Sometimes I feel like a sheep--when I'm alone in the darkness of my thoughts, when no friends or family are nearby, when I'm wondering what to do next, helpless against the wolf at my door, growling. I wonder how other folks handle their fears in the gloom of night?
Do sheep know their shepherd? Do they know just how dumb they really are? Their shepherd knows them very well. He knows the name of each one of his flock and understands they need the right food, good water and safety to survive and thrive.
How do the white, woolly four-legged sheep handle their fears? They know their Master's voice! When he calls out, they rush to His side for safety. When He warns them to stay away from the rushing river lest they get swept away, they turn away from danger or He plucks them out of the deep water, their wool heavily sodden. When they wander, he calls out to remind them to go no further. He even anoints their noses to keep fiery little insects from biting, stinging, making them so miserable they might not hear His call. At night, He lies down at the gate of their pen so any wolf or lion lurking nearby cannot get inside and kill. If one is lost, He will search for His lost lamb, and He sings praise songs under the night sky to calm them and settle them for a peaceful night of rest.
Isn't that what our Good Shepherd does for us? We love to wander off on our own; we love to stroll beside the thrilling but slippery edge of danger like a rushing river, even though the treacherous banks try to hold our feet, drawing us into deeper water. The crook of His staff pulls us away from temptation, the fiery thoughts from Hell that threaten to distract us from our Master's call. When we wander away and get lost, doesn't He leave the rest of the flock in a safe place and search for us and lead us back to safety? He stands between us and danger, even though we each want to decide our own exciting (and risky) path--after all, the grass across the river definitely looks so-o-o green and lush--and all night He rests in the gateway of our safe place, preventing attack from enemies, His dumb sheep who insist on getting to the edge of trouble all day, trusting Him to reach out just in time to save us. He sings praise songs to His Father, the King, calming us, His fearful flock, reminding us to be thankful for His watchful eye, His ever-present care, day and night.
I marvel at the great love my Good Shepherd has always shown and still continues daily without flinching, despite my petty whining over things I can't and should not have---but wait! All I could ever need or want is waiting for me in the home He is preparing for me, along with the privilege of Eternity in which to praise Him. (Is even Eternity long enough to praise Him?)
Lord, teach me always to recognize and listen or your voice and follow Your guidance and instruction.
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. John 10:28
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