When we think of the wonderful care of the Shepherd over His flock, It may be hard to imagine that any of His sheep would ever wander away from Him or get in trouble. But David, as he was writing the Psalms makes it clear that there were many times his soul was cast down. He suffered sin and failure in his life, times of loss and great discouragement and needed restoration!

For help on this I turn you to a few thoughts from an old shepherd, Phillip Keller, who talks about the phenomenon of a “cast sheep”. A cast sheep is one that wanders away, turns itself over on it’s back and cannot get up again on it’s own. It’s pathetic sight, lying on it’s feet, flailing in the air, frantically trying to stand up, without success. If the owner does not arrive on the scene within a fairly short time, the sheep will die, especially if it is a hot day.

Consequently the shepherd is constantly on the lookout, looking to see if one his sheep has wandered away. He is on the lookout to see if one of his sheep is cast somewhere. If one is missing, he will immediately begin searching for it. What happens to a “cast” sheep is that it rolls on it’s side slightly to stretch out or relax. Suddenly, the center of gravity in it’s body shifts so it turns on its back far enough that the feet no longer touch the ground. Now it is quite impossible for it to regain it’s feet.

As it lies there struggling, gases begin to build up in the rumen. As these expand they begin to retard and cut off blood circulation to the legs and can die in a few hours. When the shepherd finds a “cast” sheep, he may gently rebuke it but also tenderly turns it over and begins to massage it’s extremities. After while, the sheep begins to regain it’s balance and runs back to join the other sheep. Without this tender loving care, it’s helpless.

Do you see the beautiful picture? The Good Shepherd is always on the lookout with enormous compassion, anxiety and concern for cast men and women as a shepherd has for cast sheep! Jesus was on the lookout for cast sheep! Sheep such as Peter were restored. (John 21). Keller talks about some sheep in his flock that continuously wandered away and became “cast”. At times, it was necessary to break their legs so they didn’t come to a worse end. This also happens in God’s flock after long exercise of patience. ” (1Cor. 5)

But let me correct something. People have the idea that He becomes very disgusted with “cast” sheep, fed up, even angry with them. No! The Great heart of God loved us when we were still His enemies. The truth is simply this: Jesus is our very own Shepherd and never will forsake us even when, out of marvelous but measured love, He has to correct us. He never punishes us but He does correct us. Read Hebrews 12 because one mark of His ownership is that He disciplines His own flock not others.

But the great picture is of the Good Shepherd searching, coming to the rescue to restore one of His own. If we are honest, there are times we ALL find ourselves cast down, discouraged and need to be gently turned over by His gentle Hands and made to stand upon our feet again. Only then can we jump back up,run back to the flock and join with them in happy fellowship.

Aren’t you thrilled you have a Shepherd like Jesus, continually watching over you, guiding, leading you beside still waters and even restoring your soul when you are cast down? I just love bein’ part of His flock don’t you?

And when THIS Shepherd rescues one of His own, He places it on His shoulders, brings it back to the flock rejoicing…”Rejoice with Me, I have found MY sheep which was lost!” John 10

Terry