While I was in Scotland recently I came across this little lame lamb trying to keep up with its mother. He kept bleating as if telling her to wait for him. Something was wrong with its leg and he could only go for short stretches, limping all the way. I felt so sorry for him. I wanted to rescue him but lambs aren’t to be touched during lambing time so my hands were quite literally tied. I wouldn’t have known what to do with him anyway (though Silas would !). So I kept walking, looking back over my shoulder, and was relieved when just ahead I spied the shepherd, in this case the laird of Treshnish. He was coming to take care of the lame lamb. I was thrilled!
When I came home a dear reader and friend shared this with me from pastor Chuck Swindoll. It’s a beautiful reminder of how we are like sheep and in need of a shepherd.
1. Sheep lack a sense of direction. Unlike cats and dogs, sheep can get lost easily—even in the familiar environment of their own territory. So it is with believers—we cannot guide ourselves. We must rely completely on the Word of God and the voice of our Shepherd-Savior.
2. Sheep are virtually defenseless. Most animals have a rather effective means of defense—sharp claws; teeth; speed; ability to hide; keenness of smell, sight, and hearing; great strength; ferocity. But sheep are awkward, weak, and ignorant; they have spindle legs and tiny hoofs, and are pitifully slow, even devoid of an angry growl. Defenseless! The only sure protection for the sheep is the ever watchful shepherd. So it is with the believer, who is admonished to be strong—”in the Lord” (Ephesians 6:10)
.3. Sheep are easily frightened. Being ignorant, unimpressive in stature, and very much aware of their weakness, sheep find comfort only in their shepherd’s presence, including his reassuring songs in the night. Psalm 27:1 also refers to this type of Shepherd-Lord relationship that we have with God.
4. Sheep are, by nature, unclean. Other animals lick, scrape, and roll in the grass to cleanse themselves—but not sheep. They will remain filthy indefinitely unless the shepherd cleanses them. We, too, by nature are unclean and filthy. Apart from our tender Shepherd’s cleansing (1 John 1:7–9) we would remain perpetually dirty.
5. Sheep cannot find food or water. While most animals have a keen sense of smell, sheep depend upon their shepherd completely. If left to themselves, sheep will eat poisonous weeds and die—and when one does it, the others will follow the leader. Again, as children of God, we are equally dependent.
6. The sheep’s wool does not belong to the sheep. While sheep may produce wool, the shepherd owns their wool. All bona fide spiritual production in the life of the Christian belongs to the Lord. The Lord, by means of the Holy Spirit, provides for all such production. In every way, you see, we are indeed “His people and the sheep of His pasture” (Psalm 100:3).
– See more at: http://www.insight.org/library/insight-for-today/the-woeful-song.html#sthash.GACiu2vK.dpuf