The Shepherd and His Sheep | Psalms 23 | J. Allen Mashburn

The Lord could have compared His people to anything in the world. He could have said, "My people are like bears, they are strong!" He could have said, "My people are like lions, they are courage, fearless and brave!"He could have said, "My people are like foxes because they are so shrewd and wise." He could have even said, "My people are like doves because they are so peaceful and meek."

Instead, when the Lord described His people. He called them sheep. As you may or may not know, sheep are not the brightest animals to ever appear on the earth. In fact, they have a reputation for being quite stupid! They are dumb and they are defenseless! They require a shepherd to care for them. They require a shepherd to protect them. They require someone who will look after their smallest needs and who will lead them to where they need to be. When the Lord called us sheep, it may be less than flattering, but it is right on target!

Since sheep are so needy, they form a special bond with their shepherd. He is required to get to know them intimately. He knows the ones who are prone to wander. He knows the weaker ones. He knows the loyal ones too. He even knows them all by name. The sheep, despite their stupidity, becomes familiar with the voice of the shepherd. They know his sound and his smell. There is a bond between sheep and shepherd that just isn't found anywhere else in the world of agriculture.

If you ever come to understand that, then being called a sheep isn't such a bad thing after all! This much beloved Psalm allows us a glimpse into the unique relationship between the Heavenly Shepherd and his human sheep. We are reminded in these verses that we enjoy a special bind with our Shepherd. Notice the blessings we can glean from this Psalm today as we think about The Shepherd And His Sheep.