45. Leads
Psalm 23.3
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
A sheep like me constantly needs leading and guiding, especially after having been restored again and again. My self-absorbed nature is prone to wander. Therefore, He promises to give me the leadership and guidance I need. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, is the right way. I only need to be led by the Holy Spirit to come back to Jesus and get on the way, the path of righteousness.
Yes, the promise is that the Lord will lead me in the paths of righteousness. This means two things, two wonderful blessings for me: One) I am on the path of righteousness by the faith of Jesus Christ granted to me by the Holy Spirit through the Gospel, thus I am righteous, I am declared to be so, and I will remain so; Two) I am walking and living a more righteous life in reality for the Holy Spirit is leading me in the right path. This is also a wonderful blessing because living on the right path results in blessings and beneficial consequences.
The Lord leads me in the way I should go for my benefit and blessing, but mainly he leads me for his own name’s sake. The name and reputation and character of God are stake. I am bearing His name and my righteous behavior reflects His Name on earth to all living and nonliving creatures. God has a “selfish” motivation for leading me on the right paths. His character shines forth through His redeemed children and they all give glory to God by living in the paths of righteousness.
There are several right paths for each sheep and several options may be chosen and each would be right; but there is only one Shepherd and the wisest choice is to keep Him in view during every decision of life. Look unto Jesus at all times, especially during crisis periods: then allow the Holy Spirit to produce impressions on your spirit, let your conscience enlighten, and use the Word to open the mind with its warnings and promises. The Holy Spirit may whisper within: “This is the way, walk ye in it.” We need to be kept continually broken so that we are willing to be led with our wills subdued by His grace and so He keeps us as faithful followers. The Holy Spirit disposes us to enter His path and enables us to walk in it and then to persevere to the end.
Following the leader begins with the love of God in Christ; the love of Christ dwells with the believer but cannot dwell with the love of sin. We do sin daily and we get off the path; we repent regularly and get back on the path. Life is lived with fits and starts; the goal is that every thought and imagination of the heart would be brought into subjection to Christ; we will not reach the goal, but we will press on toward the goal always. God’s Love puts the sinner on the path and keeps him there; of that promise we may be sure, while we press on to the goal.
When we see our own insignificance and even corruption, it is a great comfort to know God will put us right and put all things to rights. He will overrule events for good, come to pick us up, restore us and lead us to glory. Along the way the sheep have the great privilege of using His Name for every prayer and need. Be willing to be freely and unreservedly loved. Love His paths and love His righteousness.