I love the look of sheep. They’re wooly and round and perfectly content to nibble on grass for hours. Adorable, really.
But when the Bible says, “We are His people, the sheep of His pasture” {Psalm 100:3}, the Lord isn’t talking about how cute we are. He’s describing how needy we are.
Sheep can’t survive without a shepherd.
Sheep are creatures of habit and stubborn as well. Left on their own, sheep will eat grass until they reach the roots, then eat the roots, meaning the grass won’t grow back, and then they’ll start bleating, wondering where lunch went.
Meanwhile, fresh grass is waiting in the next pasture, if they’ll simply trust their shepherd and follow him.
It’s easy to shake our heads and say, “Sheep are definitely stupid.” Problem is, we do the same thing.
We spend money we haven’t earned, make commitments when our calendar is crammed, and pretend we know what’s best for us when we know zip.
All the while, our good Shepherd continues to guide and provide, assuring us, “I know my sheep and my sheep know me” {John 10:14}.
We do know You, Lord. Help us trust You. Help us follow You.
Sheep can’t stand on their own.
If they lower themselves to the ground with their legs tucked under them, sheep can easily scramble to their feet. But if they roll onto their backs and end up with all four legs in the air — “cast down,” shepherds call it — the poor things are stuck.
“Help! I’ve fallen and I can’t get up!” Exactly.
Without help, a cast-down sheep will eventually suffocate. It takes a skilled shepherd to restore a fallen ewe — massaging her legs, lifting her onto her feet, then steadying her until she regains her sense of balance.
That’s how Jesus restores us. When we stumble and fall, when we can’t get up, He is there to rescue us and help us stand.
“For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again” {Proverbs 24:16}.
Only because You pick us up, Lord. Only because You love us.
Sheep lose their way and run astray. Often.
We can’t even think of the word sheep in Scripture without also thinking of the words going astray.
Sheep wander off without meaning to, or become separated from the flock by marauding wolves. One moment sheep are safe, and the next they are not.
We’ve seen this pattern in our own lives. “We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way” {Isaiah 53:6}. All means that no one gets it right on their own. Nope. Not one.
When Jesus compared His people to a flock of sheep, it wasn’t a compliment. It means we’re foolish and stubborn and lost without Him.
Lord, some of us went astray for years, decades. Even so, You found us. You saved us. Your rod and staff, they comfort us. Your quiet waters refresh our souls.
A daily reminder to store in our hearts: “You, Lord, are my shepherd. I will never be in need.” {Psalm 23:1, CEV}
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Liz,
Yes, the more I learn about sheep, I realize I am exactly like them…stubborn, strong-willed, and just plain stupid at times….okay, a lot of the time. The older I get, the more I KNOW that I am in desperate need of a shepherd. A shepherd who stands watch by day and by night and will lead me to green pastures and living water if I will just let Him. My life, my all is dependent and reliant upon Him. So thankful that when I’ve gone astray, He has lovingly pursued me and brought me back into the flock and will do that for any one of us who loses their way. Beautiful analogy, Liz. What a great reminder of what a wonderful shepherd we have and need.
Bev
Bev
I’ve acted like a sheep more times than I’ll admit to. 😉 I’ve definitely been caught up in doing what I was just certain was the best thing for me . . . only to find out that I was way off-base. I’m truly thankful for my patient Shepherd Who guides me back where I need to be. Who helps me in the everyday decisions in life. I’m so thankful for His tender care of me, even when I’m willful and stubborn.
I loved your post today.
Love this! I don’t want to be a sheep, but I am. I have always loved the stories of how tender the shepherd is with the sheep…like our Father is with us. Thank you so much for sharing!
I’ve been thinking lately about Jesus as the Good Shepherd. Going back to John 10 and settling there has brought me comfort. Also thinking about Psalm 23, which is beautiful. Thank you for reminding me again of what I need to hear daily. I am like a sheep in so many ways and I NEED my Savior, the Shepherd of my heart.
Also, did you write the children’s book, The Parable of the Lily? My son has been grabbing that one a lot lately and I just recognized the name. Thought I’d ask.
Psalm 100:3 says “We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.” I am so glad Jesus is my Shepherd. I think I appreciate this truth even more since you spelled out how much we have in common with sheep. I deeply love the words of Psalm 23:1 “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.” Those are powerful, peaceful and strength giving words.
Hey. Aren’t you the author of Baaaaaa-d Girls of the Bible? 😉
Ba-dum-bump. Sorry. Couldn’t resist a little sheep humor.
I love this post, Liz. Ewe rock.
I laughed all the way through this Liz. I so love your humorous wit! But with each verse that pointed right at me – I put on my sad face. But you didn’t leave me there – you gave me hope with all the promises from our Shepherd. I just loved this. And I loved all the photos of the cute, I mean, stupid, sheep. 🙂
Blessings to you Liz!
Yes when I think I have found my Joy I am like the stuck sheep
Liz,
Loved the pictures! I must remind myself almost daily that He Will Supply ALL my NEEDS–not necessarily my wants. I have plenty to be thankful for. Grateful for the great shepherd who searches for us and woos us back to Him when we stupidly go astray. To often in my past, when I was young and “stupid” I would do my own thing. Oh go to church on Sunday and pretend, but during the week I did my thing. Now that I find myself in an off-base situation I need Him to remove me and place me back where He wants me!
Blessings as always!
This was such a great reminder of Jesus’ love and dedication to us!