Sheep are among the densest animals God has made. They are slow, easily frightened, defenseless, and rarely able to find food or water on their own. They need a shepherd to dam up a stream so the sound of its flow doesn’t frighten them, to lead them to new pastures after they’ve eaten grass down to its roots, and to protect them from predators and their own lack of survival skills. Without a shepherd, danger plus sheep equals death. With a shepherd, sheep can enjoy green pastures, drink from quiet waters, and live in safety.
Jesus calls us His sheep. On our own, we are slow and defenseless. Most of us are easily distracted and even frightened by the things in this world we don’t understand. “All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, everyone, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.”
Even before the Garden of Eden, God had a plan for our lives. Unfortunately, since that time, we have been listening to too many voices telling us what’s right and wrong, what to do and what not to do. We have looked for answers anywhere and everywhere. We stopped listening to the Shepherd’s voice and listened to whatever voice was the loudest. Whichever voice sounded the most appealing.
Just like Adam and Eve, we get caught up in the lies that the devil tells us. We wander away from what we were created to do.
That’s why Jesus came to Earth and took our sins upon Himself. Once the payment was made for our sins, we could accept His gift of salvation. Isaiah 53:6 tells us about God’s provision for our actions.
Shepherds put their lives in danger to protect their sheep. Remember that Jesus calls us His sheep. In John 10:11 Jesus tells us exactly what He Will do and DID do for us. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.”
Scripture tells us exactly what is doing. He is stalking us just waiting for our guard to be down so that we can be devoured.
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 1 Peter 5:8
Without the Shepherd to guide and protect us, we will be devoured by the devil who is seeking our destruction.
If we choose Jesus as our Shepherd and our Savior, then like David says in Psalm 23. We can say…Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death., I will fear no evil; For You are with me. Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4
If not, those of us who haven’t chosen Jesus as our Shepherd Savior risk being lost in the valley of the shadow of death.
The choice is an individual one, no one can make it for you. I pray that you make the right choice before it’s too late.
Jeff, host of Soaring Through the Weekend on Total Worship Radio
