Follow Christ's Leading

A Study in the Psalms: Psalm 23

Keller, W. Phillip. "He Leadeth Me in the Paths of Righteousness For His Name's Sake." A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Pub. House, 1970. 70-80. Print.

Psalm 23:3b

He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. 

"Sheep are notorious creatures of habit. If left to themselves they will follow the same trails until they become ruts; graze the same hills until they turn to desert wastes; pollute their own ground until it is corrupt with disease and parasites. Many of the world's finest sheep ranges have been ruined beyond repair by over-grazing, poor management and indifferent or ignorant sheep owners." (70) Sheep need the guidance of a good manager; one who recognizes when it's time to move the sheep to another grazing area. The shepherd's reputation depends on his sheep flourishing and thriving.

Isaiah said it so well in Isaiah 53:6a, "We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way..." I am like a sheep in that before Christ came into my life, I continued in my path of sin, doing my own thing. As a Christian, there are still times I'm stubborn and try to go my own way. There are times I think my way is best or I get impatient with God and try to take care of things on my own; however, this path is cause for self destruction.

The shepherd must keep the sheep on the move to prevent over-grazing and overuse of the land. "There must be a pre-determined plan of action, a deliberate, planned rotation from one grazing ground to another in line with right and proper principles of sound management. This is precisely the sort of action and the idea David had in mind when he spoke of being led in paths of righteousness." (72) The shepherd's reputation depends on good management of his sheep. That is why David ends this part of the verse with "for His name's sake."

The shepherd already knows where the sheep will thrive and which spots are poor and not worthy of grazing. He plans out their movement from one area to the next. This is a great parallel to my Good Shepherd, Christ. He knows the way I need to go. He leads me "in paths of righteousness." Jesus calls for me to follow Him. I need to be willing to follow where He leads. It's hard to follow Christ because that means I have to deny myself. I am no longer following after my desires, but after Christ's desires for me. As Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, "Not my will, but Yours be done."

The Bible speaks several times about how my ways are not God's. I've only listed a couple below. I think God knew we'd need the reminder frequently. I catch myself often trying to go my own way when He sends that gentle reminder that His ways are not my ways.

Proverbs 14:12, 16:25

There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.

 Isaiah 55:8

For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, declares the Lord.

I'm so thankful for a Shepherd who knows the paths I need to take, and He leads me where I need to go. I don't have to worry about which direction to go or about being stuck in a rut when I follow Christ's leading in my life. Even though, at times, I still worry about my direction, I can rest in the leading of my Shepherd knowing He will take me where I need to go. All I have to do is follow Him.

Two hymns come to mind as I read this verse.

He Leadeth Me
I love the version of this song I linked, but it does leave out one of the verses.

1. He leadeth me, O blessed thought!
   O words with heav’nly comfort fraught!
   Whate’er I do, where’er I be
   Still ’tis God’s hand that leadeth me.
   • Refrain:
     He leadeth me, He leadeth me,
     By His own hand He leadeth me;
     His faithful foll’wer I would be,
     For by His hand He leadeth me.
2. Sometimes ’mid scenes of deepest gloom,
   Sometimes where Eden’s bowers bloom,
   By waters still, o’er troubled sea,
   Still ’tis His hand that leadeth me.
3. Lord, I would place my hand in Thine,
   Nor ever murmur nor repine;
   Content, whatever lot I see,
   Since ’tis my God that leadeth me.
4. And when my task on earth is done,
   When by Thy grace the vict’ry’s won,
   E’en death’s cold wave I will not flee,
   Since God through Jordan leadeth me.

Where He Leads Me I Will Follow
This hymn has very simple yet meaningful words. I won't repeat the words as they are in the song, but I've written out the basic words for you to read.

I can hear my Savior calling, "Take thy cross and follow, follow Me."
Where He leads me I will follow. I'll go with Him, with Him all the way.
I'll go with Him through the waters. I'll go with Him, with Him all the way.
I'll go with Him through the garden. I'll go with Him, with Him all the way.
I'll go with Him to dark Calv'ry. I'll go with Him, with Him all the way.
I'll go with Him to the judgment. I'll go with Him, with Him all the way.
He will give me grace and glory, and go with me, with me all the way.