I would like to invite you into my expose on our fine furry friend, the sheep.
Sheep have no natural defense mechanisms. They can run, but all their predators are faster than them. Their only real line of defense is screaming for the shepherd whose sole interest is their well being. So, if people with our shepherd staffs, and fancy opposable thumbs are the sheep’s only true line of defense, why are we likened to these woolly critters all throughout scripture?
We can defend ourselves right? In the eloquence of God’s design, we have been given the ability to create guns, swords, slingshots, ninja stars, and things like that. We can procure bullet proof vests, body armor, and helmets, so we can defend ourselves. Praise the Lord. So once again I will ask, why are we likened to these fluffy, defenseless, pea brained, vomit chewing animals?
Ephesians 6 informs us of our dilemma
“our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens. This is why you must take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand.”
According to this passage, we are just as defenseless as the poor sheep. Our only line of defense is not the AR-15 we just ordered offline, it’s the spiritual armor we gird ourselves with. Even then, the Word of God is the only offensive weapon we have. Just like the sheep, we don’t have any built in spiritual weapons or defense. So when it comes to the true battle we are fighting against evil, we must rely wholly on the Word, our Good Shepherd.
We see an example of this in Joshua 24:12. The Canaanites were more powerful, and out numbered the Israelites. The Bible is very clear about that. Even in these seemingly physical battles, the Lord was working on a spiritual level. Adonai sent fear into the land of Canaan through the mighty works he performed through Moses so, even 40 years later, when they finally reached Jericho, the first city in the promised land, their inhabitants were mortified because they heard stories of the Lord having His powerful hand on the nation of Israel. In many battles God sent confusion into the heathen camps so Joshua and the Israelites could prove victorious. These battles were completely dominated before anyone even stepped foot on the battle field.
On the other hand, only a few chapters later, in Judges 2:15 the next generation forgot the Lord and served Baal and Asheroth. The Lord fought against them in the spiritual realm, causing their defeat in the natural.
One more crazy awesome example in 2 Samuel.
“The Philistines came up again and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim. So David inquired of the Lord, and He answered, “Do not make a frontal assault. Circle around behind them and attack them opposite the balsam trees. When you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, act decisively, for then the Lord will have marched out ahead of you to attack the camp of the Philistines.” So David did exactly as the Lord commanded him, and he struck down the Philistines…”
I think it is notable that David’s first response to the Philistines returning to the valley was to ask God what to do. David’s request activated God’s heart to send out Heaven’s armies to pave the way for his troops. This is a prime example of the spiritual realm governing the natural. How crazy awesome is that?
So if the war we fight is not in the physical realm, how do we engage in this spiritual battle?
Just as the sheep calls for the shepherd when he is in need, we have to call for our Good Shepherd. Prayer is our only line of defense in this battle because it is the only way to interact with the spiritual realm. Just as God spoke the world into existence (spirit interacting with physical), we have to speak in order to make our request known to Him (physical interacting with spirit).
Paul implores the church in Philippi, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.”
Are you exhausted from trying so hard? I firmly believe we can learn something from these fluffy little guys. If a sheep falls into a hole he immediately starts screaming for the shepherd. He may struggle for freedom from his predicament however, you better believe he will be screaming for daddy the entire time.
So, as you go through your day and challenges arise, do you struggle to find your own way out? Do you tell your friends your issues first? Or do you tell God first? Sympathy from a friend supplies instant gratification however, God is the source of all wisdom and gives it freely if we just ask (James 1:5). That’s a pretty sweet deal if you ask me.
Sheep may be dumb but one thing they do know is who can get them out of a bind. Jesus said, “my sheep hear my voice.” Just as we learn to cry out to God when we are in need, we must also learn how to listen when He responds to us.
Like David, do we ask God for direction and wisdom when times go awry? Or do we rely on our own strength and the advise of our knucklehead friends? Even if God is our first response to our situation, do we listen even if we don’t like His answer?
This has been a huge lesson these past six months, asking for God’s infinite wisdom instead of people’s. However, learning to listen and obey even when I don’t like the answer has probably been the hardest, yet the most rewarding lesson. Are you ready to learn this with me?
It’s the last week of South Africa at Charis Bible College, then we will be on our way to Swaziland! Thank you for learning with me these past six months, and your feedback in comments. Thank you for your prayer and financial support. Due to your generosity, I am only $2,240 away from my final financial goal of almost $17,000. I need your help! Will you consider a one time donation of $20, $50, or $100? Maybe a recurring donation of $25 for the next 5 months? It does’t just effect me, but effects the lives of countless people we will be ministering to. Thank you for being a part of my discipleship journey!
