Be a Sheep

The use of sheep in the Bible is found frequently in both the Old and New Testaments. The most well known psalm, and maybe the most well known passage in the Bible, is Psalm 23 which equates people to sheep and God as their shepherd. Jesus continues the use of this analogy as He declares Himself the good shepherd. Herdsmen say that sheep are not particularly smart or cunning animals. They are pretty much defenseless against predators. In the American culture we don’t have too many pro football teams named “sheep” or “lambs”. Yes, there are many “rams” but they have horns that sheep don’t have. This is what a portion of Psalm 100 says: Know that the Lord, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. There is an interesting progression here that is important for us to get right. First, we are to acknowledge that God is God. Second, that He has made us. His creation of us brings responsibility on His part and accountability on our part. Third, that we are His people and the sheep of His pasture. This should be our natural reaction when we get the first two parts right. Being a sheep is not a “baaaaaad” thing to be when God is the shepherd! So, be a sheep. Acknowledge who God is and His role in your life and then rest in that role; follow Him. You won’t be disappointed.