He restores my soul. (Psalm 23:3a)
Sometimes a sheep is on the ground and it cannot get up by itself—it is ‘cast.’ This is an old English word for a sheep lying on its back and unable to get up. If it remains there long enough, it will die. It is helpless and vulnerable to predators (vultures, buzzards, coyotes, etc.).
What happens? A sheep will lie down in a depression in the ground, and then roll over on its back with its legs flailing in the air. Its blood circulation gets cut off and it is unable to right itself. If it is hot enough, it will die in a few hours. The shepherd must be constantly on the look-out for cast sheep, for the predators surely are. If the cast sheep is heavy with young, than the loss is a multiple loss.
You might be familiar with the hymn ‘The Ninety and Nine.’ It is the story of the shepherd looking for that one cast sheep. When the shepherd finds the sheep, it rights it, speaks sternly but tenderly, massages its extremities, and sometimes has to carry the sheep back.
Why do sheep become cast? We will consider three possible reasons and their spiritual implications.
First, they may be looking for a soft spot. Sheep look for rounded hollows in the ground in which to rest. The problem is, they roll over and cannot get up.
Too many of God’s people are looking for the easy way, where there is no hardship or endurance. We must remember that life is a battle everyday against the world, the flesh, and the Devil. “Thou, therefore, endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.” (2 Timothy 2:3)
Second, a sheep can be cast if they have too much wool. Wool speaks in Scripture of pride and personal ambition. The wool must be shorn. Neither the sheep nor the shepherd enjoys this process, but what a great relief there is when it is over. The heavy coat is gone, which is often clogged with mud, manure, briars, and sticks.
What a picture this is of the self-life! What a relief to yield to God and be clean!
“Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” (2 Corinthians 7:1)
And third, they can become cast if they have too much weight—they are too fat! Of course, the shepherd keeps a close eye on the weight of his sheep, but some eat more than others.
Spiritually, we might think that we have arrived; but unfortunately it is very easy to fall.
Wherefore let him that thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. (1 Corinthians 10:12)
Is health a measure of spiritual success? Many lost people are healthy. How about material success? Again, many folks who are without Christ are quite wealthy. It is all a matter of heart. We might need to go on a spiritual diet. (Colossians 3:8-17)
Surely, one would think that anyone taken care of by the Good Shepherd would not need restoration. Yet even David knew what it was to be cast down, to be discouraged. (Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Psalm 42:11).
Therefore, if you know the Savior, when you sin, confess it (1 John 1:9). When you are discouraged or anxious, look for His strength (Ephesians 6:10). When you are full of sorrow, lay hold of His joy (Philippians 4:4).
Understand that it is we who cast ourselves. If we come to the Savior, in simple faith, He will never cast us out! (John 6:37)