For my sheep Sophie, Heidi, Julie, and Annie, I know them by name, to be relaxed enough to lie down they need to feel safe, not be bothered by flies or mosquitoes, have full bellies, and not be thirsty. Then and only then can they lie down.
Annie is the wildest of the four. When a stranger enters their enclosure she bolts, leaping through the air. Guess what that does to the rest of the sheep. They start running too. All sheep can do when frightened is run. That is the only defense they have. One scared sheep passes that fear onto the others.
Can the sheep provide for their own safety? Absolutely not! That is where shepherds and sheep dogs come in.
During the months when the flies and mosquitoes are thick, I make sure the grass in their pasture does not get too long. That keeps the bugs down.
I make sure they have ample supplies of hay, and lots of clean water.
Can the sheep bail their own hay for the winter months or haul their own water? Absolutely not. That is where the shepherd comes in.
The shepherd’s role is to keep the flock calm and content. When the sheep are calm and content, they are healthy.
Jesus desires to keep us Spiritually content and healthy. He provides for our every need. All we need to do is follow Him! It is when we stray that problems arise. We, like sheep, tend to want to stray.
“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.” Psalm 23:1 NIV
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