Well….you may be like me and wondering what in the world does this have to do with us as humans.\u00a0 Those were my exact sentiments.\u00a0 I think you will be just as amazed as I was when you see the deeper meaning here.<\/p>\n
In order for sheep to lie down and rest, four\u00a0requirements must be met.\u00a0 The unique aspect of the picture is that it is only the sheepman\u00a0(shepherd) who can provide\u00a0for these requirements.\u00a0\u00a0The health, stability and survival of the\u00a0entire flock all depends on the shepherd.\u00a0 It is actually he who makes it possible for them to lie down, to rest, to relax, to be content and quiet and flourishing.\u00a0 Let’s look at these requirements one by one.<\/p>\n
1.\u00a0 Owing to their timidity they refuse to lie down unless they are free of all fear.\u00a0 You may not know that sheep are very timid and panicky.\u00a0 Just one site of the smallest unexpected creature popping out and the entire herd will stampede.\u00a0 When one startled sheep runs in fright a dozen others will bolt with it in blind fear, not waiting to see what frightened them.\u00a0 In Phillip Keller’s\u00a0book, A Shepherd Looks at the 23rd Psalm, he tells of his horrifying\u00a0experience as a shepherd when he awoke and went out to check on his flock and found nine of his choicest ewes, all soon to lamb, lying dead in the field where a cougar had harried the flock during the night.\u00a0 He says after that experience he slept with a .303 rifle and flashlight by his bed and at the least sound of the flock being disturbed he would jump out of bed calling his faithful collie and rush out to protect his sheep.\u00a0 One of the things that he soon learned through his experiences was that nothing so quieted and reassured the sheep as to see him in the field.\u00a0 WOW!!\u00a0 That is incredible.\u00a0 The presence of their master and owner and protector put them at ease as nothing else could do, and this applied day and night.\u00a0 In the Christian’s life there is no substitute for the keen awareness that my shepherd is nearby.\u00a0 There is nothing that dispels the fear, the panic, the terror of the unknown.\u00a0 It is the work of the Holy Spirit that makes known to us the presence of our Good Shepherd.\u00a0 He comes quietly to reassure us that Christ Himself is aware of our dilemma and deeply involved in it with us.<\/p>\n
2 Timothy 1:7 “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.”<\/p>\n
2.\u00a0 Because of the social behavior within the flock, sheep will not lie down unless they are free from friction with other of their kind.\u00a0 Believe it or not there in the fold lies tension, rivalry, and cruel competition.\u00a0 Just as there is the “pecking order” among chickens and the “horning\u00a0order” among cattle, there is a “butting order” among sheep.\u00a0 It is usually the arrogant, cunning, and domineering old ewe\u00a0that will be the boss in the flock.\u00a0 This ewe\u00a0will maintain position of prestige by butting and driving other ewe’s or lambs away from the best grazing or favorite bedgrounds.\u00a0 Succeeding this one in precise order the other sheep all establish and maintain their exact position in the flock by using the same tactics of butting and thrusting at those below and around them.\u00a0 Because of this rivalry, tension and competition for status and self-assertion, there is friction in the flock.\u00a0 The sheep cannot lie down and rest in contentment.\u00a0 Always they must stand up and defend their rights and contest the challenge of the intruder.\u00a0 Again, it is the presence of the Shepherd that will attract the attention of the sheep and they will forget their foolish rivalries and stop their fighting.\u00a0 Occasionally the shepherd must use his staff and discipline the older ewes and we will see more of that in the phrase, “His rod and staff, they comfort me.”<\/p>\n
We are just as these sheep.\u00a0 The struggle for self-assertion and self-recognition goes on and on.\u00a0 Most of us fight to be “top sheep”.\u00a0 We butt and quarrel and compete to “get ahead” and in the process we hurt ourselves and others.\u00a0 I’m remembering what James said in chapter 4 verses 1-3<\/p>\n
“What is causing the quarrels and fights among you?\u00a0 Isn’t it the whole army of evil desires at war within you?\u00a0 You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it.\u00a0 You are jealous for what others have, and you can’t possess it, so you fight and quarrel to take it away from them.\u00a0 And yet the reason you don’t have what you want is that you don’t ask God for it.\u00a0 And when you do ask, you don’t get it because your whole motive is wrong – you want only what will give you pleasure. (NLT)<\/p>\n
We must remember that when our eyes are on our Master they are not on those around us.\u00a0 This is a place of peace.\u00a0 In the end it is he who will decide and judge what my status really is.\u00a0 After all, it is His estimation\u00a0of me that is of consequence.\u00a0 Any human measurement at best is bound to be pretty unpredictable, unreliable, and far from final.\u00a0 So, to be close to Him, conscious of His abiding Presence, made real in my mind, emotions, and will by the indwelling gracious Spirit, is to be set free from fear of my fellow-man and whatever he might think of me.\u00a0 I would much rather have the affection of the Good Shepherd than occupy a place of prominence in society….especially if I had attained it by fighting, quarreling, and bitter rivalry with my fellow human beings.<\/p>\n
“Blessed [happy, to be envied] are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy”.\u00a0 Matt. 5:7<\/p>\n
