LOOKING TO THE SHEPHERD All Thanks to the Keeper of the Flock
With an Eye Fixed on Him
Such a memorable day In the pastures of May, And the brook sparkles Just past the green. And the flock is at rest Where the grazing is best. And the gambolling Young can be seen. On a prominent rise Where the plover oft’ flies 1
C. Doug Blair, 2012
Seated, handsome and Strumming his lyre. ‘Tis the shepherd they see With a new melody Which the day and the way Had inspired. Now the trek had been steep And his pace they did keep, Till the luscious uplands Had been gained. And the grass was so sweet Glistening under their feet, For the previous night It had rained. Soon with grazing all done And the warm mid-day sun, There were many who Stretched out and slept. But a few cautious rams Proudly eyeing their lambs, Caught a glimpse of the Dark shape which crept. Oh the wolf had been keen Smoothly agile and lean, As he shadowed the Flock in ascent. And if he had his way On this blissful spring day Many young would be Cornered and rent. But the rams simply eyed Their sweet singer and guide 2
To confirm that he Saw the threat there. And he, taking the sling To deter the foul thing Reassured there was No need for care. (Let us heed this tale well Ere the forces of hell Try to topple our Climb to the height. That when Evil comes on Threatening slaughter and wrong, We keep only the Shepherd in sight.)
The Shepherd Heart
I cannot rest, In knowing that just one Has left the fold. And now the setting Of the sun Will leave him cold, In some dark wood, Deprived of all my good, A wandering lamb. I will depart, And hasten to the place Where he is trapped. And there again I’ll See his face, 3
And have him wrapped In my warm plaid; His heart no longer sad, A rescued lamb. LUKE 15: 4, 5, 6, 7 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. Note: When I think of the diligence of this shepherd, I am tremendously comforted.We are told at the end of Isaiah 53 that "he shall see of the travail of his soul and be satisfied." Every one of the intended flock shall be gathered and safe in the Heavenly Home. This speaks to his sovereignty and his keeping care.
The Bell-Weather
A young sheep has proved itself dangerously rebellious and independent. Continuously it goes into hazardous places, eating inappropriate foods, spurning the fellowship of the flock. Soon the Shepherd will apply the old remedy. He takes the sheep and swiftly breaks one of its delicate legs. The sheep is stunned by this uncharacteristic behaviour. With low and soothing words and sounds the Shepherd sets the fracture and holds the patient effortlessly in his strong and capable arms, speaking affectionately to it. In the days to follow, as the flock travels to one and another grazing place or 4
refreshing stream, the Shepherd carries his charge on his shoulders and close to his heart. They are in constant communication. The little sheep observes his Master's vigilance and service for the flock; his patience with the faltering; his resilience in changing weather; his sparing use of harsh words; his laughter at the gamboling antics of the little ones; his patient application of oil and herbal mixtures to alleviate a malady or the constant irritation of summer's insects; his physical stamina; his predisposition to song or the wise old village adages. The sheep has come to realize that the beating heart beneath his mending frame is a heart of love. The day arrives when the broken leg is healed. The Shepherd then applies a small bell around the sheep's neck. The sheep takes this as a special gift from his leader-healer-friend. Henceforth the "bell-weather" chooses to remain close to the Shepherd. Other sheep note the peculiar comfort and intimacy of their relationship. They fall in beside the ringing one. To be close to that sound is to be close to the safety, provision and growing delight of the Good Shepherd. Isaiah 40: 10Behold, the Lord GOD will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him. 11He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.
See How Refreshing “The Message� Is Psalm 23 1-3 God, my shepherd! I don't need a thing. You have bedded me down in lush meadows, you find me quiet pools to drink from. True to your word, you let me catch my breath 5
and send me in the right direction. 4 Even when the way goes through Death Valley, I'm not afraid when you walk at my side. Your trusty shepherd's crook makes me feel secure. 5 You serve me a six-course dinner right in front of my enemies. You revive my drooping head; my cup brims with blessing. 6 Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life. I'm back home in the house of God for the rest of my life. (Bible paraphrase by Eugene Peterson)
Bug Spray
Thanks to Phillip Keller for his most worthy book, "A Shepherd Looks at Psalm Twenty-three". Keller, a Canadian, student and practitioner of agronomy, one-time shepherd, world traveler, nature photographer and Christian writer and lay speaker. The following was inspired by one of his chapters. Psalm 23: 5Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. In the warm season when the shepherd had the flock in remote pastures, the 6
bugs were the major problem. Their invasion of the eyes, nostrils and mouth could drive the sheep well beyond distraction. Afflicted ones could literally fret themselves to death under the siege. The only relief came with the wind or with a special potion of oil and herbs that the shepherd poured upon the face of the willing patient. Until the sheep got an understanding of the blessings of these remedies, something had to be done to get its attention and to cause it to stand still. Nothing did the job but the soothing sound of the concerned shepherd's voice and the words of empathy and assurance that he employed. Interestingly the two main symbols for the Holy Spirit in scripture are wind and oil! First the Master's voice must be heard, then the submission, then the gracious application of the "Helper". The Greek word for "comforter" used in Jesus' Upper Room message to his disciples translated "comforter, helper, paraclete, stand-by, supporter". The "bugs" which torment us - guilt, insult, meddling, envy, impatience, slander, unbelief, self-pity, lust, pride will all be dispersed, if not eradicated, by the Helper. We are told in Galatians chapter five that the Spirit's application brings "love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance". Consider them all as sparkling facets of the diamond of love. Diamonds, by the way, achieve their richness under extreme pressure. Common stuff becomes precious. So, my friend, listen for the Voice, submit, be comforted, be changed.
