When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

Matthew 9:37

I turned the curb on my usual daily walk and made mental note of a small type garden fence leaning downward as I approached the corner house. It had two other adjoining fence pieces but this particular part had somehow gotten off center and therefore appeared broken like. There was a gap with somewhat of a narrow opening. I almost took a picture of the scene and even thought about fixing it but I carried on. The mental picture never left me. Another day passes by meditating on the garden fence. Not many days after, I received a download in my spirit. It was a strong word on Easter Sunday! The day we are supposed to dress all fancy, you know the Easter best, take the family photo and head off to the church house. Except I was wrecked with conviction and burden, even some guilt. I was honestly overwhelmed. Anytime I receive a quickening in my spirit regarding scripture I first apply it to me personally. What is God speaking? Is this directed to me or a word for the body? With any history in prayer I’ve discovered every word should be processed in my own reflection.

In a nation crying out woke, God is declaring “WOE”

I knew woe wasn’t good. It was a strong connotation and one I needed to search the scriptures on. My final landing after many days of reflection and scripture meditation was Jeremiah 23. There it was: “WOE TO the shepherds (civil leaders, rulers) who are destroying and scattering the sheep of My pasture!” says the Lord. I read the verse in its entirety of this chapter feeling both the compassion and anger of my Father towards His sons and daughters being misled by those He has entrusted to care for them. Yes, our government is busted and much is wrong but this first woe of many woes is directed towards the supposed church leaders who have gone woke among many other sins that have scattered, injured and led astray the sheep, actually empowering our wicked government. The garden fence is open. There is no protection for God’s sheep. The enemy has found access points through compromise, lies and cowardly preachers, teachers and our supposed government who claims to love God’s children and is being permitted such foulously because the church not only hasn’t shut but opened the garden fence.

Today I walked by that same garden fence and found it was completely shut. The opening had been closed. I even took the time to capture a picture as closure of what started just a week ago. There is hope. There is a remnant, a body of believers repenting and identifying with the sins of our nation instead of pointing fingers of hypocrisy. I for one am saying yes to God’s searching light within me. Better said, I am coming up under the humbleness of His hand to be searched, cleansed, purified of any woes in my life. May we each surrender to our part in closing the garden fence to the woes in our lives so we can truly protect the sheep of God’s pasture and see our nation restored. 🇺🇸

Ashley Shuell, Journalist for Jesus ✍️