THERE had been a terrific snowstorm and the snow lay in great drifts many feet deep.
The farmers were very anxious about their sheep for there were hundreds of them unsheltered on the hills at the time. One farmer had no fewer than 300 missing and tether with his men and his faithful dog, Ruf, he started to search for them.
When they reached the field nothing could be seen but drifts of snow under which the poor sheep were buried. The men would not have been able to find the missing animals were it not for Ruf. He understood what needed to be done, and ruing quickly over the snow with his short sharp barks he dug with his paws little holes in various places.
The men went to work wherever Ruf made a hole and under each they found a sheep. They worked hard all night, Ruf showing where the sheep were buried and the men digging them out. As a result, most of the sheep were saved.
Good dog Ruf! He was a true shepherd dog. The farmer said that had it not been for Ruf he would have lost all his sheep that night.
The Lord Jesus is the true Shepherd. He came to seek and to save the lost sheep — lost in the darkness and sin of this world. But He had to die to save His sheep. He is “the good Shepherd who giveth His life for the sheep.”
Everyone is a lost sheep until the Shepherd finds him. Has He found you, dear reader? If you will cry to Him, you who are buried deep under your sin and shame, He will surely find you and lift you up on His shoulders and carry you home to heaven.
With tender hands He lifted me;
From shades of night to plains of light,
O praise His name, He lifted me.
ML-06/03/1973