3.\u00a0 If tormented by flies or parasites, sheep will not lie down.\u00a0 This is essential to the contentment of sheep.\u00a0 As we know it is in the summertime that flies are at their worst.\u00a0 During this time sheep can be driven to absolute frustration by nasal flies, bot flies, warble flies and ticks.\u00a0 They can not rest when tormented with these pests.\u00a0 They are up on their feet stomping their legs, shaking their heads, ready to rush off into the bush for relief from their pests.\u00a0 Again, we see that it is the diligent care of the shepherd who must keep a constant look out over his flock to know when they are being harassed.\u00a0 A good shepherd will take swift action and use the application of insect repellents\u00a0on the sheep.\u00a0 He will also see that they are dipped to clear their fleeces of ticks.\u00a0 He will also make sure that there are shelter belts of trees and bush available where they can find refuge and release from their tormentors.\u00a0 All of this entails extra care and expense on the part of the shepherd.\u00a0 The primary purpose in the shepherd’s mind is the aim of keeping his flock quiet, contented, and at peace.<\/p>\n
Similarly in the Christian life there are bound to be many small irritations.\u00a0 There are the annoyances of petty frustrations and ever-recurring disagreeable experiences.\u00a0\u00a0What is the antidote?\u00a0 Can any of us come into quietness and contentment despite them?<\/p>\n
The answer for the Christian is “YES”!\u00a0 This is one of the main functions of the Holy Spirit.\u00a0 In Scripture, the Holy Spirit is often symbolized by oil-by that which brings healing and comfort and relief from the harsh and abrasive aspects of life.\u00a0 The gracious Holy Spirit makes real in me the very presence of Christ.\u00a0 He brings quietness, serenity, strength, and calmness in the face of frustrations and futility.\u00a0 When I turn to Him and expose the problem to Him, allowing Him to see that I have a dilemma, a difficulty beyond my control, He comes to assist.\u00a0 Often a helpful approach is simply to voice aloud, “Master, this is beyond me-I can’t cope with it-it’s\u00a0bugging me-I can’t rest-please take over!”\u00a0 He does in His own wonderful way.\u00a0 He applies the healing, soothing, effective antidote of His own person and presence to my particular problem.\u00a0 There immediately\u00a0comes into my consciousness the awareness of His dealing with the difficulty in a way I had not anticipated.\u00a0 And because of the assurance that He has become active on my behalf, there steals over me a sense of quiet contentment.\u00a0 I am then able to lie down in peace and rest.\u00a0 ALL BECAUSE OF WHAT HE DOES!\u00a0 If you notice here….there are no “three points and a poem”.\u00a0 There is nothing that you do other than call out to Him and He does the rest.\u00a0 He is a Good Shepherd!<\/p>\n
4.\u00a0 The fourth and final requirement that must be met for sheep to lie down and rest is they must be free from a feeling of hunger.\u00a0 In the areas of the country that are known as great sheep countries of the world there is a dry, semi-arid climate.\u00a0 This happens to be the very best climate for sheep to flourish.\u00a0 They are susceptible to fewer hazards of health or parasites where the climate is dry.\u00a0 But it is very interesting that these regions are not natural places to find lush, green pastures.\u00a0 David kept his sheep near Bethlehem which is a dry, brown, sun-burned wasteland.<\/p>\n
These green pastures that the sheep so desperately need did not just happen by chance,\u00a0 Green pastures were the product of tremendous labor, time, and skill in land use.\u00a0 In order for green pastures to be made the shepherd must go in ahead of time and clear rough, rocky land, tear out brush and roots and stumps; he must plow deep and carefully develope the soil and make it ready for seeding and planting special grains and legumes.\u00a0 Then there is also the matter of irrigating with water with careful, watch of the crops of forage that would feed the flocks.\u00a0 To top it off he must also have\u00a0several\u00a0pastures prepared for his sheep.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00a0All of this represents\u00a0tremendous toil and skill and time for the careful shepherd.\u00a0\u00a0If his sheep were going to enjoy green pastures amid the brown, barren hills, it meant he had a tremendous job to do.\u00a0 But these pastures are essential to the welfare of the sheep.\u00a0 Even when lambs are maturing and the ewes need green, succulent feed for a heavy mild flow, there is no substitute for good pasturage.\u00a0\u00a0Incidently…no sight so satisfies the shepherd as to see\u00a0his flock well and quietly fed to repletion on rich green forage, able to lie down to rest, ruminate, and gain.<\/p>\n
Now, a hungry, ill-fed sheep is ever on its feet, on the move, searching for\u00a0another scanty mouthful of forage to try and satisfy its gnawing hunger.\u00a0\u00a0These sheep are not contented, they do not thrive, they are of no use to themselves nor to their owners.\u00a0\u00a0One shepherd\u00a0described it as, “…they languish and lack vigor and vitality.”\u00a0<\/p>\n
