Day 2: Hear His Call

In the old testament portion of the Bible, David (poet and king) reflects on his personal relationship with God. In Psalms 23 he sings “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He takes me to lush pastures, He leads me to refreshing water.” Other examples of God's goodness and faithfulness that David testifies to…God, restores my strength, leads me on easy paths, protects and comforts in the darkest valleys, and prepares a feast for me while my enemies can only watch. David is confident that “I will live in the Lord's house for the rest of my life.”

Domesticated sheep are not great providers or protectors for themselves. It is in the sheep's best interest to follow the caring and competent shepherd. The shepherd leads them to restful pasture and guards them. As ruminants, sheep need rest...time to lay still, chew their cud, and move the grass from one stomach chamber to the next. Without rest, they cannot fully benefit from the nutrition that the shepherd has led them to. Sheep have good memories but no GPS to help them to find new pastures. They have no real self-defenses to rely on. The shepherd makes the difference between a hard life full of fear/struggle and one full of security/plenty.

Think about this sheep/shepherd analogy for a bit.

• Do sheep initiate the relationship with the shepherd?

• Does the sheep need to earn the invitation into the flock?

• Is the sheep asked to accomplish great deeds to remain in the flock?

• Is the sheep ever asked to do anything outside of what the sheep is naturally equipped to do?

The answers are no, no, no, and no (just in case you are not sure). Sheep need only learn to recognize the voice of the shepherd, do “sheepy” things under the protection of the shepherd, and follow where He leads. Don't worry if there are some blurry bits in the analogy. Can you imagine yourself as a sheep in God’s flock?

Specific Questions and Challenges

I've never been an actual shepherd. But, I believe it is a rare sheep who intentionally runs away from their caring and competent shepherd. They are naturally drawn to those they trust. But, what about sheep who go astray (fail to hear or follow) through their own ignorance, preoccupation, or distraction?

Read Matthew 18:12-14.

How attentive is the Father to the individual?

How enthusiastic is He over the re-found lost?

Read John 10:11-17.

What price has God placed on His flock (and has already paid)?

God promises to reward all those who diligently seek Him…He is not hard to find. In fact, He calls out to us at every turn. He shouts for our attention in the thunder. He sings in the rhythms of nature. He speaks eloquently in the stars. His stern yet loving voice whispers quietly to our hearts when we are still. He calls us individually by name. In John chapter 10 we find

“He [Jesus] calls His own sheep by name and leads them out…the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep…I know My own and my own know Me.” (NET)

Life In His Presence