The Good Shepherd’s Sheep
By: Maxine M.

Have you ever stopped to consider, just bring to mind, all you know about sheep?
And the awesome RESPONSIBILITY of the shepherd, for their safety is HIS charge to keep
Now a sheep is a wayward creature…their thoughts never run very deep

Prone to wander where-ever greener pastures may lead
For the most part DEFENSELESS, they become a feast on which predators feed
Frightened by rushing water, “still waters” must be provided for their need

They blindly follow without thinking or reasoning on their own
If one goes through a fence, THEY ALL GO...time & time again has shown
“Dumb” is a harsh word, but they’ve been seen sucking on mother’s wool instead of her nutritious zone

Most mothers automatically take care of their young…nature’s law readily obey
But ewes have been known to simply abandon a lamb, butting & pushing them away
To save them, the shepherd must step in without delay

Sheep are “eating machines”, inclined to munch & nibble when-ever & where-ever they dare
So they must be closely watched around oats & clover, all too rich fare
They’ll quickly sicken & BLOAT when partaking of more than their necessary share

Because of their timid “skittish” temperament, a team mascot they’ll never be
Unlike lions, tigers or bears, their instinct is to simply turn and flee
Then when scattered & unprotected, “I’m lost” their bleating mournful cry will decree

No wonder the Lord called His people “sheep”, for in Isaiah He’d plainly say…
All like sheep have gone astray…they’ve turned everyone to their own way
So for their obstinate & disobedient ways, the perfect “Lamb of God” would have to pay

But the grave couldn’t hold Him, even with armed guard & granite rock
Death was DEFEATED!! Destiny was set in motion on eternity’s clock
For in 3 days He came back!!, to be the “Good Shepherd” of the Father’s flock

So you see, we NEED to be under the Shepherd’s constant watchful eye
He knows we too tend to STRAY & OVER INDULGE…He hears our frightened cry
He carries us when we are weak…the ointment of encouragement He gently will apply

With His “crook” He brings us BACK, if we wander farther than we should
He feeds us with His word, refreshes our soul, provides all things sweet & good
Sometimes we get “LOST”…lose our way on life’s highway, but He searches to find us as He said He would

Now, the Devil goes about LIKE a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour
And we, as unsuspecting undiscerning sheep, can fall prey to his cunning power
But oh, THANK GOD!!, the Shepherd is on guard every hour!

Leading, guiding, providing…even when we’re totally unaware
Of the enemy’s presence or of the pitfalls & danger everywhere
“I know My sheep and THEY KNOW My voice”, the “Shepherd of our Soul” will declare

Even sheep can be productive in the right environment…under the Shepherd’s care
Their flesh & milk are savory protein all the world can share
Wool can produce beautiful cloth…to be designed for warmth, comfort & flair

And we too can ALL be useful for the Shepherd…HIS Glory proclaim
We can tell so many other sheep the purpose for which the Shepherd came
Gathering sheep of all races, age, gender…He will love them ALL the same

So rejoice if you’re one of the “Good Shepherd’s” sheep…His glory privileged to promote
For on Judgement Day, angels will separate SHEEP from the GOATS
HIS saved sheep on the right & the UNSAVED goats on the left…as Matthew in the Gospel wrote

So are you worried, stressed, afraid, wishing you could just run away & hide?
Seems like all those “good things” in life YOU’VE been denied?
Remember, nothing can harm you…TRUE blessings will come IF you stay by the Shepherd’s side