Cast Away!

I was reading Psalm 55:22 the other day which says: “cast your burdens on the Lord and He will take care of you. He will not permit the Godly to slip and fall.”

This scripture reminded me about a story I had heard of cast sheep. A lady used to mind a friends farm each year at the beginning of spring and she had to keep an eye out specifically for cast sheep. You see the term cast sheep describes a situation where a sheep has become so heavy laden by their winter wool or when they are heavily pregnant, that they can easily slip and fall onto their backs. Once on their backs they are unable to get themselves up again and without the help of their shepherd/farmer to get back up on their feet, they can die within 24 hours. When the shepherd finds a cast sheep, they will quickly pick them up and sometimes hold onto their faces speaking gently to them, to help calm them and reset their equilibrium that has been off balance.

I began to think about this verse – (Psalm 55:22) in light of cast sheep, and I think it paints such a beautiful picture of our shepherd- Jesus, and I want to ask you today: what burdens have you become so heavy laden with? What do you need to cast on Him so you don’t slip and fall?

That word “cast” in the Hebrew, means to cast off violently, to get it off you! So cast your burdens on Him today- He is your good and kind shepherd and I see him holding your face, resetting your soul and spirit as He removes the burdens that you’ve been carrying.

So why does the bible use “sheep” and “the Good Shepard” as a metaphor for Christians and Jesus?

Well, every believer ultimately comes to understand that we are weak by our own strength and in need of a saviour. Our own strength is not sufficient to save us- in fact, without a Shepard we would get lost, be prey to the enemy, or die from falling by our heavy burdens and not being able to get up.

Some animals are able to care for themselves when wounded, but sheep cannot. Scripture says “He heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds.” Psalm 147:3

Sheep will flee from a strange voice they don’t know, but they recognise their Shepards voice and follow him. Jesus says: “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” John 10:27.

Without a Shepard, sheep are defenceless and have no sense of direction and can get lost, but Isaiah 40:11 says, “He will tend His flock like a Shepard; He will gather the lambs in his arms; He will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.”

Psalm 55:22 says: “Cast your burdens on the Lord, and He will sustain you.”
“Cast your burdens” means to fully entrust it to God, rather than trying to carry it yourself. Regardless of the situation, God is more capable than any human being ever could be. When we as believers release our worries and fears into the care of the Lord: God takes on that weight! Once we cast our burdens on Him, we can be sure to experience the peace that passes all understanding.

Sheep rely and trust in their Shepard, just as we as follower’s of Christ rely and trust in Him for everlasting life.
So let us lay our burdens down before Him and allow our loving Heavenly Father to carry that weight for us, and leave us with the peace that only He can give, so that we might continue to walk lightly with Him.

Love Beccy