In God's Flock

I recently read a passage on social media that made me stop and think.  It was a very encouraging passage regarding a lone sheep and his shepherd.  The passage stated, “A sheep was found after wandering off for 6 years.  He carried extra weight from not having a shepherd to care for him.  It only took 20 minutes for the shepherd to shave off the extra weight he had picked up in the 6 years of not having a shepherd…”

          I took solace and comfort in this little story.  It immediately made me think of God, our shepherd.  As Christians, we all tend to slip away from time to time and venture from the fold.  But no matter how far we wander or how long, our Shepherd is always pleased with our return.  And it only takes a short moment, upon return, to right the wrong of our wanderings.  I’m reminded of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15:11-32, verse 24 in particular which states, regarding the sons return, “For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.”

          We also find in the scriptures, that being in the fold of God, gives us the promise of security and strength.  Matthew 11:28-29 says, “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” 

          Peace is also found in the fold of God.  Philippians 4:7 tell us, “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” 

          And lastly, when in the fold of God, the scriptures tells us that God will provide for us, just as a Shepherd provides for his flock as Matthew 6:25-34 tells us.  Verses 25 and 26 state, “Therefore I say unto you, take no though for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on.  Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?  Behold the fowls of the air; for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them.  Are they not much better than they?”

          These passages are just a few that I thought of while studying for this article, but I think they show the power and security that being in God’s flock gives us.  And if we hope to survive in the wilderness, we will need our Shepherd just as the sheep need their shepherd.  I hope that this article has been beneficial and encouraging to you as it has been to me. 

- Jordan Hopkins