THE SHEEP OF GOD’S FLOCK
Zechariah 10:2 For the idols have spoken vanity, and the diviners have seen a lie, and have told false dreams; they comfort in vain: therefore they went their way as a flock, they were troubled, because there was no shepherd.
Many times throughout the Word of God, people, God’s Highest creation are referred to as sheep and as a flock of sheep.
In this verse – we see the results of what happens to people when there is no shepherd to lead them.
A) When there is no shepherd, man will listen to anyone, anything that sounds pleasing to his ear and which bows to THE VANITY OF MAN.
1)They speak out in praise of man’s ability to take care of himself
2)In glorification of their accomplishments in science, medicine and industry
3)They put man on a pedestal and parade him before all the world as a god who can attain unto greatness on his own.
B)Those great speakers and those proclaim themselves leaders in this world promise a whole lot that they have no power do deliver.
1)They promise that all things will get better and that one day man will created his own heaven on earth.
2)They promise that all men will learn to dwell together in unity under one government and under one economy.
C)There are promises that man can achieve anything he wants to achieve if he focuses his whole attention to getting what he wants.
1)While I do believe that people should better themselves and do all they can to improve their life, we must not focus only on getting those things that we desire of this world. The things that God wants must be our main thing.
PAT RILEY, AN NBA COACH SAID, “KEEP THE MAIN THING, THE MAIN THING”
JESUS SAID, “SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD, AND ALL THESE THINGS SHALL BE ADDED UNTO YOU.”
The problem is that people listen to these PLEASANT VOICES of the world. They sound good, they sound wonderful, they excite us, they make us think, dream, desire more, and wind up leading us just like a bunch of ignorant sheep into a desert place.
We are like a flock of sheep, who do not recognize or even have a shepherd. We are led about by voices in the wind, turning and following anything that speaks to us.
GOD’S PEOPLE SHOULD NOT BE THIS WAY. WE HAVE A GREAT SHEPHERD TO LEAD US.
--DO WE KNOW HIS VOICE? ARE WE LISTENING FOR HIM?—
Let’s look at what the GOOD SHEPHERD DOES FOR US.
Psalms 23:1 The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
The shepherd has the responsibility of supplying the needs and wants of the flock. The flock cannot provide for themselves.
JESUS KNOWS WHAT WE NEED. HE KNOWS THE DESIRES OF OUR HEART. HE HAS THE POWER AND ABILITY TO PROVIDE BOTH AND STILL KEEP US CLOSE TO HIM.
Psalms 23:2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures: he leads me beside the still waters.
Jesus knows what is best for us. He knows where to find that grass that we think always looks greener on the other side of the fence.
He not only leads us to what we really need and want but he also gives us the ability to lie down in it or rest in His provision. We won’t have the restlessness of the world that is constantly running from one job to another, from one spouse to another, from one house to another looking for greener pasture. God knows where your pasture is greenest for you and He will keep you there in perfect peace. (Even in the midst of the trials of life, He will give you perfect peace.)
Sheep are a fickle animals. Whenever they approach water to get a drink, they are easily frightened if the water is moving too quickly. They are insecure within themselves. Fear seems to be always right at the edge within them.
People are the same –
During the Y2K scare – the greatest danger was not the computer problem itself, its the fear that it created.
FOOD & GAS SHORTAGES - the shortages haven’t been the problem. The problem is that our pleasure crazed and gluttonous generation are suddenly afraid that they might have to stay home more or not have their caviar when they want it so their fear drives them to get theirs before its all gone.
STOCK MARKET SWINGS – while these can have a devastating effect on individual people and businesses, most of the effects could be overcome in time if people just wouldn’t panic. Fear drives them to suicide and to empty the banks.
FEAR IS THE DEVIL’S GREATEST WEAPON ON MANKIND.
But Jesus leads us beside the still waters. He keeps us at peace with a calm assurance that He will provide for us no matter what the shortages are.
Even if Y2K would haved caused havoc, Jesus would have provided a way for us.
