"He rears his horse to a stop on the rim of the canyon. He shifts his weight in his saddle, weary from the cattle trail. One finger pushes his hat up on his head. One jerk of the kerchief reveals a sun-leathered face.

A thousand head of cattle pass behind. A thousand miles of trail lie before him. A thousand women would love to hold him. But none do. None will. He lives to drive cattle, and he drive cattle to live. He is honest in poker and quick with a gun. Hard riding. Slow talking. His best friend is his horse, and his strength is his grit.

He needs no one. He is a cowboy. The American hero.

Behold a hero in the Bible: the shepherd.

On the surface he appears similar to the cowboy. He, too, is rugged. He sleeps where the jackals howl and works where the wolves prowl. Never off duty. Always alert. Like the cowboy, he makes his roof the stars and the pasture his homeland.

But that is where the similarities end.

The shepherd loves his sheep. It's not that the cowboy doesn't appreciate the cow; it's just that he doesn't know the animal. He doesn't even want to.

Have you ever seen a picture of a cowboy caressing a cow? Have you ever seen a shepherd caring for a sheep? Why the difference?

Simple. The cowboy leads the cow to slaughter. The shepherd leads the sheep to be shorn. The cowboy wants the meat of the cow. The shepherd wants the wool of the sheep. And so they treat the animals differently.

The cowboy drives the cattle. The shepherd leads the sheep. A herd has a dozen cowboys. A flock has one shepherd. The cowboy wrestles, brands, herds, and ropes. The shepherd leads, guides, feeds, and anoints.

The cowboy whoops and hollers at the cows. The shepherd calls each sheep by name.

Aren't we glad Christ didn't call himself the Good Cowboy?" (1)


(1)Taken From Max Lucado (A Gentle Thunder) found in GraceMail

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Illustration

In Southern Palestine, there are many caves, and several flocks of sheep might be herded into one of them to escape a storm, or to weather overnight. But in the morning, the shepherd doesn't have to look for brands or markings, he just steps away from the cave, moves away from the other shepherds, and calls to his flock. And they come right to him, because they know his voice.

Dr. Marion Henderson

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In his beautiful book, "I Shall Not Want," Robert Ketchum tells of a Sunday School teacher who asked her group of children if anyone could quote the entire 23rd Psalm.

A golden-haired, four-and-a-half-year-old girl was among those who raised their hands. A bit skeptical, the teacher asked if she could really quote the entire psalm.

The little girl came to the front of the room, faced the class, made a perky little bow, and said, "The Lord is my shepherd, that's all I want."

She bowed again and went and sat down.

That may well be the greatest interpretation of the 23rd Psalm ever heard.

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 "Are you anxious in the midst of life's problems
      As you wake up each new day?
      Do you worry about the past or future,
      Or ponder problems that might come your way?

      There is no reason to fear or falter
      We have One who knows and understands,
      He is there even in the midnight hour,
      Jesus will calm the storm, He will hold your hand.

      Jesus still speaks peace to the troubled waters
      They will not overtake your soul,
      The Good Shepherd cares for His sheep,
      Our Lord  will lead and guide you, in the safety of His fold.

      Jesus speaks peace with the greatest love ever told,
      He will be there every moment of the day,
      Worry not about the past or tomorrow, our Lord is in control,
      The Savior walks with us and hears us as we pray.

      Rest in God and let Him fight your battles
      He knows all things from the beginning to the end,
      Great peace He will bestow, as onward you go,
      Look up to the Savior, He is your dearest Friend. "(3)

(3)  Jo Ann Kelly    2005, 2004
      J. P.'s Inspirations
      This writing may be used in its entirety, with credits intact,
      for nonprofit ministering purposes.