Psalm
100:3 Know
that (E)the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his
people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Psalm
23:2a He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
Frequently, the Bible uses farming settings and actions
to present spiritual truths clearly and powerfully. Stories and analogies using
sheep (Isaiah 53:6; John 10:1-16, Luke 15:4-7, Ezekiel 34), vineyards (John
15:1-5, Jeremiah 12:10, Matthew 20:1), see (Mark 4:3-34, Luke 8:11, Isaiah
55:10-12) and the harvest (Matthew 9:38, John 4:35, Galatians 6:7) were
intended to connect the recipients’ agricultural understanding with the
spiritual realities of God’s Kingdom. As hearers and readers pondered these
parables, prophetic pictures and spiritual analogies, they could evaluate their
spiritual condition in relationship to the truth of the story.
Regularly God uses a pasture setting in his Word to
remind his people that we’re a part of his family. We belong to him and he
belongs to us. As our shepherd, he offers us a rich feat of spiritual food and
water because of our relationship to him. Jesus said that those who enter
through him would find the pastureland of the Father (John 10:9). In this
special relationship, there’s protection, security, nourishment and shelter.
There’s incredible food and safety waiting for us in the
Father’s kingdom. In the shadow of his care, we have the opportunity to feast
while he lovingly guards us. Bring him your hurts, scars and pains. Let him
soothe the wounds of your past with the balm of his tenderness. Let him lead
you to his quiet brooks where you can rest from life’s relentless pressure. The
Lord Jesus is standing at the gate of God’s pasture calling you to come home.
His sheep hear his voice (John 10:27). Why are you waiting? Run to Him.
Written by H. Curtis McDaniel