by Many years ago, I was introduced to the Christian Bob Jones movie, “Sheffey”. If you have seen this film then this devotional may have more meaning. If you have not seen it, it is now available from Bob Jones University for free on YouTube!
The film is based on the life and ministry of a “Circuit-Riding” preacher in the late 1800’s named Robert Sheffey. He was a tremendous man of prayer. At one point in his ministry, he had been gifted with a beautiful, white, sheepskin to protect his knees when he would kneel down to pray. His life story greatly impacted me!
Now, “fast-forward” to 2006 when my husband and I were missionaries in England. Sheep are big business in this country and woolen garments are popular. I had hoped to find a white, sheepskin sometime for my husband to kneel on during his prayer times because he had a great interest in the life of sheep during Bible times. He had preached many sermons on sheep, as well as on the shepherd. I continued procrastinating, though, and, sadly, never followed through.
For some of us, Psalm 23 is the Bible chapter we first think of in reference to sheep. “The Lord is my SHEPHERD…” He is the shepherd, we are the sheep! Or, maybe, for some of you, the account of the “shepherds keeping watch o’re their flock by night” during Jesus’ birth comes to mind. Perhaps your thoughts drift toward the lost sheep. Sheep are very intriguing animals which is probably why God compares us to sheep!
Last year, we moved to a tiny piece of property on top of a plateau at the altitude of 2100+ feet. This was “country-living” at its height! (No pun intended!) So much so that I felt like we were homesteading and have been living this idealistic life to the fullest! On our little “homestead” we planted a garden, bought some baby chicks and later a rooster, and then began raising rabbits! Neither me nor my husband had ever lived in the country, much less raised farm animals!
Then I got to thinking! Wouldn’t it be something that, after all the sermons my husband has preached about sheep and shepherds, if he actually had the opportunity to raise his own lamb?!!!! At that point, I became consumed with the idea! Out of curiosity, I looked on-line and found several farmers who were selling lambs. I wanted just one lamb but learned that, because they are social animals, you must raise them in pairs or in a flock.
I responded to several advertisements. One man refused to even sell anyone just one lamb unless they already had a flock. This convinced me that, if we pursued this venture, we would need two lambs. Our property might just barely eek out grazing land and accommodations for two if we worked it just right!
Isn’t it interesting that God knew that man, being a social person, could not live alone? So, He made him a help meet! Genesis 2:18 And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.
That weekend was my husband’s 70th birthday so, guess what he got? (Well, maybe it was more for me!…Sort of like a man buying his wife a shotgun!) Our family drove about an hour away to pick up these two, little 8-week old, ram lambs. We expected them to be much smaller and were not prepared properly to transport them so ended up toting them home in the floorboard of our son’s double-cabbed pick-up truck. My husband road in the backseat in case they got a little testy! It was a sight!
The tan one is named Sheffey, after that great man of God, and our white one is named, Gideon, after one of Mr. Sheffey’s white horses that he traveled on! Other than filling our freezer, I wanted to tan the hides and make a special cushion for my husband to kneel on when he prayed. They are Katahdin lambs which are noted for having thick, coarse hair, rather than wool. We did buy them for eventually putting food on our table this summer when they reach butchering weight but, being Hair Sheep, I am not sure how well their hides will tan! (Ironically, at our age, we chuckle at the idea of even getting down on our knees to pray! Arthritis pretty much makes our praying a sit-down affair these days!)
All of that to share how we are much like sheep. Sometimes I am laughing out loud at Sheffey’s and Gideon’s antics and other times, I want to send them to “Freezer Camp” much sooner! I can only imagine God being amused as He looks down on His children while, at other times, He may be ready to call us home before we do more damage!
It became apparent that our property was so small and void of good grazing that we have had to take our lambs outside the fenced-in yard on dog leashes to let them graze on better grass and plants. As we have spent time with them, I made many observations. Here are just ten of the many characteristics I have learned from our lambs compared to our walk with the Lord.
