Repost: Sheep

As I mentioned yesterday, I'm studying Psalm 23.  Today's devotional had a tidbit about sheep that I did not know, "Under the blistering sun, he’d lead the sheep to water—but not just any water. He would lead them to still waters since sheep won’t drink if the water moves too fast."  This post was written when my blog was less than a year old.

While reading "The Day Christ Died" by Jim Bishop (published in 1957), I read a few things about sheep. One is the fact that sheep know their shepherd's whistle. Several flocks can converge, but when one shepherd starts whistling to call his sheep, only his sheep move toward him. Jesus said in John 10:27 "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me."


I wanted to know if sheep are truly considered dumb animals. From Sheep 101, I found: "People often call sheep "stupid," because they don't act independently. Sheep are not stupid. Their only protection from predators is to stay in the flock and follow the sheep in front of them. At the same time, there is a growing body of evidence that sheep may actually possess some smarts." Ever notice that about people? Those that stay close to the flock are safe from predators, when one starts pulling away from the flock, they put themselves in danger.


Also "In the Day Christ Died" was this line that really caught my attention: "when lightning flashes and thunder rolls, the sheep look not at the sky but at the shepherd." Where do you look when storms arise in your life?

Psalm 23

1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

No Man

Jesus said a very powerful thing in John chapter 10 verses 27-29: "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand."


We are not in the middle of a tug-o-war between God and the devil. Yes, Satan will try to pull us away, but he has NO power to do so. On more than one occasion I have spoken with a struggling young person. While trying to encourage them, I've said, "You can make it." It breaks my heart when I hear, "I hope so," as a response. There should never be fear or doubt that we will survive the storms or temptations of life. When Jesus said, "no man" that is exactly what He meant.

Sheep

While reading "The Day Christ Died" by Jim Bishop (published in 1957), I read a few things about sheep. One is the fact that sheep know their shepherd's whistle. Several flocks can converge, but when one shepherd starts whistling to call his sheep, only his sheep move toward him. Jesus said in John 10:27 "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me."


I wanted to know if sheep are truly considered dumb animals. From Sheep 101, I found: "People often call sheep "stupid," because they don't act independently. Sheep are not stupid. Their only protection from predators is to stay in the flock and follow the sheep in front of them. At the same time, there is a growing body of evidence that sheep may actually possess some smarts." Ever notice that about people? Those that stay close to the flock are safe from predators, when one starts pulling away from the flock, they put themselves in danger.


Also "In the Day Christ Died" was this line that really caught my attention: "when lightning flashes and thunder rolls, the sheep look not at the sky but at the shepherd." Where do you look when storms arise in your life?

Psalm 23

1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.