God As My Shepherd - The Flock As My Support

Today I am beginning my study of God as my shepherd.  The official name for this is Yahweh Roi (pronounced yah-WEH row-EE).  This means that when I pray to the God who is my Yahweh Roi I am praying to the One who watches over me day and night, feeding me and leading me safely on the path of righteousness [rightness and upstanding with Him-Ps. 23:3 AMP].

My study today led me to look further into Sheep behavior 101.  I found so much!  In beginning this blog I will capture my musings as I study and reflect on the Word of God along with insights that God is giving me each day to enrich and guide me in the path of righteousness.

Okay, the first thing!  On http://www.sheep101.info/201/behavior.html I found several listings of general sheep behavior.  Being an educator by trade, and raised in the city, I have NO knowledge of what a shepherd does.  So, I found it funny that I am suppose to be a sheep and I am not even aware of the behaviors and characteristics that are suppose to define me as a "sheep" --one that is following Jesus Christ!  So, I thought it necessary to look a little deeper.

The first thing I learned is about 'flocking behavior'.  I discovered that this behavior is instinctive to sheep;  Sheep run from what frightens them to the safety of the band of other sheep.  This provides the only protection to sheep from predators--banning together in large groups!  Therefore, there is safety in numbers.  When sheep are together it is harder for a sheep to be picked off or out of the group for attack.  It is easier for a predator to go after sheep that stray.

So, my musing for today is:

• If we are the sheep, the desire and the need to be with others and especially other believers should be instinctive. Certainly, once we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior our need to be with other believers is instinctive because of the Holy Spirit's presence in our life.  Therefore, His presence, as we allow him to grow in our lives draws us to want and even NEED to be with other believers.

It is spiritual "instinct" (the Holy Spirit) driving or drawing us to a desperate need to fellowship with other saints. This reminds me of the scripture in Hebrews 10:25 which says, "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching."   The reality may be, that if we are choosing to be separate it is because as sheep, we are straying.  This straying sets us up for attack by predators, namely the enemy and all of his attacks. As believers, when we stray we are outside of our "instinctive" arc of safety the fiery darts of the world are sure to attack and in many cases overtake when we forsake assembling and are away from the protection and covering of the Great Shepherd.

In short, I learned that as a sheep my safety is found in bonding with other believers and under the leadership and protection of the Great Shepherd, Jesus. I should truly never forsake the assembling of myself with other believers. I realize, as I feed my spirit it will yield to the Spirit of God and He will increase His instinct in me to want to be with 'other sheep.'  In the banning together with other believers we have support and 'group' strength.  And,  under the guidance of The Great Shepherd, Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior he protects the entire flock!  For me, this revelation was so comforting and reassuring.  I thank God for His insight today and look forward to his continuing to develop this insight in my life today.