Day 300 Little Flock

 

10/27/2026 

"Thus says the LORD: 'Stand by the roads, and look,

and ask for the ancient paths, where the good

way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls.'"

Jeremiah 6:16

 

One of the questions people ask each other when they are first introduced or get together again to catch up on years between is "What are you doing now?" A retired person of my age should be having the time of her life, especially after working in a human service position for so many years. So many times I hear the words "You deserve to do something for yourself." When in dialog I am asked that question or the similar ones of how I spent my life, it can become quite detailed, and this is the time I begin to explain to them who has first place in my heart. Yesterday I spoke of an incident where a young salesman came to our house to offer solutions to assist us in saving energy. Although his company offered valuable resources, it just wasn't something we could pursue at this time. But when he left I felt "less than," because I am not living the life he thought one in my age bracket should have, but limited based on my sole source of income. That's the way the enemy attempts to bring me down off the wall of intercession, if only briefly, so he feels that he can still take me down the rabbit hole of defeat. Well, it didn't work. In fact the encounter made me grateful for the life that I have been given, and the spiritual gifts and natural talents that he has gifted me to do His work at this stage of my journey. I am so incredibly blessed, even with very little coinage jingling in my pocket, without a fancy house, or two, or sporting a new car; without a stamp on my passport - without a passport! And I am content, happy even, just to wake up each morning, breathe in fresh clean air and proclaim "This is the day the LORD has made; I will rejoice and be glad in it!" and mean it. My life is full, and I am loved by God. 

Daily Bible reading keeps me grounded and equipped for a life of prayer and intercession, as Holy Spirit directs. My daily walk through the Scriptures now finds me in the book of John, an apostle to Christ, whose descriptions of the teachings of Jesus are so rich and colorful. When I think of the character of Jesus and the way He walks with us through each step and carries us when we are weak and uncertain, I think of Him as the Great Shepherd described in the 10th chapter of the book of John. It's always interesting to see how Jesus countered the questions and baiting of the Pharisees and religious leaders who were always hiding in the crowds when Jesus taught. After he healed the man blind from birth they interrogated him relentlessly demanding to know who healed him. Getting no satisfaction from the beleaguered man, weary of having to repeat the same words over and over again, the man finally exclaimed, "One thing I know: that though I was blind, now I see." Later when Jesus encountered the man again, he accepted Jesus as Lord. Still the religious leaders demanded that Jesus explain Himself. They became incensed even further when Jesus spoke of the difference between true vision and true blindness. Then Jesus continued with the analogy of the Good Shepherd who cares for His flock and the hireling, who only cares for his own needs.

"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers" (John 10:1-6). 

Of course those listening do not understand, as they are not only spiritually blind but spiritually deaf, so Jesus explains:

"Then Jesus said to them again, 'Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd. Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father'" (John 10:7-21).

Naturally the Pharisees and religious leaders were still confused, but there were some who began to question, and some who believed Jesus was sent from God. I know that Nicodemus, Joseph of Arimathea, and Jairus were among those who believed Jesus and secretly followed Him. I know there must have been more who tired of the self-imposed rules added to the laws Moses had received from God, making it impossible for the people to follow the religious leaders' expectations. Jesus came to set them free, and they recognized this fact.

Phillip Keller has authored several books about the life of a shepherd, beginning with A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23. He grew up in Kenya with missionary parents, and as a shepherd himself, he understood the loving attention needed in caring for sheep and the great blessing received in ministering to the flock's  needs. In Bible times a sheepfold was a cave, and the shepherd laid across the opening at night to protect the sheep from predators or from getting out, getting lost, and injuring themselves. Sheep are not known to be intelligent in overseeing their own welfare, so they are dependent on their shepherd. They are known to easily stray away while feeding, but they cannot trace their way back; they have a tendency to overeat, so when they lie down they cannot get up again; if they get into the water, they can easily drown, and they are extremely vulnerable to wolves and other predators. One thing in their favor is that they do indeed know and respond to their shepherd's voice. I have watched sheep from different flocks, that have been placed inside a fence together, follow the voice of their shepherd when each herd is called out by its shepherd. It is amazing how they are capable of understanding given their other foibles. This is why no one wants to be compared with sheep, or a church's congregation called "a flock." But Isaiah 53:6 likens us as sheep: "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all." Here Isaiah is speaking of Jesus laying down His life for us who are likened to sheep who have strayed far from the Word. The comparison makes us very cognizant of our need for a Shepherd to lead us. So then, why do we resist His gracious offer?