Case Dismissed

When a man in Australia was arrested for stealing a sheep, he claimed the animal belonged to him. When the case went to trial, the judge was puzzled, not knowing how to decide the matter.

At last he asked that the sheep be brought into the courtroom. He then ordered the plaintiff to step outside and call the animal. The sheep made no response except to raise its head and look frightened. The judge then instructed the defendant to go to the courtyard and call the sheep.

When the accused man began to make his distinctive call, the sheep bounded toward the door. It was obvious that he recognized the familiar voice of his master. "His sheep knows him," said the judge. "Case dismissed!"

Jesus, the good shepherd, knows you by name. He tells us that when the wolves approach "the hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep."

How does that make you feel? Remember this in tough times - times of loneliness and lost direction. At times all of us will feel the peering eyes of the wolf upon us. At all times the protective eyes of the Lord will keep watch over us. Maybe those eyes are disguised as a friend, a parent, a spouse, a child.

Don't give the wolf too much power - stare back at the Lord, ask to hear his voice - and let him lead you to greener pastures.