ALL WE LIKE SHEEP - Open heavens devotional by Pastor E. A Adeboye

BIBLE IN A YEAR: 2 Chron 20-22
LIKE SHEEP Tuesday, July 20, 2010
MEMORIZE: “Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture” (Ps. 100:3) READ: Psalm 100:1-3 “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want” (Psalm 23:1). An example of a good shepherd is David. A shepherd is someone who caters for the sheep.  He identifies and satisfies the needs of the sheep. By virtue of their make-up, every sheep has these basic needs: To sustain its life, it needs food, good food.  It needs guidance. The average sheep looks foolish and so would require the shepherd to lead the way by being in front. That means sheep follow more by example - looking on to the shepherd to guide on how to do things. It also needs lots of water. Occasionally when it strays, it may not be able to retrace its way.  If the shepherd fails to go after it, that could be the end of that sheep; it will be lost. The sheep is defenseless. It was not created with abilities of self defense hence, it easily panics when confronted with a fight unlike a dog, goat or ram. Hence, the shepherd must always be present especially when they are threatened or facing danger. Being unwise, the sheep is susceptible to error hence, it needs to be corrected even by beating sometimes. But being a weak and docile animal, a sheep cannot withstand being beaten too often as it could die. “Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture” (Psalm 100:3). Man is the crown of all of God’s creation.  As strong as we are, God did not compare us with the king of animals - the lion, but with the weakest of animals - the sheep. He, being our creator, knows what He put inside of us. And He says we are the sheep of His pasture. As a leader, you need to adopt shepherding principles in leading God’s flock in your care. Never leave them to themselves. Do not say, ‘They are of age: they can sort themselves out’: They cannot! When they do wrong, correct in love but do not kill them. Do not use a sledge hammer on an ant. Feed them regularly with good food. Lead your children by example. It is so easy to learn from a leader’s example.  What example are you showing to your congregation, subordinates or children? Are you leadable? ACTION POINT: To be a sheep, you must submit to the authority of a shepherd. To whom are you yielded?