Ron Hutchcraft Ministries - Marching off the Map - #3884

Thursday, November 29, 2001

Maybe you've seen those old world maps that were created when a lot of the world was still unexplored. When they reached the edge of what had been explored, they drew a line and they showed dragons and monsters beyond it--which didn't exactly encourage exploration. The story is told of a first century Roman commander who had to lead his troops beyond the line on the map and into "dragon" territory. He sent a courier back to Rome with a straightforward message - "We have just marched off the map! Please send new orders!"

I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A WORD WITH YOU today about "Marching Off The Map."

Man, that sure describes how a lot of us are feeling since things changed so dramatically on September 11, 2001. We have marched off the map! Things are up for grabs with the economy--with many people's jobs--and with our own personal sense of safety and security--anthrax in the mail--a long war--prospects of bioterrorism and cyberterrorism. USA Today talked about DEFCON 1, the military's phrase for their highest state of alert--and they said suddenly all of us are living at DEFCON 1.

We need some certainty - we need some leadership. We want to hear from our national leaders, from our military leaders, from our financial leader, but none of them can give us the sense of peace and security we're needing in this "new world" that is off the map. What we're looking for can ultimately only be found in the leader--the One who created us. The issues of our day and the questions of our heart are just too big to be answered by anyone other than God Himself.

In times like these, I'm glad Jesus described His relationship with those who belong to Him as one of a shepherd. Because with no clear direction these days, we're feeling a little like sheep. Here's what Jesus offered to people like us in times like these--it's in our word for today from the Word of God in John 10 , beginning in verse 3, "He calls His own sheep by name and leads them out--He goes on ahead of them, and His sheep follow Him." Later, Jesus said, "My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of My hand."

There is someone who knows the way to go when there is no map and He's the Lord of this universe! And Jesus leads those who belong to Him, giving them daily direction and provision, no matter what's in the headlines. And He never loses anyone that's His--because, in the words of John 10 , He "laid down His life for the sheep." Jesus died for everything wrong you've ever done so you could belong to Him forever. He's not about to lose you!

The Bible tells us that Jesus weeps for those who are, as He says, "sheep without a shepherd." (Matthew 9:37 ) That may be you today. But it doesn't have to be you for one more day. He's reaching out to you right now. He's ready to be your Shepherd in confusing times; your anchor in stormy times.