by Kelli Miller 2015

Isaiah 40:11 (NIV)

¹¹ He tends his flock like a shepherd:
    He gathers the lambs in his arms
and carries them close to his heart;
    he gently leads those that have young.

If we don’t understand what a “shepherd” really  is and does, so much significance of this verse is lost.

Over the years I have spent learning to become a shepherd of my own sheep, I have been very surprised to learn what a multi-faceted, 24/7 job it is.  It has brought me such a sense of joy & rest to learn that God as my “shepherd”, means so much more than “God is my Leader”; even more than “God is my provider and protector”!

Here are a few of the implications I think of now when I read the first line of this verse, “He tends his flock like a shepherd:“

1. God is vigilent, 24/7/ 365 days a year.
   • He is always on the look out to protect His flock from what may hurt us, even before the sheep may even realize  a threat is on the way.
   • He will go out in the cold rain at 2:00 am to make sure His flock is okay, provided for.  He works in cold weather when any sensible person would be in the house by the fire.  He works loyally and faithfully in all circumstances, not just when He feels like it, or it is fun, or convenient.  As a Shepherd, setting His own comfort aside, because His dedication to tend His sheep is of higher priority to Him, is His chosen way of life.
   • He is always mindful of the need for my spiritual and physical provision.  He plans ahead, in advance of my need, going to great lengths to ensure the resources to supply my needs will be on hand in advance of my awareness of my need!  He “stocks up on supplies” for His flock.
   • If the “pasture” His flock has to draw from to meet their  needs,  isn’t healthy enough  to provide enough spiritual “nutrition”, our Shepherd works to change the pH of the pasture, to give His flock a better environment.
2. The Shepherd moves thru the flock, going about His work, exuding  a gentle, quiet presence, that lacks demanding, false-pride.  He approaches the flock with the attitude of a capable servant, there to care for, protect and provide; not with an attitude of tyrannical demand.
   • The Shepherd speaks softly, careful to not alarm the sheep.  He moves among them slowly, gently, so as to not startle them  Frightened sheep run away from shepherds, making them impossible to help.
   • The sheep in the Shepherd’s presence feel His strength.  They know He is in control, and when they feel His hands on them, though they may struggle in alarm at first, once they get a taste of His strength, His confidence, His calm determination, they often readily relax, and give themselves over to His expertise.  He knows just how to hold them, to get them to relax.  The Shepherd truly is “power under control”, and His sheep feel that.  Once they experience that He is not frightening them, His strength inspires comfort, confident, and relaxation instead of fear and nervous anxiety.
   • The Shepherd takes care of the intimate needs of the flock with loving humility, preventing and/or treating illnesses that may make them sick, slow, vulnerable to predators.  But the lowly tasks don’t mean He is a lowly person of no account.  He does not feel demoralized my the menial, at times uncomfortable & inconvenient nature of the work of shepherding; and the lowly work in no way reduced His glory!   He goes about these lowly, at times even gross tasks, with dedication and an attitude of servant-hood, even though He is so much greater than His flock!  In spite of His power, His glory, His greatness, His compassion is greater than His pride.  No need is so offensive it is off-putting to His desire to heal, provide, protect and care for us.  He is willing to work up a sweat.  He is willing to get in the middle of the poop.  He is willing to work hard and never quit early until all the work is done.
3. He is tending HIS flock, not someone else’s.  He is Not tending wild sheep He has to chase down, that won’t follow His because they are scattered to the four winds, that don’t know Him, don’t want to follow Him, or that belong to someone else’s flock.
4. He does not only “feed” his flock;  The word “tend” tells me He encompasses all their needs, including food; but also protection; shelter; care for the weak & the injured; He meets the needs of all ages; at all stages of life, from birth thru dying.  He stands between His flock and the dangers of the world.He stands between His flock and their want (going without). He assumes responsibility for all of their needs.  He is equipped with skill and resources to provide for them.

This is the kind of Shepherd Jesus is.  This is how Jesus tends His flock.  How glad I am to be a lamb!!