The Good Shepherd Never Forsakes The Bummer Lambs

Healing, Hope, Overcoming, Restoration, The Good Shepherd

The Good Shepherd Never Forsakes the Bummer Lambs

Scriptures have a lot to say about sheep. I love all the Bible references referring to the sheep and the shepherd. The Good Shepherd will never forsake His flock of believers. The only color God assigns His sheep is crimson red. “Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the Lord, “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.” Isaiah 1:18 (NKJV)

White Sheep – How many images have we seen where cute, cuddly, woolly creatures joyfully follow the shepherd? While this may bring a smile to your face, I know the reality is that sheep are stubborn and intent on their own way. Does this sound like anyone you know?

Too often, we leap and follow our own plan, or we follow others. The white sheep must depend on the Shepherd to hear His voice and be led by His Spirit.

Black Sheep – We’ve heard the expression, the black sheep of the family. What a miserable label to have pinned on yourself. Have you shamed or embarrassed the family because you have strayed from their standards? Perhaps, your heart is rebellious, and you have disappointed the ones you love, including yourself.

The black sheep must depend on the Shepherd to live the abundant life the Savior has bought for them. Every one of us, at one time or another, has been lost. The Shepherd searches for his lost sheep and extends his arms wide open in welcoming him home with unconditional love. “I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.” Luke 15:7 (NKJV)

Bummer Lambs – Occasionally, ewes will give birth to a lamb and then reject it. An orphan lamb cannot be raised by its mother and needs to be fed on a milk replacer. At times the ewe may reject the lamb simply because it cannot produce enough milk. Other times the mother refuses to care for her young. These rejected and abandoned lambs can be seen hanging their heads low – their spirit is broken.

The orphan lambs must depend on the shepherd to live. He nurtures the lambs just like a mother ewe. Without Him, the lambs would die. When the lamb is strong enough, the shepherd returns it to the flock. As a result, when the shepherd calls to the flock, the bummer lambs run to him first. They have received the blessing of having been personally cared for by the shepherd. “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” John 10:27 (NKJV)

You may be broken and rejected today. You may feel like a bummer lamb. Rejoice! The Good Shepherd will hold you in His arms and hold you close. Listen to His heartbeat and rest there until you are healed and become whole again.

Brokenness is a gift from the Good Shepherd. Those of us who know we are broken and loved by God eagerly run to Him for His grace, His mercy, and His goodness. What a blessing!

You may be broken and rejected today. You may feel like a bummer lamb, but there is good news for you. The Good Shepherd will gather you in His arms and hold you close so you can hear his heartbeat. And you can rest there until you are healed and whole again.

Thank you, Lord, for your loving care towards us. I can never forget how your love restored me from brokenness to wholeness.

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Thanks for sharing!