Help! Help!
The shepherd heard the call
It was his sheep calling out for help,
At once he turned in its direction
As his heart within him melt.
He had heard that call before
From that very same sheep,
It had wandered off from the fold
Looking for grass to eat.
There was plenty in the fold
But it had spied a luscious patch
And it was now in serious trouble
As a viper on to it latched.
It had been oblivious to the danger
When off in the night it sped,
Away from the fold of the shepherd
Even though it had been fed.
But the shepherd was ever vigilant
He knew that this would happen,
Thus ensuring the safety of the others
He was quickly into action.
He snatched that lamb from the viper
And began to heal its hurt,
Unlike the uncaring hireling
He didn’t leave it in the lurch.
A reprimand was not first on his list
Its rescue was top priority,
This should be a valuable lesson
To us all and individually.
We get so annoyed at a brother
Who has wandered from the way
That we reprimand him all day long
And forget that we too have strayed.
First must be the rescue mission
Then we welcome him back
Then if necessary, the reprimand
But, please, no unnecessary flack.
Bear in mind, that sheep was me
When I was in the devil’s hand,
I shouted for help and Jesus heard my cry
I was released at his command.
He didn’t ask what I was doing there
Or who who messed up my view,
He simply did what he does best
That is to effect a rescue.
Satan had no choice but to release me
Once to the Shepherd I had cried,
His was a wonderful deliverance
And he is now working on my pride.
Help! Help! Can you hear that sheep?
That sheep that you criticized,
Help! Help! It could be me,
Just put your feelings aside.
Welcome him back to your arms today
Respond to his despairing cry,
Deprive the devil of his thieving catch
And a heart of compassion apply.
Stewart Russell © October 2019