No matter what the stock market does, God will make a way.
Psalms 23:3 He restores my soul, he leads me in the paths of righteousness for name’s sake.
In the midst of world chaos, Jesus renews my soul.
When the world cowers in fear, He gives me power and victory.
When the world is in utter confusion, Jesus gives me a sound mind and a discerning spirit to understand what is happening and why.
The world can’t understand what is happening, they don’t realize why things are happening the way they are.
But the people of God know what the Word of God says and they are not taken by surprise and neither are they fearful because they know that God has it all under control.
The GOOD SHEPHERD never forsake his flock. Jesus will lead us through because He has promised to do so.
Because He is the Good Shepherd, He cannot fail us.
He is JEHOVAH JIREH – OUR PROVIDER. He cannot allow us to fail.
Psalms 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil. For thou are with me, thy rod and thy staff they comfort me
The flock of this world tends to wander about and suddenly find themselves in danger. Satan rules this world to kill, steal and destroy.
A sheep in the desert country of the far east would wander aimlessly until it found a dry canyon where there were predators and death on every side but it hasn’t the sense to even escape.
THE PEOPLE OF GOD’S FLOCK –
Go where their shepherd leads and he won’t lead us into a dead end canyon.
We live in a world that is condemned to die
We live in a society that threatens death and destruction with every step
We walk around in cities that are unsafe and foreboding
We live in constant danger of robbery, sudden death and injury
BUT EVEN IN THE MIDST OF THIS VALLEY OF DEATH WE AREN’T AFRAID.
Because the rod and staff of our shepherd are at our disposal.
The staff to help lift us out of the canyon and set our feet on higher ground.
The rod to drive away our enemy and to keep us in the path that the shepherd wants his flock to go.
Psalms 23:5 Thou prepareth a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil: my cup runneth over.
The shepherd has the responsibility of protecting his flock. They aren’t able to protect themselves.
The shepherd builds the sheepfold to guard and protect the sheep at night from robbers and wild animals. He gives them the grass they need in the sheepfold to keep them satisfied while he stands guard over them with his rod in his hand.
GOD PROVIDES FOR HIS FLOCK
When everyone else is worried, I know God will provide.
Sure the Devil and his cohorts are all around me. Sure they still want to steal, kill and destroy us.
BUT THE GOOD SHEPHERD IS WATCHING OVER ME. I JUST GO ABOUT ENJOYING THE BLESSINGS OF GOD AND LET HIM TAKE CARE OF ME.
There are times when, in the far eastern flocks, a sheep will actually be injured even though the shepherd is watching over him. The shepherd will pour olive oil into the wound to cause it to heal.
GOD FORGIVES US WHEN WE FAIL, HE RECONCILES US TO HIMSELF. HE PROVIDES HEALING FOR OUR HURTS, OUR WOUNDS, OUR SICKNESS AND DISEASE.
HE GIVES US THE OIL OF THE HOLY GHOST TO HELP US HEAL.
Psalms 23:6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
The sheep of this world have no shepherd. They have no promise of protection. No provider. They live in fear. They dwell in danger.
They are easy prey for Satan, in fact he has already killed them spiritually and he knows that they will spend eternity in hell with him. But he still wants all men.
For God’s People
We are blessed greatly. God is a good God, a merciful God. His goodness, mercy and grace abound to us every day.
He will never leave us nor forsake us and will stay closer than a brother.
THE CHRISTIAN LIFE IS THE GREATEST LIFE OF ALL.
But the greatest promise is still to come.
We will get to live in Heaven for eternity. To live with our Good Shepherd forever under His care.
The far east shepherd knows his flock well. He knows their personality, their needs, wants and desires. He understands them far more than they understand themselves or ever could.
Jesus knows what you want.
He understands your heart’s desires
He knows why you think the way you do and act the way you do and yet loves you anyway
He knows what you desire and how to satisfy your desire far better than you do.
THANK YOU JESUS FOR BEING OUR GOOD SHEPHERD!