- Sheep have no concept of orderliness and just as they are grazing on a patch of grass with a tasty clover flower ahead, they will turn another way. It reminds me of anticipating the direction of a “Roomba” vacuum cleaner! But, aren’t we the same way? God provides for us and when He blesses us with a special treat, practically in front of us, we turn the other way to feast on something of lesser quality! Our sheep are masters at going astray! Isaiah 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
- Sheep are jealous and selfish. When one of our lambs looks over to see what the other is eating, he will leave his good fortune and nudge the other out of the way to eat from the same spot. Deuteronomy 5:21 Neither shalt thou desire thy neighbour’s wife, neither shalt thou covet thy neighbour’s house, his field, or his manservant, or his maidservant, his ox, or his ass, or any thing that is thy neighbour’s.
- Sheep can be easily spooked and run. Twice, our lambs heard an unfamiliar noise when we first began taking them outside the fence and tried to dart away. In the process, they caught me off-guard, causing them to trip me and fall. As Christians, rather than trusting God to hold our reigns, we often want to run when things are unfamiliar. Sometimes, this will cause others to stumble. 2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
- Sheep are “ruminants” and regurgitate their food to re-chew it so it is more palatable. As Christians, shouldn’t we be “regurgitating” God’s word, chewing on the same passages over and over for a better understanding? Psalm 119:97 O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.
- Sheep love to play and run. In the evenings, ours enjoy running and playing chase all over the yard! It is good exercise for them and they learn how to defend themselves with “play, head-butting”. When we put on the “armor of God” we must also “prove” it by practicing how to use it.
- Ephesians 6:11-18 11 “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;“
- Sheep will head-butt for attention. Our lawn has become our “pasture land” for the time being and I can hardly sit on the porch for a time of relaxation. These guys want my attention and think it is funny to start head-butting my shoe or knee. They will try to knock something out of my hand. Particularly, with children but, adults, as well, will create a scene to be noticed to get attention. Now, we all know that can be a bad thing but, how earnest are we at seeking the heart of God? Do you remember the parable about the woman who kept pleading to the judge to avenge her of her adversary? He could care less about her need but, because of her continual nuisance, he granted her request! Verse 5 of Luke 18:1-8 says,Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.
- Sheep will rummage through the “nasty” to get to the good! If our lambs get a chance, they will charge into the rabbit pen to nose through the rabbit droppings and urine-soaked hay, just scrounging for feed that has also dropped through their cages. While, all along, we have fresh feed waiting for them in their stall. The prodigal son would have gladly rummaged through the filth to fill his belly while his father had a table ready to be spread for him. Luke 15:16 describes how depredated he had become; “And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.” Have you found yourself rummaging through the garbage of the world while God is standing there waiting to feed you from His table of blessings?
- Sheep will lay down in perfect peace when they are content and feel safe. How are we in resting in God? If we are in His will, we can be content and our anxieties are put to rest when we trust in Him. Psalm 56:3 What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.
- Similar to goats, sheep can be stubborn. Sometimes, we need to push, pull, shove, and physically force our lambs to move or do something! Are we stubborn at times when it comes to witnessing, giving, or volunteering for something to be a blessing to someone? (Yeah, I am talking nursery duty for those who are physically able!). Galatians 6:10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
- Sheep know their master’s voice. Okay, we are still working on this one! But, they DOknow that when I call out, “Here chick, chick, chick”, to my chickens, they KNOW I am about to scatter some sunflower seeds and they come running as fast as the chickens! Do you know the Father’s voice? Are you running to do His will when He calls out to you in scripture? John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:”
We are enjoying our sheep tremendously and, yes, having such a close relationship with them is going to make it hard when butchering time comes around. Everyone reading this has probably faced the departure of someone you loved. While we will meet these boys again on our dinner plate, as Christians, we will meet our saved, loved ones in heaven some day! The best thing of all is that, the One who should be the closest one we fellowship with through His written word, Jesus Christ will be reunited with us in heaven one day! John 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”
