Life through the Lamb's Lens

I went to a friend’s house the other day to celebrate her birthday. What I love about her house is that she has this giant picture of a sheep in her dining area. It’s positioned perfectly behind the long table where we gathered so it became the beautiful backdrop of our photos that evening. As I look back through the pictures, I am reminded of how we are sheep in need of a shepherd. J

It is quite fascinating to consider that sheep are mentioned over 400 times in the Bible, more than any other animal. Perhaps it is because sheep were important to the life of the Hebrews during that time, but I wonder if it is also because the term, “sheep” is one of God’s go-to metaphors for His people?

When we look at life through the lens of a lamb, we can see many “whys” to this term of endearment, but there are three connections in particular for us to ponder. Lambs have an innate need for protection, direction and provision. It is pretty humbling to learn that God intentionally created sheep as one of the few defenseless animals. Sheep have no claws, no quills, no sharp teeth and no ability to scare the enemy. Matthew 10:16 says, Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. A sheep’s best defense is to consistently stay close to the shepherd. This need for protection is also linked to their need for direction. We all know that sheep have a propensity to wander and follow each other. (See Isaiah 53:6). In 2005, one sheep jumped off of a cliff in Turkey and the remaining herd, 1,500 sheep, followed suit! Yikes! Yes, sheep are in need of a shepherd that will not only lead them to safety, but also towards a place of provision. Psalm 23:1-2 is such a beautiful picture of Jesus leading us as our good Shepherd. When we follow His lead, we have everything we need. When He is our guide, we get to experience Divine rest (even amidst the demands of everyday life) and when dry spells surface, we can take a long drink from the Living Water that will quench our thirst.

We are created to live life through the lens of a lamb, as one who needs protection, direction and provision. It is so easy to pull up the bootstraps and try to protect ourselves or wander into whatever culture demands and then find ourselves in a place of seeming lack… May we ever remember that we are indeed wanton sheep in need of a shepherd….a shepherd who knows oh-so-well what it means to live life as a sacrificial lamb – OUR sacrificial lamb! He knows our every need and whispers for us to follow His lead. Do we know His voice? Are we willing to follow? If we can say, “yes”, God’s best protection, direction and provision will follow…

The Lord is my Shepherd. I have everything I need. He lets me rest in fields of green grass

and leads me to quiet pools of fresh water. Psalm 23:1-2

p.s. Here is a funny little video about what it means to follow... :)

#Sheep #Follow

On Becoming the Little Flock who Remembers The Rock

Have I mentioned recently how much I L-O-V-E the One Year Bible? I think I have mentioned several times in the past few posts and yet I can’t help but shout from the rooftops what an adventure it is to seek the Lord through this amazing Source of Truth. Time and again, I open it with a heavy-ish heart and ask the Lord to speak, praying through Psalm 139:23-24:​​

• Search me O God and know my heart – what is happening in my heart this morning?

• Test me and know my anxious thoughts – do I feel anxious about anything?

• See if there is an offensive way in me – do I need to seek forgiveness from someone or offer forgiveness to someone?

• And lead me in The Way of everlasting life… (caps mine) – Lord, lead me. Jesus, you are The Way and The Way Maker, inform my approach and give me your marching orders for the day. Lead me moment by moment through the Truth of your Word.

Well, this has been the case in recent weeks. Sitting down with a heart tempted to worry and choosing instead to allow the Truth of God’s Word to instruct, correct, exhort and encourage. Even though I leave that sacred time with my Lord with nothing changed in the physical, I find everything changed with the lens through which I see and the peace-filled stance of my heart.

As I opened the One Year Bible today, I was yet again stunned by the relevance and timeliness of God’s Word! I will include the passages that I read below and then wrap up with a quick thought and prayer of encouragement :)

…no harm will come to the godly… Proverbs 12:21 [Promise!!!]

…Then they remembered that God was their Rock… Psalm 78:35

Oh how often [the Israelites] rebelled against [God] in the wilderness and grieved his heart in that dry wasteland. They did not remember his power – how He rescued them. They did not remember his miraculous signs [how He saved them from their enemies]…52 but He led his own people like a flock of sheep, guiding them safely through the wilderness. He kept them safe so they were not afraid. Psalm 78:40-43, 52

Jesus speaking: Can all your worry add a single moment to your life? And if worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that what’s the use of worrying about bigger things? And if God cares so wonderfully for the lilies of the field…He will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?

[Worry] dominates the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world, but your Father already knows your needs! Seek the kingdom of God above all else and He will give you all you need.

So don’t worry, little flock, for it gives your Father great happiness to give you the kingdom. Luke 12:25~30

He is the Rock; his deeds are perfect. Deuteronomy 32:4 [Faith-filled Proclamation!!!]

But the rock of our enemies is not like our Rock… Deuteronomy 32:31

Can you see the sweet tenderness of the Father to speak so specifically? In various books of the Bible in today’s collection, He addresses worry, tells how the Israelites grieved his heart for not remembering His faithfulness, but then recalls when they did remember that He is their Rock!

The Word of God is direct, offering correction and yet tender, offering encouragement all in one sweeping motion…His love for us takes my breath away!

I love that the Old Testament reading reminds us how our heavenly Father leads us like a flock of sheep, guiding us safely through the wilderness. Even though we might not know what is ahead, just like the Israelites, He will keep us safe SO THAT we will have no need of fear! He promises that, no harm will come to the godly.

And then can we talk about Jesus’ kindhearted words of compassion??? Our Shepherd, Savior, Protector and Lord calls us His, “little flock”, reminding us not to be afraid for our Father takes great delight in providing for our very specific needs! Just as our Creator cares for the flowers of the field, Jesus promises that our God, will certainly care for us!

Oh, Father God,

How your Word takes my breath away! Your Word says that your very breath is what brought us to life so why would it be any different today? Your Word is just that! Your Word! It is your breath of life and we praise you that we can turn to your Word moment by moment and you will speak! And not only that, we can take you, The Word, at your Word! Father, we do not want our thoughts to be dominated by worry. We do not want to grieve your heart…we desire to seek your notice in such a way that would cause you to say, “Oh my, Son! Oh my, Daughter! You have such great faith!” We lay all of our burdens at your feet knowing that worry cannot add a single moment to our lives. You are trustworthy. You are faithful. We remember that You are our Rock – our Bedrock! You alone are our Foundation and your deeds are perfect! We entrust our future to you knowing that as your “Little Flock”, You know our specific needs even before we speak them! Jesus, we choose to follow you as our Shepherd. Holy Spirit. give us eyes to see, ears to hear and minds to remember that we are God’s Little Flock who stand firm on The Rock!

p.s. As I was reading and writing in my journal this a.m., these two songs played on Spotify…only God, in His perfect timing, would double His encouragement through song while I soaked in the foundational bedrock of the Truth of His Word! Y’all! Test Him and see that He is good! His Word is relevant and timely and an immediate perspective changer! :)

Raise A Hallelujah ~Bethel Music

Do It Again ~Elevation Worship

Thank you Desktop Nexus for the use of the sheep pic :)

#worry #faith #rock #sheep