“In Mufti�
He was the glorious Son of God in mufti. I can remember Phillip Keller using words to this effect in his noteworthy book "A Layman Looks at the Lamb of God". This is an excellent book on the entirety of the Bible theme of the sacrificial lamb. It may be just the right size to impact the "busy" man or woman.
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The words "in mufti" suggest an officer out of uniform and in civilan clothes, or some sort of disguise. It had particular reference to certain Muslim leaders or judges. One who comes so unadorned may be ignored by the popular throng who look for the indicia of success, wealth and public renown. Uniforms often raise the inference of such credit. We assume the best in the adorned one, the decorated one, the one who is heralded in the street. But with such trappings removed will the intrinsic worth of the man make itself known? Hear the words of Isaiah in chapter 42 concerning Jesus: 1Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. 2He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street. 3A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth. 4He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law. Eugene Peterson gives an interesting turn to this in The Message: 1-4 "Take a good look at my servant. I'm backing him to the hilt. He's the one I chose, and I couldn't be more pleased with him. I've bathed him with my Spirit, my life. He'll set everything right among the nations. He won't call attention to what he does with loud speeches or gaudy parades. He won't brush aside the bruised and the hurt and he won't disregard the small and insignificant, but he'll steadily and firmly set things right. He won't tire out and quit. He won't be stopped until he's finished his work—to set things right on earth. Far-flung ocean islands wait expectantly for his teaching." 8
Jesus had the touch of the commoner. Hillside village. Carpenter shop. Fishing docks. Vineyards. Crops of grain. Pastures of sheep. Vigorous constitution. Strong craftsman's hands. A hardy voice easily heard by large crowds, but used so much more frequently for quickening, considerate private conversation. I am glad that he did not easily stand out, so that the power of his message and life could develop gradually, subtly and without alarm. Just like his parables. As the Lord said unto the prophet Samuel in the choosing of David as king, "the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7b) There is another consideration here. In the Gospel visit Christ's purpose was to serve and save. The fine trappings of King and Judge were not appropriate. But in His Second Coming, things will be different. Hear the prophecy of Isaiah in chapter 33: 22For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; he will save us.
He Goeth Before
He goeth before And none can change the order. He goeth before And scopes the next day’s climb. He goeth before Through every kind of weather. And knoweth their strength, Their tender lambing time.
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He goeth before And sweet will be the grazing. The waters pure To slake and soothe each friend. He goeth before Their fearless, guarding champion. The wolf or bear Brought swiftly to its end. He goeth before To miss no bleat of terror, Push of pride Or action out of place. He goeth before Til evening’s gentle bedding When every sheep Takes courage from His face.
I Am the Door of the Sheep
When night time fell and the sheep were in the fold, the shepherd literally lay down as the human door to the compound. The movements of all the sheep were known to him and not a single one could attempt to wander into trouble without his knowledge. He had been given the care of the flock by his superior and he would serve to the laying down of his life that none be lost. Have you been taken up by the Shepherd? Do you recognize His voice? Do you understand that He is the only way into assured safety? In times of trouble will you first look to him confident that he is undertaking a rescue?
