Psalm 23:3b
He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
A good shepherd knows where to find the best feeding grounds for his sheep. He knows which paths are dangerous and which pastures are prowling with danger and he keeps his sheep protected and away from such areas. David the writer of this psalm would know this because he himself was a shepherd before he became a king.
God leads us in the path of righteousness if only we would be keen enough to listen.
John 10:27-28 (KJV)
27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
Jesus who is the good shepherd says that His sheep know his voice and He knows them and they follow Him. You and I have to believe that God has a good plan for our lives in order for us to follow Him. There are times He will lead us into the wilderness and dry places. In such cases, we have to walk in faith and not allow what we see in the natural to cause us to panic and give in to the temptation of running and finding our own path.
Jesus was led by the Spirit in to the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. It doesn’t sound like a good thing right? But He was led there by the Spirit of God and He came out triumphant.
One question we always need to ask ourselves every day is;
“Who is leading me? Am I being led by the good shepherd or am I leading myself?”
The good shepherd leads us in paths of righteousness for his names sake. His name is on the line which should be a guarantee to you and I that He will deliver because His name is on the line. If only we would learn to trust the leading of the good shepherd in our careers, marriage, and ministry and in every other thing we do, then life would be so much better because He knows what is best for us and the right route to take us there.
Are you lost? Are you unsure about which road to take?
Slow down and take some time to talk to the good sheered, ask Him which way to go and He will direct you. Remember;
Proverbs 3:5-6 (KJV)
5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
