Knowing The Great Shepherd

He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm And carry them in His bosom, And gently lead those who are with young. [Isaiah 40:11]

If you live in the country, like I do, you will often see different herds of animals roaming the countryside and crossing the road. When you drive in the country it, sometimes, often involves stopping to allow a herd of  of animals to cross the road. You may once in a while see a dead animal from the heard on the side of the road, But you will not see sheep killed or laying dead, on the side of the road. I have never seen it in all the years that I’ve lived in the country. Then I thought about it. You do not see sheep dead on the side of the road and you never have to stop your car suddenly for them because, for the most part, sheep don’t roam without a shepherd! They listen to the Shepherd and know his voice. There is a close relationship with the shepherd and his sheep. The Lord has that same loving care for His sheep. We are the sheep of His pasture. The Lord's sheep know his voice and He knows them. What a great and comforting thought! We are His!

If you are a old country boy like me you know the most defenseless time for animals is at night when they go to sleep. That is when all the wolves come out and prey. The sheepfold is where the sheep are gathered by the shepherd each night; In the middle east a compound is made, with rocks, stones, or bricks, high enough to keep out predators{something that naturally preys on others} This compound or enclosure is without a door. The shepherd of that flock lays by the door to protect his sheep. Jesus tells us that He is the “door of the sheep”  because, as a Good Shepherd, He lies where a door would be so that nothing could go in or out, without passing by the Shepherd!

Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you , I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by me if any man enter in , he shall be saved , and shall go in and out , and find pasture. A thief comes to steal and kill and destroy, but I came to give life -- life in all its fullness. [ John 10: 7,8,9,10] NASB

As evil seems to be coming from every corner, these days, and rearing its ugly head, and a much greater darkness seems to be looming on the horizon, we, as Christians, need sit down and to truly realize the powerful and complete protection that our Good Shepherd {Our Lord Jesus Christ} provides. Nothing can get to us unless it goes through Him! What a great protector! What a Great Shepherd! When the Lord laid down His life for us He also gave us a wall of protection and safety which can not be broken or done away with.

All Christians know the dark days we are, and will, be facing. {Because it will get worse as that day gets near} It is coming on us fast. Jesus gives us safety from all alarm as long as we are in the fold! We absolutely do not have to worry or walk in fear. He promises never to leave nor forsake us till the end of the world. He gave us the security that He is in and with us through every trial or danger. We need never doubt in THE GREAT SHEPHERD. We need only to trust Him. Trust and obey, for there is no other way!