Guarded Sheep

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. — Psalm 23:5 One of my favorite sights is to see pets and other animals playing in the spring when plants and trees are blossoming and green again. I imagine this is also the case for sheep after a long hike from a well-grazed pasture to a fresh one with lots of lush, green grass. I have read that before the sheep can frolic in a new space, their shepherds must check through the pasture in case there might be holes that could cause a sheep to stumble and break a leg or where poisonous snakes might be hiding. Shepherds apparently spread a stinky oil near those holes so that the sheep stay away from them and snakes can’t make use of them. Are there any hidden dangers we might encounter as the Lord’s sheep today? Could there be “rabbit holes” we go down as we scroll through our phone and computer screens? And what about messages in advertising and social media that imply we are not enough or don’t have enough? What tools does the Lord our shepherd have for those situations? First, God provides us with his Word, which is also accessible on our phones today. The Bible reminds us who God is and that we belong to him alone. Second, there is the community of believers we can depend on to remind us of these things and to support us. In what ways have you engaged these resources lately? Thank you, Lord, for going ahead of us into the scary places and situations in our lives, keeping us safe and secure in your care. Amen.