When you were younger you heard the story of the shepherd boy who cried “wolf.” To refresh your memory, it goes like this.

Once upon a time there was a young boy whose job it was to watch over the sheep in the pasture and protect them from the marauding wolves and lions. The pasture was not far from a little village and he was told to just yell, “wolf…wolf” if he saw any wolves, etc. and the townspeople would run out to the meadow to help him fight off the predators.

Well, everything went well for a few days but the boy, being young and probably not understanding the severity of his actions, became bored one day and decided to create a little excitement. He began to cry: “wolf…..wolf…..wolf” with the loudest voice he could so the villagers would hear him. And, sure enough they did hear him yelling and someone began to ring the bell in the church steeple, signifying danger, and then a bunch of people ran, with pitchforks and clubs in their hands, to where the shepherd boy was. Their intent was to chase away the wolves or whatever was apparently attacking the flock of sheep.

However, when the people got to the meadow they found there was no wolf, the sheep were fine and the shepherd boy was all excited and thrilled to see all the people and to know that by just yelling “wolf” he could achieve so much attention. Now, the townsfolk didn’t appreciate the trick but they chalked it up to youthful inexperience and they scolded the boy and went back to their work.

A week or so went by and once again the shepherd boy was feeling lonely, unappreciated and bored, etc. and remembering the excitement of the last time, he once again cried out: “wolf……wolf……wolf” And, as they had done before, the villagers rang the bell in the steeple and then ran to where the flock of sheep were, only to once again find the shepherd boy had been untruthful and there was no emergency. So, once again, the elders of the village talked to the boy and explained the situation, stressing the seriousness of his actions and how, just because he was young it was no excuse for what he had done.

A few hours went by and as the shepherd boy watched over the flock of sheep grazing in the meadow, he noticed the movement of some objects on a hill nearby. The objects were heading in the direction of the sheep and as they got closer, the shepherd boy could see that these objects were indeed, wolves !

He began to shout: “wolf…..wolf….wolf…wolf” in the loudest voice he could. A few people in town heard his cries but they just looked at each other and said: “what’s the rush, it’s just another false alarm. He’s not telling the truth. There are no real wolves.” Meanwhile, the wolves were having a field-day taking down one sheep after another and getting closer and closer to the shepherd boy himself.

About this time, some of the villagers were arriving on the scene and when they saw what was happening, they yelled for more help and began to chase the wolves away. Just as two wolves were about to pounce on the shepherd boy, a group of townsfolk came over a rise in the meadow behind him and proceeded to drive the wolves away, thus saving the life of the boy.

This story is one that has been passed down from one generation to another through the years and is meant to help a child understand that you’re not supposed to tell lies or make up stories all the time because if you do, there will come a point where people will just quit believing everything you say…..even if it is true.

There are many stories of shepherds in God’s Word. The reason is that at this time in history, shepherding was a common sight and a natural way of life for a lot of people. Shepherds were important people because they watched over the flocks and picked up lambs that strayed away and then brought them back to the flock. It’s kind of like the cowboy on a cattle drive.

At times, the shepherd was even called upon to put his life on the line for the sheep. And he would fight if need be to protect them. We tend to think of stories about shepherds as things that only happened in the past but there are lots of instances of the same thing today.

There has been a lot of talk and news coverage lately because of the celebration of D-Day – June 6, 1944 and how it was such an important time in history. There have been all kinds of stories of how the soldiers endured all kinds of hardships and even gave their lives so that others might live. There have been many stories of bravery and self-sacrifice. There are stories of an ordinary soldier mustering up the courage to charge a machine gun or tank, knowing he will probably lose his life in the process but willing to do it so that his friends and comrades can live to fight on. There are the stories from WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, etc. of soldiers who purposefully use their own bodies to cover a grenade or mine to protect and save their fellow soldiers.

But the stories of shepherds trying to protect their flocks don’t end with soldiers and wars. They occur in many places. There are firemen, policemen, nurses, doctors, EMT’s, etc. that act each day to protect and help the rest of us. There are teachers, who go the extra distance to help a student understand the schoolwork so they don’t get behind. Teachers who are able to educate so that the kids can go on to further schooling, work training or the military so they might one day be able to have decent jobs and become good citizens and then give back to others in return.

And there are shepherds who are good friends or neighbors who won’t give up on their communities or their kids no matter how bad it looks or however outnumbered they seem to be. People who know the difference between right and wrong, moral and immoral or ethical and non-ethical. They are 4-H leaders, scout leaders, community service groups, Sunday school teachers and ministers, priests, rabbis and others too numerous to mention that strive to protect their “flock.”

And, there are parents who act as shepherds to their children by way of talking to them to explain right from wrong and what it means to be a good citizen, friend and neighbor to others. Parents should also be good shepherds by setting the example for their children to follow, not just telling them to do it.

Kids, teens, etc. are also shepherds by helping their families, friends and others to do what is right. At one time or another we are all shepherds protecting the flock and we are all soldiers too, fighting against those things or people who would hurt or destroy what is good. It’s not easy, that’s for sure. But it’s something each of us must do and do because its right not because we’ll get something in return.

Listening to the stories of the D-Day invasion in France, the horribleness of it and yet, the true acts of bravery of ordinary people, you see that it’s the ordinary people who become heroes. Leaders and people with titles and prestige may be important but when it comes down to really getting a job done, it’s the ordinary people like you and I who will ultimately get things accomplished.

Shepherds and soldiers work for God also. He has a flock (us) who need to be protected from all sorts of bad things. Sometimes the shepherds help us through our conscience that works through our spirit to help us recognize right from wrong. Sometimes the shepherds are ministers, etc. that teach us about God so we might be made stronger and more able to resist the temptation to do wrong.

Angels are another of God’s shepherds when they guide us and are soldiers when they battle with the forces of evil so that we might be saved. And sometimes, we ourselves are called on by God to be shepherds and soldiers to protect and defend His children. When your time comes to be a shepherd or soldier for God, I know you will be proud enough to stand up and take your place. You will never be disappointed.

The following is something to remember:

“He shall feed His flock like a shepherd: He shall gather the lambs in His arms and carry them in His bosom and gently lead those that are with young.” Isaiah 40:11 (KJV)

“Indeed, he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps. The LORD himself watches over you! The LORD stands beside you as your protective shade.” Psalm 121: 4, 5 (NLT)