22 Therefore will I save my flock, and they shall no more be a prey; and I will judge between cattle and cattle. 23 And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd. 24 And I the LORD will be their God, and my servant David a prince among them; I the LORD have spoken it. 25 And I will make with them a covenant of peace, and will cause the evil beasts to cease out of the land: and they shall dwell safely in the wilderness, and sleep in the woods. 26 And I will make them and the places round about my hill a blessing; and I will cause the shower to come down in his season; there shall be showers of blessing. 27 And the tree of the field shall yield her fruit, and the earth shall yield her increase, and they shall be safe in their land, and shall know that I am the LORD, when I have broken the bands of their yoke, and delivered them out of the hand of those that served themselves of them. 28 And they shall no more be a prey to the heathen, neither shall the beast of the land devour them; but they shall dwell safely, and none shall make them afraid. 29 And I will raise up for them a plant of renown, and they shall be no more consumed with hunger in the land, neither bear the shame of the heathen any more. 30 Thus shall they know that I the LORD their God am with them, and that they, even the house of Israel, are my people, saith the Lord GOD. 31 And ye my flock, the flock of my pasture, are men, and I am your God, saith the Lord GOD.
As we all know this is a month that the world recognizes as the holiday month. For during this month we all celebrate Christmas where we shop for toys for the children, special presents for those we love and even for some who are not fortunate enough to have any family to care for them. Yet we all have taken CHRIST from CHRISTMAS. Many times we all celebrate with parties and gatherings but if you where to ask a child today the true meaning of Christmas we all learn that we need to go back to giving Christ his day. Which brings to this message for in Ezekiel God speaks of the GREAT SHEPHERD that is out of the house of DAVID. Let me give some clarity to this message for the topic is DAVIDIC COVENANT. We all must understand that God maintained his COVENANT with the children of Israel yet through the years leaders of the God’s people had proven faithless for the flock had been scattered; but now Jehovah will set up a SHEPHERD to instruct us. Let me give you some background for Ezekiel was one of the great prophets. It is understood that he was taken captive in early years as a young man. He held a prominent place among the exiles, and was frequently consulted by the elders his ministry extended over 23 years. Throughout the bible from Genesis God teaches of his seven Covenants with the people from the Adamic Covenant, Noahic Covenant, Abrahamic Covenant, Palestinian Covenant, Mosaic Covenant, Davidic Covenant, to the New Covenant (Redemption) each of these Covenants are agreements promises and a vow that our heavenly father has given unto each of us. Now the key point for today understands how God used an INFANT to establish the greatest COVENANT OF ALL.
First let me give you visual of how a shepherd leads their sheep. For years we have all had the visual that Shepherds chase their sheep to keep them gathered but truly they lead from the front of the sheep who willing follow the Shepherd to their destination. For today we will honor this holiday season by referencing today as CHRIST THE KING Month. We are going to focus on the end of history, when Christ shall gather all the nations together in his presence. In the presence of Christ our Shepherd King will be accounting a judgment for each of us. Understand that in Ezekiel we have both law and gospel; both condemnation and compassion; and both judgment and grace. If we look at society today and society in the time of captivity of God’s people in Babylonian both times are dealing with leaders that are both faithless and abusive leaders. As we all are seeking to have that true relationship with Christ we have to go back to the basics which is in the Word of GOD. Therefore in the book of Ezekiel God presents this divine promise to his people by referencing is unconditional covenant that he made when the prophet Nathan anointed David in 2nd Samuel 7. Which brought about the seven Blessings of The DAVIDIC COVENANT represents God’s promises to us all.
1. Assurance 2 Samuel 7
2. No More Affliction – Psalms 23
3. High Calling in his Kingdom – Psalms 132:11-17
4. His Providential Care – Psalms 91
5. His Strong House – Proverbs 18:10
6. Royal Priesthood – 1 Peter 2: 4-10
7. Eternal Covenant – Heb 9:15; John 3:16
With Assurance in GOD that by his anointing upon the house of David he begins the process to bring forth the people to a higher place in him. Making us all realize that we have his Assurance in every walk in life. Think about it what he did with the lad David God has the ability to do with each of us. We just have to know and believe that God assures that he is with us always not just in the daily blessings but in the simple things in life. One of the key things in our covenant with him is we have to develop a strong unity in our relationship with GOD. Understand that by developing such a strong relationship builds our true Covenant in JESUS which brings about a spiritual assurance verses a temporal assurance. Nevertheless we must gain the mindset of David to hold the heart of GOD in our hearts.
