"FEAR NOT, LITTLE FLOCK;"
By E. Macomber
"IT IS YOUR FATHER'S GOOD PLEASURE TO GIVE YOU
What a blessed promise to the little flock scattered throughout earth's wide domain! It matters not where his sheep are, the Shepherd's eye is ever on them. He is sure to care for them. He has promised to lead them into green pastures and by the side of still waters. I sometimes read in the Review letters from some of the scattered flock, of there being one here and another there, and several here and there, some rejoicing in the great Shepherd, and some oppressed and struggling to gain the victory over the world, the flesh, and the Devil. Struggle on, dear ones, a little longer; it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Rejoice on a little longer. The Lord says by the apostle James, "Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms." The good Shepherd knows his sheep. He says in John x, 11, "I am the good Shepherd. The good Shepherd giveth his life for the sheep; but he that is an hireling, and not the Shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming and leaveth the sheep and fleeth, and the wolf catcheth them and scattereth the sheep." But he has promised to gather the scattered ones of his flock, as we read in Jeremiah xxiii, 3: "And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries whither I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds, and they shall be fruitful and increase. I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them, and they shall fear no more nor be dismayed; neither shall they be lacking, saith the Lord. Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely; and this is his name whereby he shall be called, The Lord our Righteousness." "Now the God of peace that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen." "Come, good Lord, with courage arm us,
Persecution rages here;
Nothing, Lord, we know, can harm us
While our Shepherd is so near.
Glory, glory be to Jesus!
At his name our hearts do leap;
He both comforts us and frees us,
The good Shepherd feeds his sheep.
Hear the Prince of our salvation
Saying, Fear not, little flock,
I myself am your foundation,
You are built upon this rock.
Shun the paths of vice and folly,
Scale the mount, although its steep;
Look to me and be ye holy,
I delight to feed my sheep."
E. Macomber.