Friday, April 16, 2010
John 10:28 "I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand."
OUR SHEPHERD KEEPS US SAFE
There is perhaps no animal as vulnerable to attacks of predators than sheep. Not only do sheep not possess fangs or claws to fend off predators, they aren't known to be the most intelligent of beasts. Left to their own devices, with no one to watch over them, they will expose themselves foolishly to all kinds of danger.
Small wonder Scripture uses the illustration of shepherd and sheep to picture our relationship to Jesus. Without His watchful eye looking after us and His strong arm defending us, we'd be fair game for the vicious wolf, Satan, who lies in wait to pounce on and destroy us. We would not be able to fend him off, much less recognize the perilous traps he sets for our souls. How blessed we are to have a Shepherd so loving and kind. He uses the rod and staff of His Word to guide us around the traps, direct us into safe territory, and protect us from every foe all through our desert journey. Thanks to our Shepherd, not even the last enemy death is a threat to us. As David writes in the shepherd psalm: "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever."
