THERE is a shepherd not far from us, who leads his master’s flock through a wood up to the downs beyond. One summer’s noon the shepherd brought the flock under the shade of the trees at the top of the wood, and then laid himself down to sleep, for he was weary. He had unloosed his jersey, for the heat was great.
So he slept; and while he slept a snake glided up out of the wood, and coiled itself up in the shepherd’s bosom.
When he awoke he found the reptile next his skin, and was horrified; but it made off, as startled as he, so no mischief was done.
But the story has a parable in it, hence we relate it, and the parable is to the shepherds of the flock of God.
Sleep not, even in noonday heat, but watch unwearied by the sheep you tend; for if you sleep, a serpent will coil itself up in your bosom. Not a harmless creature, not even a viper, but worse―aye, worse, for Satan himself gets near to the heart of a drowsy shepherd.
Lay the sheep and the lambs in your bosom, pray for them, bear them there before the Lord and Master, to whom you must give account for all He has charged to your care. Let this be ever your wakeful spirit. Love keeps weary eyes awake, love keeps tired limbs active. Blessed shall you be at His coming if He finds you so doing. Sleep not, O shepherd of the flock of God, in the midst of your charge, lest the old serpent coil itself up and lie in your bosom.
IT would be well if you sought a faller manifestation of Christ’s presence. All His are His for eternity, but too few of His have Him with them as a Friend daily in their lifetime.
“GOD is for us,” we have learned to say; how far is it practically true that “God is with us”?
IF you are walking in the peace of God, you will not mind the idle talking of people about you, save as far as you will be sorry for their occupation.