The Good Shepherd
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4
My parents raised sheep on our farm. The pasture was right next to a wooded area, in which a lynx (small mountain lion) spent several months before my dad was able to kill it. The lynx learned quickly not to jump the fence into the pasture because my dad would hear the commotion and chase it off with a blast from a shotgun.
The sheep were foolish, however. Despite being well fed, the grass looked much greener on the other side of the pasture fence, and one would occasionally find its way out of the pasture only to be quickly killed and dragged away by the lynx. When this happened, I thought of St. Peter’s warning to Christians: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith” (1 Peter 5:8-9). Just like the lynx wandered the fence line waiting for a lamb to escape its security, Satan is waiting outside of the secure “pasture” of God’s Word to drag people away who are tempted to turn away from God’s Word by the “greener grass” of this world. Satan and the temptations of this world are dangerous–their goal is to destroy our faith and eternal salvation.
However, when we remain in the “pasture” of God’s Word–that is, continue reading and hearing it–we are safe, we are secure. With God’s Word, “Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”
Tho' devils all the world should fill,
All eager to devour us,
We tremble not, we fear no ill,
They cannot overpow'r us.
This world's prince may still
Scowl fierce as he will,
He can harm us none,
He's judged; the deed is done;
One little word can fell him.
The Lutheran Hymnal 262:3