April 19 – Who is Sneaking Over the Wall?

"I tell you the truth, anyone who sneaks over the wall of a sheepfold, rather than going through the gate, must surely be a thief and a robber! But the one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice. They won't follow a stranger; they will run from him because they don't know his voice." John 10:1-5 NLT

"Don't talk to strangers." Isn't that what we always tell our children...and grandchildren? They know that a particular person is a stranger because they don't recognize their face or their voice. Maybe it is the sneaky way they move. Watch out so they don't sneak over your fence. 

I live in a town that borders an agricultural area--but it is mostly vineyards, orchards, and irrigated row crops--potatoes, corn, wheat and alphalfa. No sheep. Most people around my hometown in eastern Washington state don't understand the customs associated with herding and tending sheep. Sheep aren't very smart animals--if they fall over--they can't get up. The shepherd has to help them. That sounds like some people, too. We need our family or friends to give us a hand...or to call the rescue squad to help us. Spiritually we need God to lift us up from that valley of the shadow of death--to preserve and strengthen us. 

RSVP: Jesus is reaching out to us with His shepherd's staff--to rescue us. How will you respond today to His offer for help? 

Prayer~Jesus I put my trust in You. 

© 2014 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.