What is the application for us as Christians here?\u00a0 Well, focus now your attention on the “Promised Land” that God mentioned in\u00a0Scripture.\u00a0 This is the land that God worked so hard to lead\u00a0Israel to from Egypt.\u00a0 This land was described to the children of Israel as a land “flowing with milk and honey.”\u00a0 When studying\u00a0the scientific technology involved in\u00a0agriculture you will find that this term\u00a0“a land flowing with\u00a0mild and honey” is not only figurative language but also scientific terminology.\u00a0 In agricultural terms they speak of\u00a0a\u00a0“milk flow” and\u00a0“honey flow”.\u00a0 By this\u00a0they mean the peak season of spring and summer when pastures are at their most productive stages.\u00a0 The livestock that feed on the forage and the bees that visit the blossoms are said to be\u00a0producing a corresponding “flow” of milk or honey.\u00a0 So a land flowing with milk and honey is a land of rich, green luxuriant pastures.<\/p>\n
When God\u00a0spoke of such a land for Israel\u00a0He also foresaw such an abundant life of joy and victory and contentment for His\u00a0people.\u00a0 For the child of God, the Old Testament account of Israel moving from\u00a0Egypt into the Promised Land is a picture of us moving from sin into the life of overcoming victory.\u00a0 We are promised such a life.\u00a0 It has been provided for us and is made possible by the unrelenting effort of\u00a0Christ on our behalf.<\/p>\n
Picture this…He works to clear the life of rocks of stony unbelief.\u00a0 How\u00a0He tries to tear out the roots of bitterness.\u00a0 He attempts to break up the hard, proud human heart that is set like sun-dried clay.\u00a0 He then sows the seed of His own precious Word, which, if given half a chance to grow, will produce rich crops of contentment and peace.\u00a0 He waters this with the dews and rain of His own presence by the Holy Spirit.\u00a0 He tends and cares and cultivates the life, longing to see it become rich and green and productive.\u00a0 All of this shows the unrelenting energy and industry of an owner who wishes to see his sheep satisfied and well fed.\u00a0 It really shows that my Shepherd’s desire\u00a0is to see my best interests served.\u00a0 His concern for my care is beyond my comprehension, really.\u00a0 At best all I can do is to enjoy and revel in what He has brought into effect.<\/p>\n
Now, this life of quiet overcoming, of happy repose, of rest in His presence, of confidence in His management is something few\u00a0Christians ever fully enjoy.\u00a0 Why?\u00a0 I think it is because of our own stubbornness and perverseness we often prefer to feed on the barren ground of the world around us.\u00a0 We don’t want to take the time to open ourselves up to our\u00a0Good Shepherd and let\u00a0Him do the work in our hearts to bring this about so we go off on our own looking for spiritual forage to satisfy our deep inner longings.\u00a0 For those who do long for those pastures, there they will find peace and plenty.<\/p>\n
Psalm 63:1-8 \u00a0<\/p>\n
“O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you.\u00a0 My soul thirsts for you; my whole body longs for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I have seen you in\u00a0your sanctuary and gazed upon your power and glory.\u00a0 Your unfailing love is better to me than life itself; how I praise you!\u00a0<\/p>\n
I will honor you as long as I live, lifting up my hands to you in prayer.\u00a0 You\u00a0SATISFY me more than the richest of foods.\u00a0 I will praise you with songs of joy.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I lie awake thinking of you, meditating on you through the night.\u00a0 I think how much you have helped me; I sing for joy in the shadow of your protecting wings.\u00a0 I follow close behind you; your strong right hand holds me securely.”\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Thank you, my Abba Father!<\/p>\n
Dana<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Well….you may be like me and wondering what in the world does this have to do with us as humans.\u00a0 Those were my exact sentiments.\u00a0 I think you will be just as amazed as I was when you see the deeper meaning here. In order for sheep to lie down and rest, four\u00a0requirements must be met.\u00a0 The unique aspect of the picture is that it is only the sheepman\u00a0(shepherd) who can provide\u00a0for these requirements.\u00a0\u00a0The health, stability and survival of the\u00a0entire flock all depends on the shepherd.\u00a0 It is actually he who makes it possible for them to lie down, to rest, to relax, to be content and quiet and flourishing.\u00a0 Let’s look at these requirements one by one. 1.\u00a0 Owing to their timidity they refuse to lie down unless they are free of all fear.\u00a0 You may not know that sheep are very timid and panicky.\u00a0 Just one site of<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[3,8],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/anewlifedesign.org\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/179"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/anewlifedesign.org\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/anewlifedesign.org\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/anewlifedesign.org\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/anewlifedesign.org\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=179"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/anewlifedesign.org\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/179\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/anewlifedesign.org\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=179"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/anewlifedesign.org\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=179"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/anewlifedesign.org\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=179"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}