Now that we have our assurance we also have gained no more afflictions for in Psalms 23:4-5 Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me; your rod and your staff they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup runneth over. We must understand that GOD has removed any affliction against his people for he stands as the battle axe in the time of the storm. For every time the enemy attempts to distract us, destroy, or overtake us God steps in with his promises to protect and shield us from all hurt, harm or danger. For in Ephesians 6:11-20
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
For when we put on the whole armor of GOD nothing can harm his children. Therefore I beseech my fellow Christians to put the whole armor of GOD wear it every day of the week for when you are armed and ready you can always defeat Satan. Understand that with our assurance in GOD we have already overcome any afflictions. Therefore we must understand that this covenant is our High Calling in the KINGDOM for we are not peasants in God’s Kingdom we are descendants of David which GOD tells in Psalms 132:11-17 The LORD hath sworn in truth unto David; he will not turn from it; Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne.
12 If thy children will keep my covenant and my testimony that I shall teach them, their children shall also sit upon thy throne for evermore.
13 For the LORD hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation.
14 This is my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it.
15 I will abundantly bless her provision: I will satisfy her poor with bread.
16 I will also clothe her priests with salvation: and her saints shall shout aloud for joy.
17 There will I make the horn of David to bud: I have ordained a lamp for mine anointed.
This is clear that out of this house of David I will seat you and your descendants upon my THRONE forevermore. Therefore we as his children must stop complaining, whining, crying, worrying, stressing, doubting, gossiping, backbiting, backstabbing, lying for God cannot bless when we exemplify mess.
Therefore stand strong and know that we are all under Gods Providential Care for in our assurance, no more afflictions and our place in the Kingdom he gives his unconditional care. For in Psalms 91 1 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress;
My God, in Him I will trust.”
3 Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowlerz
And from the perilous pestilence.
4 He shall cover you with His feathers,
And under His wings you shall take refuge;
His truth shall be your shield and buckler.
5 You shall not be afraid of the terror by night,
Nor of the arrow that flies by day,
6 Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness,
Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side,
And ten thousand at your right hand;
But it shall not come near you.
8 Only with your eyes shall you look,
And see the reward of the wicked.
9 Because you have made the LORD, who is my refuge,
Even the Most High, your dwelling place,
10 No evil shall befall you,
Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling;
11 For He shall give His angels charge over you,
To keep you in all your ways.
12 In their hands they shall bear you up,
Lest you dash your foot against a stone.
13 You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra,
The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.
14 “Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him;
I will set him on high, because he has known My name.
15 He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him,
And show him My salvation.”
For under this care we have all power in our hands in Christ Jesus.
Now in Proverbs 18:10 we dwell in a STRONG HOUSE of GOD for we are righteous unto him he will keep us safe from all harm and danger. Again that is that assurance, the removal of affliction, dwelling in his Kingdom, and resting under his providential care combined into one to bring us into his Solid HOUSE to dwell. Realizing that in all these we are of the Royal Priesthood in our Father in Heaven for in 1 Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light: Understand that just these few scriptures referencing Assurance, affliction, High calling, Providential, Strong house. And Royalty all give us our Unconditional Convent with God which rest assured we will gain the ETERNAL place in him for in John 3:16 For God so love the world that he gave his only begotten son that who so ever believeth shall not perish but have everlasting life, and in Heb 9:15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance
Understand today that all PEOPLE INCLUDING US need to know that CHRIST IS CHRISTMAS. For in God’s Divine order we must elevate Christ at all times during our life for which gives us the special relationship in our God. Understanding that every day in JESUS is CHRISTMAS DAY in your heart. We have the foundation for the Davidic Covenant which rests upon the physical and spiritual events we face in this life’s journey. In Matthew 1:17-21:
17 So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations.
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.
20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
Therefore out of the 42 generations of the house David God brought forth an infant to save our sin sick world a life of burning fire. So today we must come unto him all that is heavy laden and lay upon his shoulders your burdens for his has granted each us eternal life in him, he loves each us unconditionally and he will sacrifice himself for us daily. Therefore I challenge us today to maintain in hearts and minds that it is CHRIST THE KING DAY every day in your life. For we must truly understand that without Christ we have nothing and we are nothing; realize that these earthly promises were foundational, thus providing the essentials for the richer spiritual blessings in the distant future for us all. For in Gods promises upon sending the GREAT SHEPHERD Jesus Christ he then descends upon each of us all his SHOWERS OF BLESSINGS. Therefore think of it like this you are seating in a small boat in the middle of the ocean to the north, south, east or west there is no sign of land. In your mind you think you are all alone but understand that in Genesis 1 when God removed the darkness and formed the earth by separating the waters to allow land he then called it the great OCEA. We must understand that God loves us just that much for he placed you in the ocean to show just how large his love is for us all.
O – Oneness in Christ
C – Caring for one another
E – Everlasting Peace
A – Anointing of the Holy Spirit
N – Newness in Christ
So understand that in receiving our precious Gift from the Heavens God is
Is ONE in us
Is CARING for us daily
Granted EVERLASTING Peace
He ANNOINTS us daily with his presence
He brings NEWNESS day by day.
And with that is the WORD OF GOD.