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God’s Hand On It
Taken from "Beside the Bonnie Brier Bush" by Ian Maclaren. How providence saw Flora Campbell home... When Marget came, Flora told her the history of her letter. "It wass a beautiful night in London, but I will be thinking that there iss no living person caring whether I die or live, and I wass considering how I could die, for there iss nothing so hopeless as to hef no friend in a great city. It iss often that I hef been alone on the moor, and no man within miles, but I wass never lonely, oh no, I had plenty of good company. I would sit down beside a burn, and the trout will swim out from below a stone, and the cattle will come to drink, and the muirfowl will be crying to each other, and the sheep will be bleating, oh yes, and there are the bees all round, and a string of wild ducks above your head. It iss a busy place a moor, and a safe place too, for there iss not one of the animals will hurt you. No, the big highlanders will only look at you and go away to their pasture. But it iss weary to be in London and no one to speak a kind word to you, and I will be looking at the crowd that iss always passing, and I will not see one kent face, and when I looked in at the lighted windows the people were all sitting round the table, but there wass no place for me. Millions and millions of people, and not one to say 'Flora,' and not one sore heart if I died that night. Then a strange thing happened, as you will be considering, but it iss good to be a Highlander, for we see visions. You maybe know that a wounded deer will try to hide herself, and I crept into the shadow of a church, and wept. Then the people and the noise and the houses passed away like the mist on the hill, and I wass walking to the kirk with my father, oh yes, and I saw you all in your places, and I heard the Psalms, and I could see through the window the green fields and the trees on the edge of the moor. And I saw my home, with the dogs before the door, and the flowers that I planted, and the lamb coming for her mik, and I heard myself singing, and I awoke. But there wass singing, oh yes, and beautiful too, for the dark church wass open, and the light wass falling over my head 11
from the face of the Virgin Mary. When I arose she wass looking down at me in the darkness, and then I knew that there wass service in the church, and this wass the hymn-"'There is a fountain filled with blood.' "So I went in and sat down at the door. The sermon wass on the Prodigal Son, but there iss only one word I remember. 'You are not forgotten or cast off,' the preacher said; 'you are missed,' and then he will come back to it again, and it wass always 'missed, missed, missed.' Sometimes he will say, 'If you had a plant, and you had taken great care of it, and it was stolen, would you not miss it?' And I will be thinking of my geraniums, and saying 'yes' in my heart. And then he will go on, 'If a shepherd wass counting his sheep, and there wass one short, does he not go out to the hill and seek for it?' and I will see my father coming back with that lamb that lost its mother. My heart wass melting within me, but he will still be pleading, 'If a father had a child, and she left her home and lost herself in the wicked city, she will still be remembered in the old house, and her chair will be there,' and I will be seeing my father all alone with the Bible before him, and the dogs will lay their heads on his knee, but there iss no Flora. So I slipped out into the darkness and cried 'Father,' but I could not go back, and I knew not what to do. But this wass ever in my ear, 'missed,' and I wass wondering if God will be thinking of me. 'Perhaps there may be a sign,' I said, and I went to my room, and I saw the letter. It wass not long before I will be in the train, and all the night I held your letter in my hand, and when I wass afraid I will read 'Your father loves you more than efer,' and I will say, 'This is my warrant.' Oh yes, and God wass very good to me, and I did not want for friends all the way home. "The English guard noticed me cry, and he will take care of me all the night, and see me off at Muirtown, and this iss what he will say as the train wass leaving, in his cheery English way, 'Keep up your heart, lass, there's a good time coming,' and Peter Bruce will be waiting for me at the Junction, and a gentle man iss Peter Bruce, and Maister Moncur will be singing a psalm to keep up my heart, and I will see the light, and then I will know that the Lord hass had mercy upon me. That iss all I have to tell you, Marget, for the rest 12
I will be saying to God." "But there iss something I must be telling," said Lachlan, coming in, "and it iss not easy." He brought over the Bible and opened it at the family register where his daughter's name had been erased; then he laid it down before Flora, and bowed his head on the bed. "Will you ever be able to forgive your father?" "Give me the pen, Marget;" and Flora wrote for a minute, but Lachlan never moved. When he lifted his head, this was what he read in a vacant space:-FLORA CAMPBELL. Missed April 1873. Found September 1873. "Her father fell on her neck and kissed her."
Christ Knows His Own
(A memorable devotional from J. R. Miller) “I… know my sheep.” John 10:14 The Oriental shepherds had certain marks by which they knew their own sheep. Even in this country the farmers put marks on their sheep, — their own initial, or an “ear-mark,” or some other particular sign by which they will know them anywhere. Christ knows His people by certain distinguishing marks.
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He knows them by their faces. There is something in every true child of God which shows where he belongs, — some family likeness, some feature of the Divine image shining out. The prodigal’s father knew his son when he saw him a long way off. In his rags, his beggary, amid the traces of dissipation, the eye of love recognized the child. Christ knows His own, however dim the likeness, by their faces. The crowds do not recognize heaven’s princes in the humble Christians they meet; but every angel knows them. Not only does Christ know His own by their faces, but also by their voice. The mother knows her child’s voice anywhere, even in the darkness, and can distinguish it among a thousand voices. Christ knows the voices of His own wherever He hears them speak or cry.. He knows them also by their character. Even if the outside is rough and uncouth, it does not hide from His eye the inner life, the spirit, the heart. He saw the future Peter with all his grandeur of character in the rude Simon who was brought to Him. He knows His friends by their obedience. He knows the white garments of righteousness which His redeemed ones wear. He knows His disciples by their following where He leads. He knows the penitent heart by the fragrance it puts forth. It is an altar of incense. It is a box of ointment broken open. As we find out the hiding-places of flowers by their odours, so God knows the home of the penitent heart by the sweetness that floats up from it. He knows His own.
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