LESSONS FROM A PASTURE
For he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, and the flock under his care. Psalm 95:7 (NIV)
A pasture is a protected piece of land intended to keep farm or ranch animals in. It is usually fenced, monitored by the farmer of rancher, a place of safety for the animals – be they sheep, horses, cows, goats, llamas, and the like.
A farmer will check on his herd routinely for injuries, unwanted visitors, water supply and food sources. A rancher knows the condition of his herd.
Seeing how we are the people of God’s pasture, we can be guaranteed He knows the condition of His pasture and His people.
He tends His pasture – He leads us to peaceful streams for refreshment (Psalm 23:2), He provides daily bread (Matthew 6:11), and looks out for dangers (Psalm 91:3). He knows where we are and what we are doing. At all times.
I love how the psalmist David writes not only poetically, but truthfully using possessive pronouns in this psalm – our God, His people, His care. It’s what makes this psalm come alive and sing.
David draws from his vast experience with animals, and in particular, sheep.
You’ve probably heard that sheep are stupid, but I would like to propose another adjective instead – stubborn. Sheep know exactly what they want, when they want it and are willing to die trying to get it. Oh yes, they are easily distracted by something else going on in the pasture, but they will not come if they don’t want to, are curious to a fault so will not leave their spot of interest until they are satisfied; food usually will motivate, but not always.
How do I know this about sheep? Well, I am one and we have 3 in our own pasture. I like to keep sheep because they are a good and constant reminder of myself. Our girls can be very endearing, but they can also cause us (the shepherds) lots of frustration.
Because it is the beginnings of Spring, our pasture now has grass – the rains have stopped, for the most part, the dirt is gone, and fresh green grass is available on-demand for these girls. They had looked with longing at this particular part of the pasture which had been closed off to them – now the gate was flung open and they were allowed in. The forbidden fruit, so to speak.
At first, they ate their way through the day, feasting on the delectable fresh greens. They were content. Until.
Until it came time for their nightly feeding. They wanted the dry teff, which is mostly sticks and with little leaves which are much fought over. They wanted old and stale rather than fresh and new.
Their shepherd provided a safe, fenced in piece of land covered in luscious greens, and yet, they wanted to go back to Egypt, like the Israelites, and much like us.
In reading more of Psalm 95, you will notice David points out the stubbornness of the Israelites when they wandered in the desert. The incidence he refers to in Psalm 95:8-10 is found in Exodus 17:1-7. And their hard hearts caused God to be angry with them for 40 years! That was the length of time they wandered in the desert, a trip which normally takes 11 days.
That does not mean God did not stop caring for them. They (and we) are the people of His pasture and the flock under His care. Our stubborn hearts can and usually do get us into trouble. But, as David wrote, their hard hearts had consequences. Dire consequences. God was angry with them (verse 10) which in turn caused Him to declare an oath:
“They will never enter my place of rest.” Psalm 95:11
The greatest need for a sheep is rest – it’s when they are content, fed, at ease and not fearful. It’s when they chew their cud – much like we do. We remember, we reminisce, we think over our day. If we are at peace, then the cud-chewing is delightful. If we are anxious, our ruminating is not helpful, it only causes us to be more fretful and forgetful of God’s compassionate care.
Rest, in Scripture, is salvation in Jesus. All throughout Scripture, Jesus is the focal point of our need – we need Him because He is our sole resting place. Our sole satisfaction and in Him all our needs are met.
Are you thankful for the fencing around you? Do you look with longing at a pasture you are not currently in? Do you grumble and complain about the beautiful abundant grass right in front of you in because you want the familiar dry teff? Do you turn a deaf ear to the Saviour’s voice because you want to just go over there, one more step?
Are you willing to recognize your likeness to sheep, yet at the same time, recognize God calls you by name, He knows your voice, and you should recognize His? If you are having trouble hearing Him, stop. Listen. Wait for Him and move only when He tells you to.
Oh Father God, the Great Shepherd. What a lesson to be learned in Psalm 95 today. Thank You for being my God, our God. Thank You that You call me Your own – and the reminder that I am a sheep. One who is cared for, provided for and loved. Please forgive my wanderings, my stubborn and even hard heart. I repent of my selfishness and look to You my awesome Shepherd. In the name of Jesus, AMEN.
