THE DOOR OF THE SHEEPFOLD I will never leave you nor forsake you. In order to become thoroughly acquainted with the shepherd of the Syrian sheep, nothing could be better than spending a day with the flock on the Lebanese hillside, until our faithful shepherd returns home in the evening. His little village, nestling most restfully on the shoulders of a Lebanon hill, in the midst of a fascinating circle of ancient pines and oaks, looks from the adjacent sea-coast like a piece of a new paradise. The sheep, being tired, are led straight to the fold, where they are counted and left to rest. Then the shepherd goes home, washes his face and feet, and takes supper. Early in the evening our shepherd returns to his sheep, spreads his bed across the door of the fold, lays his heavy rod by his side, and sings himself quietly and happily to sleep. Doesn’t this remind us of the meaning of Christ when he said, “I am the door?” During the long silence of the Lebanon night the wolves may prowl around the fold, the thieves may peep over the wall, but the mere presence of the shepherd at the door is sufficient to hold all the enemies of the sheep at bay. Considering this parable, what shall I say to those nervous, fearful Christians — and America is full of nervous people — who keep running from one minister to another, from one church to another, from one lecture hall to another, searching diligently for a sure-as-daylight salvation, but without peace, without rest? As long as the Good Shepherd is at the door of their hearts, yes, rather in their hearts, they are safer than the stars in their courses - and need not worry at all about their salvation, or anything else for that matter, because we are not alone in this journey.
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