crown from the 'brow upon the throne', before he could weaken or impair this sure word of promise!  If "it pleased the Lord" to bruise the Shepherd — then it will surely please Him to glorify the purchased flock.

Believers, think of this! It is your Father's good pleasure.  The Good Shepherd, in leading you across the intervening mountains, shows you signals and memorials of paternal grace studding all the way.  He may lead you about in your way there. How did He lead the children of Israel of old out of Egypt to their promised kingdom? By forty years wilderness discipline and privations!  But trust Him; do not dishonor Him with guilty doubts and fears. Do not look back on your dark, stumbling paths, nor within on your fitful and vacillating heart; but forward to the promised heavenly kingdom!

Let the melody of the Shepherd's voice fall gently on your ear; "it is your Father's good pleasure."  I have given you, He seems to say, the best proof that it is My good pleasure. In order to purchase that kingdom, I died for you!  As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day.  (Ezekiel 34:12) 

Fear not, then, little flock!  Though for a while you are in the bleak mountain and arid wasteland seeking your way Zionward,  it may be with torn fleeces and bleeding feet;  Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.  (Matthew 18:14)

~John MacDuff