The shepherd talks to the sheep throughout the day, wherever he happens to lead them. As long as they can hear his voice, they are contented and not afraid. The shepherd permits the sheep to graze in the pasture, but he is always within hearing distance of the sheep.
Sometimes a sheep will be attracted by something that catches its attention, such as fresh greenery or gardens, and will wander out of its hearing distance of the shepherd. As it gradually moves away from the flock, it loses its way. But the bleating of the lost sheep gets the attention of the shepherd, who always searches till he finds it and brings it back to the flock, away from danger and hardship.
The shepherd doesn't shield his sheep from every possibility of harm, for he knows that as they go through unpleasant experiences, they will learn a greater trust of his care and leading.
Our greatest safety and peace come as we listen to the voice of Jesus our Shepherd and stay within the range of His voice. However, we sometimes get distracted from the path and get in places where danger seems eminent. But we need not be overcome with fear, because Jesus our Shepherd is with us and is fully capable of warding off evil.
Sometimes God permits us to go through trials and learn lessons that teach us to trust in His care and leading. If He shielded us from every difficulty, we would not build resistance against the wiles of Satan. When we find ourselves in danger, we need to call out to our Shepherd in our distress. He will hear us, rescue us, and bring us back from fatal and forbidding places.
