Follow THE Leader

Okay, folks!  WOW!

As I shared yesterday, I am beginning my study of God as my shepherd- Yaweh Roi. I am using the following (non-secular) website, to build my knowledge about sheep  http://www.sheep101.info/201/behavior.html.  Today I have continued my reading of this website and my reflections on the content as it relates to God's Word.

In my reading today, I read the following:

[Sheep] Follow the leader
When one sheep moves, the rest will follow, even if it is not a good idea. The flocking and following instinct of sheep is so strong that it caused the death of 400 sheep in 2006 in eastern Turkey. The sheep plunged to their death after one of the sheep tried to cross a 15-meter deep ravine, and the rest of the flock followed.
Even from birth, lambs are taught to follow the older members of the flock. Ewes encourage their lambs to follow. The dominant members of the flock usually lead, followed by the submissive ones. If there is a ram in the flock, he usually leads.

The WOW factor in my reading was God's revelation through this scripture in John 10:11 which says:

I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for his sheep.

Thanks be to God he is the kind of God who will not allow me to be 'plunged to my death'! I never realized how key a 'good' shepherd vs. a 'bad' shepherd were to us as children of God! As I reviewed the passage again God spoke this scripture to me in John 10:4

And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.

Knowing that sheep are taught at a very early age to follow the leader and furthermore the most dominant leader of the group we must recognize that as people we are like sheep. Instinctively, we have a need to follow a leader! WOW!  As a person who knows Christ your instinct should be to follow him--you're a sheep!!  Who knew??  For those who do not have a relationship with Christ, I was reminded of this scripture in:

Isaiah 53:6 says, "All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned everyone to his own way." 

And again, in Jeremiah 50:6 it says, "My people hath been lost sheep: Their shepherds have caused them to go astray, they have turned them away on the mountains."

The key to these scriptures is...Who have you chosen to be your leader/Shepherd? And, where are you allowing your leader to lead you? Folks, there are bad shepherds and good  shepherds. Who is your shepherd?

Jesus, emphasizes that he is the 'good' shepherd.  He will not allow us to be led astray.  As his sheep we will follow his voice and do not have to worry about sheep being led to our death and destruction because He loves us so and has already given His life for his sheep, and through His death we receive our life!

Psalms 23:3 says, "He restoreth [gives back] my soul [my mind, life, emotions, etc.,]: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

It is for His name's sake that he's a good shepherd.  He does not allow us to be led astray because it is so that through our restoration of life and His guidance He receives glory and honor! Amen!

Romans 8:36-37 says, "As it is written, for thy sake we are killed all the day long: we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.  Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us." 

Wow!  We don't have to let our instinctive nature to follow as sheep, lead us astray to death, destruction and demise. NO! Rather, we can trust in Jesus as our Savior who died for His sheep so that they could live and follow Him! Hallelujah!

My prayer today is:  Thank you God for sending Jesus, Our Savior, the good shepherd--the One who never will lead us astray and furthermore makes us conquerors over all of lifes tribulations, fiery darts and hardships.  I pray for every non-believer that You will reveal yourself to them as a GOOD shepherd so that they will not be lost and led astray.  You love us, and we know that because you died for us and gave your life in our place.  Thank you Jesus! And, thank you God! Amen.

Be blessed!