Stubborn Sheep

May 19

“All we like sheep have gone astray;
we have turned every one, to his own way.”
ISAIAH 53:6

Sheep are notorious for going their own independent way and ignoring the Shepherd. The Shepherd is well able to protect His Sheep; the Shepherd’s challenge is to get the Sheep to stay close to Him at all times. To accomplish this He has to discipline us severely and teach us not to wander off. This is where the work of the Cross comes in.

But what a great day for both the Shepherd and the stubborn little sheep when it no longer goes its own way, but follows the Shepherd and obeys His voice! Were it not for Him the lambs would be destroyed in a moment.

Source: “Embrace the Cross” by Chip Brogden

Chip Brogden

CHIP BROGDEN is a best-selling author, teacher, and former pastor who shares "real, simple, truth" about a Christ-centered faith that is based on relationship, not religion. Learn more »

4 Comments

sherry on May 19 at 1:38 pm

Yes and Amen! How the Lord protects us from ourselves and our ignorance. This is why the Shepherds job is so important. It’s like watching out for a child on a busy street or around deep water. It’s best that we learn our place in Him so as not to be harmed by ourselves and other’s. This is a critical step in having eye’s to see danger around, that we would flee, and to stay by our true Shepherd that looks out for us and cares for us.

Charlotte Alouise Cardozo on May 20 at 4:30 am

Amen, Abiding in Him. The way a baby clings to its mother is the same way we ought to be clinging to the Lord. What better way but to be close to Him, with a surrended and dependent heart on Him. The Vine and the branche
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Kim on May 20 at 2:03 am

Our carnal minds think we are self sufficient and do not need anyone. America was once a self sufficent country blessed by the Lord. We have forgoten what the Lord told His disciples 2000 years ago that we could not do anything without Him. This applies to us today too, less we become the “Stubborn Sheep.”
Kim

Timothy B on May 19 at 10:15 am

Today’s Shepherd may have a “helper”, in the sense of a trusted Sheepdog to help him in corralling or “rounding up” the sheep that wander off. Are we acting as his Sheepdog? Willing and ready to go out, at the master’s command and bring in those wandering, wayward sheep? Or are we trusting in the Shepherd to go out and find the sheep that are stubborn, lost, and gone astray Himself? We are even protected by means of His security; but we seem so ignorant and oblivious of this fact daily. How often His angels step in to protect us when we are unaware? Let us always be mindful of the ways and means He uses to keep us safe. And then go and help Him to keep others safe as well.

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sherry on May 19 at 1:38 pm

Yes and Amen! How the Lord protects us from ourselves and our ignorance. This is why the Shepherds job is so important. It’s like watching out for a child on a busy street or around deep water. It’s best that we learn our place in Him so as not to be harmed by ourselves and other’s. This is a critical step in having eye’s to see danger around, that we would flee, and to stay by our true Shepherd that looks out for us and cares for us.
- Charlotte Alouise Cardozo on May 20 at 4:30 am
  
  Amen, Abiding in Him. The way a baby clings to its mother is the same way we ought to be clinging to the Lord. What better way but to be close to Him, with a surrended and dependent heart on Him. The Vine and the branche
Kim on May 20 at 2:03 am

Our carnal minds think we are self sufficient and do not need anyone. America was once a self sufficent country blessed by the Lord. We have forgoten what the Lord told His disciples 2000 years ago that we could not do anything without Him. This applies to us today too, less we become the “Stubborn Sheep.”
Kim
Timothy B on May 19 at 10:15 am

Today’s Shepherd may have a “helper”, in the sense of a trusted Sheepdog to help him in corralling or “rounding up” the sheep that wander off. Are we acting as his Sheepdog? Willing and ready to go out, at the master’s command and bring in those wandering, wayward sheep? Or are we trusting in the Shepherd to go out and find the sheep that are stubborn, lost, and gone astray Himself? We are even protected by means of His security; but we seem so ignorant and oblivious of this fact daily. How often His angels step in to protect us when we are unaware? Let us always be mindful of the ways and means He uses to keep us safe. And then go and help Him to keep others safe as well.