When David, who was a warrior, minstrel, and ambassador for God, searched for an illustration, he remembered his days as a shepherd. He remembered how he lavished attention on the sheep day and night. How he slept with them and watched over them. And the way he cared for the sheep reminded him of the way God cares for us. David rejoiced to say, “The Lord is my shepherd,” and in doing so he proudly implied, “I am his sheep.”

Of all God’s animals, the sheep is the least able to take care of himself.  And yet, we so often hang on to our chest of self-reliance. Why is it that the ones who most need a shepherd resist him so? Scripture says, “Do it God’s way.” Experience says, “Do it God’s way.” And, every so often—we do!

From Traveling Light