The Care of the Shepherd

Not being raised in a third world country has certainly had its advantages, but in some ways I think it has held some disadvantages too. Don’t get me wrong. I am certainly thankful for EVERY blessing and privilege I’ve been given. However, one thing I would certainly love to see, I have never had the privilege of actually seeing. That is a “real live eastern shepherd” in action.

I have had the exciting privilege of feeding baby lambs from a bottle on a ranch in Montana – and loved it. There have been sheep on hillsides that have initiated an “ooo” and “ahh” response just by being sheep. But, as far as really seeing a ‘true blue” shepherd, in the truest sense of the word, my mind has had to be content with pictures, books, and imagination.

A simple call, and the sheep would come. Another could call, and they would not follow – why? Because they knew the true voice of their shepherd. How? They had lived obediently and consistently under his care. He knew where the greenest grass was – they could trust him for the coolest water. He knew his flock – and they knew him. What a beautiful picture.

However, sheep too at times possess a wandering streak. Whey they do it I have no idea. For some reason some other grass looks greener. Some other path will surely lead to clearer streams. Before they know it, they have found their way far from the flock – and away from the care of the shepherd.

The example of this in God’s Word gives us the response of the heart of a shepherd. Even though he has returned home for the night before he realizes one is missing, there is no doubt about what he will do. Securing the others he spends a sleepless night, calling, searching, until he finds the one who is lost.

Even then, the sheep knows the Shepherds voice. He can hear him calling, calling – longing for him to find his way back into the Shepherds arms. There isn’t a night too dark, a pathway to steep for the shepherd. He will find his lamb.

Christ is calling to each of us. He is the Great Shepherd – and all we like sheep have gone astray. But He, our Shepherd, seeks us. If you have wandered away like a restless sheep, even now His voice is calling – “come home, come home.”

Those of you in need of rest our Shepherd, Jesus, still holds out his promise, “Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

Just as the shepherd knows each of his sheep, and cares for their needs, our Shepherd knows ours. He’s big enough to meet every need, cares enough to do it, and loves us more than we could ever imagine. Rest in Him today.

Take It with You

“For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.”        I Peter 2:24-25

“The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.” Psalm 23:1