The Sheep

When God was about to make David king, he sent Samuel the prophet to do it by anointing him,or putting oil upon his head. David had six brothers, and Samuel did not know which of all thesons was to be king; but both he and their father Jesse supposed it would be one of the olderones, and nobody remembered even to call little David, who had been left with the sheep, untilthey found that he was the one whom God had chosen. David often spoke of his shepherd-lifeafter he became a king, and even when he was an old man. You remember that most beautifulpsalm of his, the twenty-third, "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want: he maketh me to liedown in green pastures; he leadeth me beside the still waters." That is the way they areaccustomed to do in those countries: the shepherd walks on, and the sheep follow where hewishes them to go. So Christ says, "And when he (the shepherd) putteth forth his own sheep, hegoeth before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice."

The sheep in many countries are in danger from wolves, which prowl about and try to carry themoff; so it is necessary to watch them by night as well as by day. You remember the shepherdswere watching their flocks by night when the bright angels appeared to tell the glad tidings thatA SAVIOR had come; and they were the first to hear that sweet song in the stillness of the night,when all around were hushed in sleep.

The sheep is so timid and gentle that it needs the protection of man, and without the care of theshepherd would often stray away and be lost, or devoured by other animals. David says, "I havegone astray like a lost sheep;" and in Isaiah we read, "All we like sheep have gone astray." Is notthis true of us-that we have gone away, far away, from Jesus our good shepherd? Perhaps, dearchild, you are wandering still; but why should you thus go on, alone, and every hour in danger? Why should you, when he calls you back with his voice of kindness, and is ready to "gather youwith his arms, and carry you in his bosom." as the shepherd does his tender lambs?

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