23 Be diligent to know the state of your flocks,
And attend to your herds;–Proverbs 27:23

28 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.–Acts 20:28 

Today’s message is a little different than those previously posted. This is because I wish to share with you some wonderful personal news: after many years and many prayers, I have accepted a call to the pastoral ministry. As of this writing, my family and I have settled into our new home near the church and have officially begun this new life in Christ’s service.

My family, my friends, my home church in the South Carolina Lowcountry, and my good brothers here in the Fellowship of Ailbe have prayed and encouraged me faithfully for many years–and I know that they are rejoicing with us. What's more, we have already been embraced by our new church family, who are every bit as loving, godly, and welcoming as we could ever hope to meet. They, too, are overjoyed and are showering us with prayer and fellowship. God is truly GOOD. 

In the chaos of presbytery examinations, travel, sermon preparation, and several days of moving across the state to the South Carolina Upstate this week, I ran short on time to complete and publish our Proverbs study. However, as I spent time in study, I pondered what advice Solomon may have for a new pastor–or any shepherd of God’s people. 

The wise king did not disappoint:

23 Be diligent to know the state of your flocks,
And attend to your herds;–Proverbs 27:23

Deep in the 27th chapter of Proverbs, there is treasure to be found. Here, Solomon has written a five verse poem as an admonition for a son to be a good steward of the land and livestock. He offers practical advice, like a farmer’s almanac, but of course there is a far-reaching application. 

For as a shepherd tends to his flock of sheep, or a cowboy guides a herd across the Texas plains, so the pastor is called to the same sense of duty. I am recently reminded of the “cattle call,” the lullaby that a cowboy would sing on those quiet nights along the trail, and how the singing would calm the fears of those under his watchful eye. As the fascinating blog "Traces of Texas" describes:

Over time, cowboys learned what would and would not disturb cattle along the Chisholm Trail, and they began to sing to their herds at night, or play calming melodies on the fiddle, to soothe them as they rested on the plain. These cowboy lullabies are a great legacy of the cattle-drive era, and who can say that they did not quiet the animals in their last days, as well as the anxious riders who longed for sweethearts or save passage through wind and sleet?–Deane Stillman, "Mustang: The Saga of the Wild Horse in the American West.”

As a pastor, you too often ride herd over a skittish, fearful, and vulnerable group of God’s people. The three “great adversaries of our souls:” the world, the flesh, and the devil, all prowl in the darkness for them–and for you. In the darkness, you remind them of the One who is the light. Cowpoke Stillman again: 

Pleasant it was on a warm, clear night to circle slowly around a herd of cattle that were bedded down quiet and breathing deep and out there to catch the strains of a song or fiddle coming from camp, where the campfire was like a dim star.”–Deane Stillman, "Mustang: The Saga of the Wild Horse in the American West.”

[As a bonus, here is legendary performer Eddie Arnold, who first recorded his "Cattle Call" in 1944]

Be diligent to know the state of your flocks, is a call to self-discipline. Daily prayer and study of the Word is one thing, but there is a true sense of focus on the work at hand. For a shepherd, this will mean knowing his sheep–their habits, personalities, needs, strengths and weaknesses. He not only protects them, he is concerned for their health and well-being physically–their condition. The word here used, פְּנֵ֣י (panim) literally means “their faces.” 

This is good husbandry, and good sense. For the pastor, the call is no less significant. As I think of all the smiling and gracious faces of the people of our new church, I am aware that I need to take time not only to recognize each of them by name and face–as their pastor I must know them. To do so properly will mean to empty my life in order that it may be filled with theirs. 

Paul, as a good Jewish child, had doubtless studied Proverbs, and took it to heart. In his address to the elders in Ephesus, offered them this same advice–with a striking reminder:

28 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.–Acts 20:28 

The people of my church–and the people of your church–are not only God’s flock, they were purchased by His own blood:

11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.–John 10:11

As Solomon exhorts his son to truly know his flock as he guides them to success, he is sharing practical ancient wisdom. The Good Shepherd is the Wisdom of God (I Corinthians 1:30), and He leads His flock with sure and selfless confidence, for He knows the green pastures that await them all in His father’s fields. 

Some of you reading this have been pastors and leaders of God’s people for many years, or even decades. You know all too well the life of sacrifice to which you have been called–along with your own family. 

Many of you reading this have pastors of your own. Seek to continue to love them and their families, encourage them, and pray for them daily. They need it.

My family and I covet your prayers as our journey begins, and you will continue to have ours. 

The Monday—Friday DEEPs are written by Mike Slay and this Saturday Deep is written by Matt Richardson. To subscribe to all the DEEPs click here:

https://www.ailbe.org/resources/community

The weekly study guides, which include the Monday–Friday devotionals plus related questions for discussion or meditation, are available for download here:

https://www.ailbe.org/resources/itemlist/category/91-deep-studies

Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. ESV stands for the English Standard Version. © Copyright 2001 by Crossway. Used by permission. All rights reserved. NIV stands for The Holy Bible, New International Version®. © Copyright 1973 by International Bible Society. Used by permission. All rights reserved. KJV stands for the King James Version.