HIDDEN GLORY

"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"
Jeremiah 23:3

Gathering is a beautiful word. It is one of our motherhood anointings which reveals the likeness of God for God is a gatherer. As the Great Shepherd, He loves to gather His sheep. He wants them to be like a flock. He wants them in His fold. Don't you love the words of Isaiah 40:11, "He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently led those that are with young." As we see the character of the Great Shepherd, we learn how He wants us to shepherd the little flock He gives to us.

Let's look at Micah 2:12 ESV, "I will surely assemble all of you, O Jacob; I will gather the remnant of Israel ; I will set them together like sheep in a fold, like a flock in its pasture, a noisy multitude of men." This promise ultimately speaks of the restoration of Israel to the land and how God is gathering, and will continue to gather, His people back to the land He gave them by divine decree. We are seeing the fulfillment of this promise right now.

However, we also learn more of the attitude God wants us to have as mothers. The picture of "gathering" is used three times in this one Scripture? One word is not enough to describe God's gathering heart.

1. Assemble

The Hebrew word is asaph. It is one of the principle words for "gather" and means "to bring together, to come together" This should be the vision for our family. We should make every decision in the light of cementing our family together, rather than fragmenting the family. Seek to do more "family" things together, rather than separating and each going their own way. Whatever you do to keep the family together strengthens the family. Whatever you do that separates the family weakens the family.

God wants our families to be like a flock and therefore we should always have the gathering mentality. Gathering your little ones around you for a story. Gathering them close for hugs. Gathering the family to the family meal table to eat together. Gathering the family together for Family Worship.

This word is also used in Micah 4.6 says, "In that day declares the Lord, I will assemble the lame and gather those who have been driven away and those whom I have afflicted . . . and those who were cast off, a strong nation" God assembles His people to heal them and make them strong. We don't gather our families together only for the fun of it, although of course it is great fun. But, we do it for a purpose. It is in our gathering together that we heal rifts and estrangements.

Especially as the children grow and start their own families, we have to make excuses and think of ideas to keep the multiplying family together.. Do you notice the description when they all gather together? "They shall make a great noise by reason of the multitude of men." This is certainly the description of our extended family. They make a great noise! But, we love it and pray for more multiplication.

2. Gather

The Hebrew word is qavats and means "to gather to a single location, a central spot" Once again, we see that God doesn't want His flock, or His families scattered everywhere, but gathered together in the fold. Children inherently love to be together, not separated, so why do we separate them? American children are often expected to sleep in separate bedrooms. Children hate it. They would much rather be together with their siblings.

The word qavats does not necessary mean "calling together" but being "drawn together." We should not have to make our children come together, but make family life so desirable that they can't wait to come together.

3. Set them together

The Hebrew word is sum and means "to establish, to plant, to put something somewhere." God is gathering His people back to His land from the four corners of the earth. He is not settling them anywhere else but in Israel, the land that God chose for His people.

God wants us to also settle and establish our children. He wants your children gathered in the right place, in the place He has chosen for them. In the home. He wants you to keep your flock gathered together "like a flock in the midst of their fold."

He doesn't give us a baby to give to someone else to raise while we go and do "our thing." He doesn't give us children to hand over to the humanistic state education to educate and where they can meet peers who will influence them away from godly principles and lifestyle.

Will you ask the Lord to help you become a gathering mother? Will you ask Him to teach you how to fold your family?

Blessings from Nancy Campbell
www.aboverubies.org

PRAYER:

Great Shepherd of the sheep, please give me more and more understanding on how to be the gathering shepherdess of my family. Please bring more ideas to mind of how I can gather them together. Amen."

AFFIRMATION:
I am a family gather.