My name is Esther, and I am a sheep. In the Bible, sheep and their care-takers, shepherds, are mentioned over 500 times! WOW! That’s more than any other animal in the Bible, so sheep are apparently pretty important to God. As Christians, we refer to ourselves as sheep, and God is our Great Shepherd. Over the next several days, I’m going to be bringing you the Christmas story in my own sheepy way.
Several times throughout the Old Testament, God refers to his people as his sheep:
30 And they shall know that I am the Lord their God with them, and that they, the house of Israel, are my people, declares the Lord God. 31 And you are my sheep, human sheep of my pasture, and I am your God, declares the Lord God.” --Ezekiel 34:30-31
Sheep were very important to the children of Israel. God knew that his people would understand sheep and shepherd references very well. The prophet Isaiah describes exactly what God means when he says he is our shepherd:
He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom; and gently lead those that are with young. --Isaiah 40:11
Just like a shepherd watches over his sheep, God watches over us. He takes care of us. When Isaiah says that God will gather the lambs in his arms and he will carry them in his bosom, it means that like a good shepherd, he picks us up and holds us close to him. Although God doesn’t physically hold us, he holds us in many other ways. He takes care of us, he loves us, and he puts people in our lives to take care of us and love us. God holds us close to him by providing for us. Isaiah also says that God will gently lead those that are with young. Shepherds have to take extra care of sheep who are expecting babies. They have to be led a little more gently and they have to eat a little more. Sometimes in our lives, God has to lead us and provide for us in different ways too. God is a good shepherd. He takes care of us. We are his flock.
Today, think about the good things that God has given you. There are lots of things to be thankful for: having a place to live, your family, and having food to eat. Are you thankful that God gave you those things? God gives us everything we have, so that’s a lot to be thankful for! Think of some things you are grateful for, and thank God for those things today.
“Dear Lord, thank you so much for all you have given me. There is so much to be thankful for! I appreciate you always taking care of me. You love me so much, God, and I just want to thank you for your love. Forgive me for taking the things I love for granted sometimes. I know you have provided everything that I have. You are a good God and our Great Shepherd. Thank you for always taking care of your sheep, in Jesus’ name. AMEN!”
