For thus says the Lord GOD: I myself will search for my sheep, and will seek them out.
(Ezekiel 34.11 NRSV)
In his book, A SHEPHERD LOOKS AT PSALM 23, Philip Keller recounts his own experience raising sheep. He tells how ewes, ready to bear offspring, when chased by dogs or other predators will lose their unborn lambs. A shepherd's loss from such forays can be appalling. One morning he found nine of his choicest ewes, all soon to lamb, lying dead where a cougar had harried the flock during the night.

It was a terrible shock to someone new to the business of raising sheep. From then on, he slept with a rifle and flashlight by his bed. At the least sound of the flock being disturbed, he would leap from bed and, calling his faithful collie, dash out into the night, rifle in hand, ready to protect his sheep.

In the course of time, he came to realize that nothing so quieted and reassured the sheep as to see him in the field. The presence of their master and owner and protector put them at ease as nothing else could do, and this applied day and night. (3) The sheep look to the shepherd for protection. The good shepherd knows his sheep and is known by his sheep.

In the same way, God is our shepherd.

Dear God, thank for being my shepherd. Amen.

Ron Newhouse

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