The Shepherd

"He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arms, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young." Isaiah 40:11

It is a relief to know that the life of faith is not dependent upon our ability to trust, but upon HIs trustworthiness. The sheep can trust their shepherd if He is a good shepherd. And we are the sheep of His pastures. His sheep may safely gaze.

All of His sheep.

The lambs which He gathers with His arms may certainly graze safely and know that even if they stumble and fall, the Shepherd will "lay down his life for the sheep." He will "gather the lambs with his arm . . . "

Those of us who have known Him over a period of time know that He will care for those new in His love. We can assure them that He gathers the newborn Christian in His bosom with great tenderness and great gentleness. But for those who have been the sheep of His flock for a longer time and who have been given the sometimes painful work of carrying young Christians or non-belivers as a sheep carries her young, here is great hope for us in this "blue stone" verse too.

"He shall . . . gently lead those that are with young." The enemy is also very watchful over "those that are with young." Traps are everywhere. Storms blow up suddenly and we try to rush and push past the others to the safety of what we think is the fold. On the way, in our foolish haste, we may drop the "young." Only the Shepherd knows how to lead us safely. Only He can recognize the false traps of the enemy. I was led to Christ by one who had never before brought anyone to Him. She led me safely because she listened to the Shepherd. She let Him lead her.

He shall . . . gently lead those that are with young.

By Eugenia Price, taken from "Share My Pleasant Stones"