CYPRESSWOOD CHURCH OF CHRIST

July 11, 2004

CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR:

Our congregation                                                   Various friends, relatives and co-workers

Our nation, leaders and military                             David and Leon in the Navy

The Stolte’s in Germany                                        Yevette’s parents

COMING UP:                                                         WEDNESDAY NIGHT SINGINGS:

July 12^th - SYS at Spring Woodlands                       On Wednesday nights for several weeks we will

July 19^th - SYS at Bammel                                       practice some new songs, and maybe sing an

July 26^th - SYS at First Colony                                old one or two as well.  Come join us!

I AM A SHEEP

“The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want” (Psalm 23:1).

The scriptures use the word “sheep” to describe God’s people.  Being equated with a sheep might be considered an insult considering the way they act, but honesty admits that we are really very much like them.  They get in ruts, follow the leader no matter where he goes, falls over and needs help getting up, are stubborn, and are vulnerable to dangers.  That is why we need a Shepherd and we have one in our God and Father in heaven.  One song has something to say about this.  I Am A Sheep is found in Praise Hymns, number 148.

“I am a sheep and the Lord is my Shepherd  Watching over my soul.”  That is what David is getting at in Psalm 23.  The Shepherd guides, protects and provides as well as disciplines the sheep for their benefit.  God has not left us alone to fend for ourselves.  We have His word, His people the church, His Spirit, and His creation, all of which fulfills the purpose of watching over our souls. 

“My soul to keep guarding over me ever Watching were ever I go.”  Two things here.  One, it is comforting to know that God is with me.  He is not “out there” somewhere oblivious of what is happening in my life.  He is involved in His way.  I don’t know or understand how all that works; I’m just thankful that He does.  I’ll let Him handle the details.  Often when an individual in scripture was struggling, they recalled what God did in the past for His people and applied it to themselves.  That is what we should do as well.  Second, He is watching; He knows what we are doing.  We cannot hide from Him though we often try to hide from ourselves (Psalm 139).  Let’s not fool ourselves into thinking that we can do something without God knowing.  Our lives and our worship should match.

“We are His children and He is or Father  Watching over our soul.  Great is His love for His sons and His daughters  Watching were ever we go.”  Once again relationship is involved.  We sometimes do not act or realize that we are in this together.  God wanted a relationship with us, Father and children, but He also wants us to be relational to one another (Ephesians 2:11-22).  As I have said before, the church isn’t an institution but a family, working and struggling together in this world.  This is God’s intended purpose.

I really like the chorus.  “And when the winds blow He is my shelter.”  A number of scriptures speak of God being our fortress, the idea being that of protection.  When a tornado threatens, people are told to seek shelter in such places as storm cellars.  God is our storm cellar.  The winds represent the difficulties of life along with its dangers.  God is there to “shelter” us from such storms if we trust Him.  “And when I’m lost and alone He rescues me.”  Don’t you just like that?!  The Shepherd carries two tools; a rod to protect and a staff to rescue.  A sheep falls into a ditch will not get out without help.  The Shepherd takes His staff, hooks him, and pulls him out.  Being trapped in a ditch is a lonely and frightening event.  But God is there to rescue us if only we would look, would open our eyes and see.  The city was surround and Elisha’s servant was frightened.  “What are we going to do?”  Elisha prayed that the servant’s eyes would be opened and he saw the armies of God on the mountains.  Open our eyes!  “And when the Lion comes He is my victory!”  Jesus is often seen as the Lamb of God, appropriately so.  When Jacob was blessing Judah, he described him and the One to come as a lion.  He is our Lion.  We do not need to be walking Him down the street saying “This is my Lion.  Leave Him alone or I’ll hurt you.”  Rather He is our victory.  He delivers us. 

Once again the chorus reminds us that He is “Constantly watching over me, He is constantly watching over me.”  This is our Shepherd, caring, protecting, and in being describe as a Lion, victorious.  So sheep, we are not alone.  Our Shepherd is leading us, knows us, and will seek one who has left the fold to bring him or her safely back.  I am thankful that “I am a sheep.”

                                                                                                       George B. Mearns