[Unboxing Psalm 23] the House of the LordSample

We Are The Sheep

In ancient literature, sheep were referred to as “those of the golden hooves” because they were regarded and esteemed so highly for their beneficial effect on the land. They would eat the top parts of the plants and leave the roots, which caused the plants to grow; they would eat invasive plants that were not good for the land; they would trample the ground; and then they would fertilize the soil, leaving behind beautiful new pasture land.

All through the Scriptures, human beings are portrayed as sheep and the Lord as our Shepherd. Can you be considered a sheep of golden hooves? Have you ever wondered what you are leaving behind as you live your life on earth?

W. Phillip Keller asked this: “Do I leave behind peace in lives—or turmoil? Do I leave behind forgiveness—or bitterness? Do I leave behind contentment—or conflict? Do I leave behind flowers of joy—or frustration? Do I leave behind love—or rancor?”

Are you bringing good news to people, proclaiming peace and salvation? What do people feel or say after you leave the room? As God is transforming you, is this transformed life leaving a beautiful pasture for those coming behind you? Are goodness and loyal love coming out of you?

Our Shepherd will never stop pursuing us. He will keep on pursuing us vigorously with His goodness and loyal love every single moment of every single day of the rest of our lives. We are known by the God of the universe. We are never out of His sight or out of His hand. We are in His care forever. We can experience and be assured of this care by recognizing that our Shepherd is our Lord who laid down His own life for us.

How does the Lord’s relentless pursuit make me feel? Do I feel unworthy of it or loved because of it? Do I pursue others with the goodness and loyal love of God?

Consider what you are leaving behind in the lives of those around you. Is your transformed life transforming the lives of others for good?