We Are His Sheep
Learn what it means to be His sheep and how following the Good Shepherd each morning strengthens your faith and daily walk with God.
One of the sweetest signs of spring in Lancaster County is the arrival of baby lambs. I have always loved the idea of raising sheep. But it is a lot of work and truly a full-time job. I love the idea of it, just not the reality.
Jesus lived in an agrarian society where sheep and lambs were part of everyday life. He used them to teach the people of His day, and He teaches us through them, too. There is so much we can learn from sheep. Sometimes I wonder if He created them to help us better understand ourselves.
Sheep Facts
Here are a few things I learned about sheep and myself visiting my friend who owned a flock of sheep on a chilly Spring morning.
Sheep do not thrive well without a shepherd. They tend to get in all kinds of trouble, eat things that could hurt them, and easily fall prey to other wild animals.
The condition of the sheep is directly related to the care of the shepherd. Sheep need constant care. They get sick often and are constantly bothered by all forms of pestilence!
They are dumb! One sheep can lead a whole flock astray. They are not equipped to lead themselves. And if one sheep breaks away from the flock, it cannot defend itself! It will, if not brought back to the flock quickly, become a large, fluffy snack!
A sheep’s wool grows from the day it is born and keeps on growing. It needs to be shorn, or
Sheep don’t naturally roll on their backs like other animals. If they do, they get cast down, and this is deadly, for they have no way of righting themselves!
Sheep need constant care, and a good shepherd knows every sheep he or she is responsible for and knows what they need. This can only be done if the shepherd maintains constant, close contact with each sheep in his flock.
Although sheep graze about 7 hours a day, they consume most of their food early, at dawn!
I found it very sweet that my friend’s sheep came running to her when she called them! Sweet and very biblical! I went home from my visit with my friend and her lambs and sheep, dirty and overwhelmed by how so many things about sheep can be said about me!
Our Spiritual Food
There are so many comparisons we can make between sheep and ourselves when we think about Jesus as our Good Shepherd. It is no wonder He spoke about sheep so often. They are a lot like us.
Of all the things I noticed, one stayed with me the most.
Sheep eat early in the morning.
That simple truth says so much. Sheep know when they need nourishment most. And we do, too.
I am not talking about physical food. I am thinking about spiritual food. Time in God’s Word early in the day feeds the soul and prepares the heart for what lies ahead. It strengthens, steadies, and helps me stand firm.
Jesus Himself set this example.
VERY EARLY IN THE MORNING, WHILE IT WAS STILL DARK, JESUS GOT UP AND LEFT THE HOUSE AND WENT TO A SOLITARY PLACE, WHERE HE PRAYED. Mark 1:35
The Good Shepherd made time to meet with His Father. He had people to care for, guide, and gather. He needed that time of strength and connection.
And as His sheep, you and I should follow Him. If we belong to Him, do we recognize His voice? Do we respond when He calls?
His voice is living and present in the Word of God. It is there each morning, ready to guide, comfort, and lead. There is nourishment waiting, wisdom waiting, and peace waiting.
Starting the day with Him changes everything.
Words To Live By
Here’s a verse you might want to think about this week…
Know Ye that the Lord is God: it is He that hath made us, and not of ourselves. We are His people, the sheep of His pasture. Ps 100:3
Happy Sunday!
hi
as a shepherd I enjoyed your post. I often think of biblical references when watching my sheep. I don’t think they are dumb. They will never forget the shepherds voice. Even if rehomed to another farm, they will run to you when they hear your voice. It’s pretty amazing.
But they do mindlessly follow. Kind of similar to what’s happening in todays culture! I suspect there is safety in numbers. A sheep alone will definitely fall to a predator. That is so ingrained that if I see a sheep away from the flock, something is terribly wrong. There are tons of religious similarities even in this little comment I’m writing. That being said, you are correct about one thing. if they get on their back. they need help getting right. Kind of like us! Have a happy day
Thanks for the insight, Meg!
Loved your message about sheep- a great parallel to our lives.
Thank you for your messages.
You are welcome, God bless you.
I knew sheep needed special care but I didn’t know they were so helpless. God gave us a good example of ourselves. Thanks for a message with simple understanding.
You are so right!
Beautiful, inspired words. Bless you for sharing!
God bless you too!
Thanks, Yvonne! That was beautiful!
Good morning, Yvonne! I have been a subscriber for several years and live all of your posts, particularly the Sunday morning ones!! LOVE the sheep and shepherd analogies what a beautiful picture of our Lord!!
One side comment, I’m finding it difficult to read your posts recently. The ads keep covering or moving your beautiful texts. You might not have any control over this, but thought you’d want to know❤️
I’m working on that Pam. Sorry
When I think of sheep I always bring to mind the sheep dogs that relentlessly herd them and keep the flock together. Good message!
Thanks for using your blog to share Christ and His Word !
It is my blessing and honor to share God’s word.
thank you
Thank you Yvonne for your beautiful reflection.
I am a new subscriber. This was a great lesson. He loves every one of His “sheep” so much that He leaves the sheep in open pasture and goes after the one which is lost until He finds it. Isn’t that profound! He loves us that much!
Yes, it is profound and so filled with grace upon grace.
Hi Yvonne! I love your posts and your decorating style. I’ve been on a search for good sheets. I tried Miracle Sheets. They pill easily; otherwise are okay. I just tried Cozy Sheets. They are the only ones I’ve found that have an elastic band on all four corners of the fitted sheet. However they are way too slippery and thin. WHAT SHEETS DO YOU RECOMMEND? Kindly, Ms. LaVette
About a year ago I ordered My pillow Egyptian cotton sheets. I love them.
Yvonne, I just re-read your message. My sweet dad raised sheep, and I was always so proud of him. Jesus was a shepherd so I always knew my dad had chosen a noble profession. I learned some things from you so thank you. I did not know that their wool continues to grow. That’s amazing! As a young girl some 70 years ago, I remember my dad and his sheepherders gently placing the sheep on their backs in order to shear them. I never thought about them not being able to right themselves without assistance. After shearing them with clippers by hand (no machinery used) my dad would stand at the top of a very tall platform and as the wool was sent up to him, he would push it into a very long gunny sack and as the sack filled almost to the top, he would have to jump in to pack it down in order to have more wool added. I remember being so fascinated by this process. Thank you for bringing wonderful memories to mind. I love sheep even if they aren’t the smartest animal in the world, but the sheepherding dogs are absolutely amazing at leading them in the directions they need to go. They are indispensable…kind of like us, the ‘sheep’, needing direction by our Shepherd.
What a lovely comment, Sharon! Your memories are precious. And our Great Shepherd tends his sheep.
Loved this! In fact – printed it out for my family to read. Beautiful. Thank you, Yvonne, for all the wonderful wisdom and words and advice you share with us. God Bless.
Praise God! I’m so glad you are sharing this with your family!
I love this post. I had not thought about all of these similarities. Thank you!
No wonder we need a Good Shepherd!
It seems that you have read the book: A Shepherd’s Look at the 23rd Psalms. Wonderful book about many of the things you mentioned today. Every believer should know the dependency of real sheep on the shepherd because that is who we are in our humanness. Jesus is the Great Shepherd and we are the dumb and helpless sheep in need of a Savior. Gold Bless you and yours
I’ve not read this book Vicky. Thanks, for letting us know about it. I have a friend that has sheep.