As noted by pastor and author Phillip Keller, a huge challenge for our modern-day culture is understanding Biblical metaphors that relate to agriculture and animal husbandry. There are some people who have never even seen a sheep, let alone a shepherd, and they are therefore unable to appreciate the depth of the analogy found in Isaiah 40:11. In that passage, Isaiah speaks of the love and compassionate care of God in this way: "He tends his flock like a shepherd; he gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young."
In Sunday's sermon, Pastor Sam made a point that bears repeating: A shepherd is not a hireling. Shepherds do not 'clock in' and 'clock out' of work. They are fully devoted to the care of their sheep. We catch a glimpse of this devotion in the Christmas narrative: "And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night." (Luke 2:8) The shepherds didn't "go home", because their home was with their sheep. Their watch-care of their flocks was constant and consistent.
Take note: for a shepherd, it is never "the sheep"; it is "my sheep". And just as the shepherds of the Christmas narrative opted to live in the fields with their sheep, our God has opted to make His home in our hearts! Those of us who have asked Him to dwell in us can be fully assured of God's presence. God will never leave us alone. So, even in the face of exile and suffering, there is no need for us to be afraid. God is with us (see Deuteronomy 31:6).
Troubles come. Like the sheep in the fields, we may have proverbial gnats and flies and wolves and thieves seeking to harm us. But we take comfort, and we remain at peace, because our Shepherd is present to feed, guide, and protect us.
The LORD is my Shepherd! I have everything I need! (Psalm 23:1, paraphrase mine)
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