Forgotten Sheep, Faithful Shepherd

Last Friday, Tess and I walked through a valley of dry bones. Well, it wasn’t really a valley; it was a pasture. As for the dry bones, I wish I were making that part up.

Due to the Welsh Enduro Motorbike race taking place in our little village last weekend, I decided to avoid our usual trails (many of which were used as part of the race route) and explore a trail I had spotted on a few occasions but never tried. As is common with many Welsh trails, the initial path led to a sheep pasture.

Seeing the field empty and knowing how much Tess loves to run and frolic, I decided we would wander around for a while. She could run, sniff, and play off-lead, while I meandered at my own pace. At first, everything was going great. Yes, there was a lot of sheep poo, but that’s to be expected, and I kept a close eye on Tess to ensure she didn’t try to “snack” as she played.

Then, I noticed large tufts of wool, which are also not uncommon in a sheep pasture. But as I continued to stroll through the field, I began to notice bones…lots of bones. Leg bones, rib cages, and skulls. All very dry, picked clean, torn apart, and scattered across the field.

Evidently, some sheep had died, and instead of dealing with the remains properly (which I honestly don't know how to do), these sheep were just left to rot and decay. At first, I felt sick. I mean, seriously, I was walking through a graveyard. Then, I felt sad. What a tragic ending, to be forsaken and left for the birds and bugs to devour.

But then, my sadness turned to joy when I realized my Shepherd would never treat His sheep this way. Unlike those forgotten sheep, we are never abandoned by our Shepherd. Even in death, He watches over us. "Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints" (Psalm 116:15).

Moreover, our Good Shepherd knows each of us by name. Jesus said, "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand" (John 10:27-28).

Those bones in the field were the result of neglect. But our Lord does not neglect us, even when we feel forgotten. He carries us through the valleys. He rescues us from dangers. He binds our wounds and restores our souls.

Even when we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, we need fear no evil, for He is with us (Psalm 23:4).

So the next time you feel forgotten or forsaken, remember the difference between those abandoned sheep and the flock of the Good Shepherd. He promises, "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee" (Hebrews 13:5).

In this world of uncertainty and loss, what glorious comfort it is to know we belong to the Shepherd who searches for the one lost lamb, who lays down His life for the sheep, and who prepares a place for us in His Father's house.