The Pasture
God uses many words to describe His relationship with us. We
are called His children [1], people [2], possession [3], treasure [4], bride [5]
and more. But one of the most common metaphors in both Old and New Testaments
is that we are His sheep [6] and when He calls us by that name, the Bible often
adds that we are kept within His pasture [7].
I don't know a lot about sheep, but I do know pastures. I
owned several when I lived on the ranch and as I think of being His sheep, the
idea of dwelling in His pasture strikes a deep chord.
A pasture is by definition a portion of ground with
boundaries where livestock are confided by fences or even sharp-toothed dogs
whose sole purpose is to make sure the animals stay where they are supposed to
be. My animals, like all others, liked to roam, but I ignored their fleeting
wants. They were stuck within the boundaries I designated whether they liked it
or not. I knew what was best and fences were not an option.
One of the curious things about livestock is they seem to
have a built-in need to know where the fences are. If I bought a new animal or
changed pastures with ones that had been under my care for years, the first
thing they did was walk the fence. I'd open the bars of the trailer and they
would stumble into the light blinking at the freedom of a new place. They might
pause briefly or perhaps take a few bites of grass, but it wouldn't be long
until they started off in a straight line and walked until they could go no
further.
Once they found the limit, they would push and examine and
taste until they knew exactly what kind of barrier held them. Then, they would
walk again, circumventing the entire pasture while pausing now and again to
test the fence. Was there a hole they could squeeze through? If they leaned
against it, did it stand? Did the barbed wire hurt too much if they pushed
against it?
Eventually, convince that the fence could not be breached,
they would settle down and become part of the heard. When that happened, they
were finally in a position to enjoy the bounty I had provided.
The idea of a pasture is one way I find comfort when life
throws a up barrier. I just think about being in the Lord's pasture. Not that
it is always comfortable and I don't occasionally long for grass on the other
side of the fence, but I know who owns the place where I live and spend my days.
This is not a haphazard chunk of extra ground. It doesn't belong to Satan. And,
it doesn't belong to the sheep. This pasture was allotted to me, personally. It
belongs to a Shepherd who is kind and holds my best interest close to His heart.
[1] Ps.82:6; John 21:5
[2] Exodus 6:7; Luke 1:68
[3] Ephesians 1:14
[4] Matthew 13:44
[5] Revelation 21:2
[6] Psalm 78:52; John 10:14
[7] Psalm 74:1; 79:13; 95:7; 100:3; Jeremiah 23:1; Ezekiel
34:31; John 10:9
