“Know that the LORD, He is God; It is He who
has made us, and not we
ourselves. We are His people and the sheep of
His pasture.” Psalm 100:3Sheep can’t protect themselves from anyone or anything so that’s why they need a shepherd to watch over them. They can’t even run very fast. When the enemy sneaks in to attack them, they are an easy target, unless there is a shepherd there to ward off the enemy. Typically, predators like wolves, fox and wild dogs go after sheep. The Lord warns us of this same danger. “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.” Matthew 7:15
Did you know that sheep have very poor eyesight? They can’t even recognize the enemy right in front of them. If sheep get knocked down and fall on their back, they can’t get up by themselves. They need help to get back up on their feet. They flail their legs in the air, bleat and cry and after a few hours on their backs, gas begins to collect in their stomachs. The stomach then hardens and the air passage is cut off. The sheep will eventually suffocate if there is no shepherd to help them. This is called a “cast down” position. It reminds me a scripture, “Why art thou cast down, O, my soul, and why art thou disquieted in me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.” [Psalm 42:5] We like sheep can get in a spiritual life threatening situation and our only help and hope is in God. We aren’t always able to see the danger around us.
Sheep have excellent hearing and can easily recognize the voice of their shepherd from other sounds and voices. What was it Jesus said? John
Sheep exhibit both Flocking and Following behaviour. As people, we tend to have the same behavior as Hebrews 10:25 explains “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” Those of us who love the Lord like to gather together and with prayer and praise encourage and lift each other up.
Sheep prefer to move from a darkened area to a lighted one. Christians also prefer to be in the “Light”. I Peter 2:9 explains why that is; “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;”
With sheep there is safety in numbers and if you notice they try to remain close to each other. It is harder for a predator to pick a sheep out of a group than to go after a few strays. It seems to be the same with people. When we walk out of the will of God and into the world, the enemy is waiting to devour us. The Bible explains it this way, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” I Peter 5:8
From birth, lambs are taught to follow the older members of the flock. That’s how they learn to do the things they do and to be protected from harm. We know about bringing up children; to take care of them by teaching them how to grow up. They don’t always listen to us, but they always watch us and learn from us. Sadly, not all parents follow the scriptures of “…bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.” Eph. 6:4
Sheep have no idea how to balance the amount of food they take in. It seems that people have the same problem and I don’t mean of ‘overeating’. People don’t realize they are in danger of taking in too much of the world. Many keep taking in more and more and end up in danger of falling away from God. We also need to beware of the dangers of over indulging in worldly pleasures. In the parable of the ‘Sower and the Seeds’, we read about the seeds that “fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity.” Luke 8:14
Can you see that it’s no wonder Jesus refers to us as sheep and himself as the Shepherd. He knows each of us from the inside out and those who have accepted him as their shepherd know Him; really know Him. "I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. John 10:14-15
Thank you,
Jesus, for being my Shepherd!
Wanda Hammond Ritter
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