“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.”

The Bible is full of scriptures drawing parallels between people and sheep. Why is that? Old and New Testament books alike compare God’s people to sheep. While researching for this devo, I found a great article online on the “Mom Remade” page. She pointed out some pretty funny, and hard-hitting comparisons between people and sheep. See if you agree:

Sheep have no sense of direction. Like none. Like couldn’t navigate themselves out of a paper bag. That is why the shepherd is so vital to the flock. Without a good leader, the flock could very easily walk right off a cliff. In fact, check out this funny story: In Eastern Turkey about 1500 sheep fell off a cliff. The first 400 plummeted to their death only to break the fall for the remaining 1100. Apparently, the sheep in the back couldn’t see what was coming, and the sheep in the front couldn’t stop when they saw the cliff because the sheep in the back were pushing forward.  

Man, does this sound like mob mentality. How many times have you seen large groups of people participate in something that just seems insane and wonder why that happened? Could it be that those in the back couldn’t see the danger approach while those in the front couldn’t stop because of the pressing crowd behind? We need our Good Shepherd to lead us away from the dangers and toward safety and peace.

Sheep can’t get up without help. I’m not very nice because I thought this was hysterical. If a sheep lies down and then accidentally rolls to its back, it is completely helpless. It cannot get up by itself and will die unless someone comes along and rolls it back over. “Roll it over, it’s dying.” I picture a dead bug with its legs up in the air and stuck. Poor sheep. They will struggle and twist and turn in an effort to get up — all for naught — they just can’t do it by themselves. And they actually can end up killing themselves because they can twist their guts up. Even if they don’t end up doing that, they cannot release gas while on their backs, and this will also lead to death if they are not assisted by their shepherd.  

How often do we get ourselves into trouble — with just a slight roll from the “right” position only to end up twisting ourselves up in the struggle to get out by ourselves? Again, we fight and wrestle to free ourselves from our current circumstances caught up in the shame of it all or just downright determined to be our own savior. Well, here’s the good news, we were never meant to be our own savior, that’s why Jesus came. He is our Savior, our Deliverer, our peace and our freedom. In Him, we can give up the fight and rest — but that means we must turn to Him for help. We must be willing to surrender control, which in fact is a myth anyway.  

Sheep will settle for less: While traveling to fresh water, sheep will stop short at a filthy mud puddle to drink. All they have to do is keep going to get to the fresh running, life-giving water. They are content with the filth as long as it satisfies in the moment.  And this muddy water makes them stink, and they won’t even know it. They lack good judgment and discernment.  

Again, sound familiar. We, as people, will often stop short at the mud puddle (sin), when goodness and peace are just a few short steps away. We settle for the momentary satisfaction of the filth instead of moving forward to something so much better. We may even think we are satisfied and fulfilled even though we are poisoned and stink.

I relate to those three aspects so personally. I have found myself following the crowd in the past not knowing (or wanting to know) the dangers that lie ahead. I have kept my head down and pushed forward — without even realizing that I may be pushing others over a cliff. Had I simply raised my head and listened for my Savior’s voice and followed His direction, I could have avoided so much pain.  

Likewise, when I’ve fallen, I twisted and turned in my own circumstances trying to free myself from something that I have no ability to break free from without the help of my Master. Ever try to “get over” being depressed, convinced you just need to be stronger? Ever try to break an addiction in your own strength only to find yourself right back in the cycle of shame?  

See, God created us in His image with characteristics and attributes to live rightly, but not without His help. We must fully rely on and surrender to His leading. And He will joyfully supply us with what we need. Psalm 23:1-3 says, “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.”

And finally, I have definitely settled for less. Thinking that what I have on my heart and in my desires would be so much better than what He has planned for me. What on earth was I thinking? If the Creator of heaven and earth, who can speak life into existence with His mere breath thinks that something is good for me, I should jump on it immediately. He knows my beginning and my end. He knows my coming and my going. He definitely knows what will benefit me and what won’t. I can trust Him with my life, with my everything. “Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; He will never permit the righteous to be moved.” (Psalm 55:22)  

So yeah, I’m a sheep. How about you? Do you see yourself in any of these descriptions? Have you settled for less, ignored the Master’s direction, or tried to right yourself in your own power and strength? What is God calling you to do in this moment? What does He want you to surrender to His goodness? Where can you trust Him to lead you to a better path?

Father God, thank You for being our Good Shepherd. Without You we are lost. We have no direction or discernment. Our judgment, like a sheep, is short-sighted and lacking goodness. Father show us where we need to listen to You, follow You, and trust You. In the powerful name of Jesus, AMEN!