by Jerry Senn
Empires and countries often adopt various animals to symbolize their national spirit. The Roman Empire chose the wingspread eagle. The USA claims the same symbol. The British Empire selected the kingly lion and Russia picked the powerful bear. In each case the animal signifies strength and independence.
In the Bible we find, to the surprise of some, that God represents His people by a lamb, an animal that needs a shepherd. Spurgeon called Psalm 23, “the pearl of psalms.” Alexander Maclaren said, “The world could get along without many large books better than this sunny little psalm.” It is one of the first passages children hear and memorize. Refresh your mind and heart by reading it once again.
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He make leads me beside still waters,
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You amount my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and
I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
A conscientious sheep farmer will tell you that sheep require endless attention. Shepherding them demands more than merely leaving them on their own. Sheep are not very bright. They are almost defenseless and continually in need of protection. They need constant provision of food and rest. They easily stray. A shepherd devotes himself to these weak and dependent creatures. And this pictures in an amazingly accurate way, what the Lord does for you and me. He provides, he directs, and He protects. If you can identify with the sheep as needy, then you do not want to ever wander from Jesus our loving shepherd. (Excerpts, George Sweeting, “Songs of the Heart”).