(1) The rutting and erosion of trails
(2) The over foraging of the land
(3) The infestation of the sheep
Phillip Keller writes,
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 diseases 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. (A Shepherd Looks at the 23 Psalm, pp. 70)
This is why the good shepherd had to always be prepared to guide his sheep in the right paths to greener and cleaner pastures.
Keller adds,
The greatest single safeguard which a shepherd has in handling his flock is to
keep them on the move. That is to say, they dare not be left on the same ground
too long. They must be shifted from pasture to pasture periodically. This
prevents over-grazing of forage. It also avoids the rutting of trails and
erosion of land from over use. It forestalls the infestation of the sheep with
internal parasites or disease, since the sheep move off the infested ground
before these organisms complete their life cycles. (pp. 72)
In other words, there had to be a deliberate plan of action in place to rotate the sheep from field to field. The owner’s entire reputation and good name is at stake and is dependent on how well he managed his sheep.
Like sheep we too can find ourselves on the same old paths of life going to the same fields and staying there until we do real damage to the pasture and our own health and well being.
While the LORD wants us to be consistent and faithful in our lives, He also doesn’t want us to get in a rut. Rather He wants us to be on the go moving forward to the next green pasture that He has prepared ahead of time for us.
This is what life is really all about. We are on a journey. This world is not our home and there is the real sense in which the Shepherd doesn’t want us to get too comfortable with the here and now.
In addition, the Shepherd has a predetermined plan for our lives. There are “right paths” for us to follow. Consequently there is also the possibility of getting on the wrong path as well.
Haddon W. Robinson says,
“Many authors have looked at human beings as weary travelers journeying across a
great expanse of wilderness called life. A thousand voices and a thousand paths
beckon us. For the most part we wander on in bewilderment, slipping into the
first path that attracts us. When we discover that it ends in rocks and
thickets, we try another one…… Seeking to find our way unguided is both
difficult and dangerous.” (The Good Shepherd: Reflections on Psalm 23, pp. 17)
This is why the Shepherd’s guidance is so important. He knows the paths that we should be walking on because He knows where we should be going.
Þ But there is more to it than that.
When God leads us in the right paths He not only directs us to the right places, but He leads us to the right kind of life. God’s leading is not so much to a place as to a righteous life and character. In other words, God’s guidance has to do with what I am, not where I am.
That is why David calls them “paths of righteousness.”
One of the ways God leads us is by feeding us (green pastures). He works through His word to show us His will. He reveals to us where He wants us to go and what He wants us to be.
(1) He wants to lead us to salvation
2 Peter 3:9
9 The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.
1 Timothy 2:3-4
3 This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
(2) He wants to lead us to a Spirit-filled life
Ephesians 5:15-18
15 Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, 16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil. 17 So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit,
(3) He wants to lead us to sanctification
1 Thessalonians 4:1-7
1 Finally then, brethren, we request and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that, as you received from us instruction as to how you ought to walk and please God (just as you actually do walk), that you may excel still more. 2 For you know what commandments we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus. 3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each of you know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, 5 not in lustful passion, like the Gentiles who do not know God; 6 and that no man transgress and defraud his brother in the matter because the Lord is the avenger in all these things, just as we also told you before and solemnly warned you. 7 For God has not called us for the purpose of impurity, but in sanctification.
(4) He wants to lead us submission
1 Peter 2:13-15
13 Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, 14 or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. 15 For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men.
(5) He wants to lead us into suffering
1 Peter 3:13-17
13 And who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled, 15 but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; 16 and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong.
1 Peter 4:12-19
12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; 13 but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing; so that also at the revelation of His glory, you may rejoice with exultation. 14 If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. 15 By no means let any of you suffer as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler; 16 but if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not feel ashamed, but in that name let him glorify God. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And if it is with difficulty that the righteous is saved, what will become of the godless man and the sinner? 19 Therefore, let those also who suffer according to the will of God entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.
(6) He wants to lead us to thankful spirits
1 Thessalonians 5:18
18 in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
The key is found in Romans 12:1-2
1 I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
Þ If we are what God wants us to be, then He will place us where He wants us to be.
The shepherd not only knows our name but He also knows both His purpose for us and our potential.
Notice David says “He guides me.” His guidance grows out of a personal relationship. God doesn’t give us a road map and tell us to follow it rather He Himself goes before us and takes us to the place of His choosing.
“For His name’s sake”
This phrase reminds us that He has a reputation to keep. If a shepherd were to take his flock into the wilderness and then leave them there or to lose them to wolves he would be disgraced.
It is for the sake of God’s (the Good Shepherd’s) name that He will not lead us astray. It is for the sake of His character, for the sake of His name that He leads us (His sheep) safely home.
Phillip Keller writes,
The intelligent shepherd is aware of all of this. Not only just for the welfare
of his sheep and the health of his land, but also for his own sake and
reputation as rancher, he must take the necessary precautions to safeguard
against these adverse animal traits. Such habits in themselves, comprise very
serious hazards. (pp. 72)
There is also another aspect of this for us to consider:
In the Bible, names have meaning and are of great importance. A person’s character was conveyed by a name. This was especially true of God. cf. LORD – Jehovah
What people believe about the Lord depends on what they see in those of us who bear His name. The Lord our Shepherd guides us in the paths of righteousness so that He might reveal Himself to the world through us.
Here is the problem: We are stubborn like sheep – “stiff-necked”
Isaiah 53:6
6 All of us like sheep have gone astray,
Each of us has turned to his own way;
But the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all
To fall on Him.
NAS
Stiff-necked has in it the idea of destructive self-determination, thinking we know what’s best for ourselves.
Just as sheep will blindly, habitually and stupidly follow one another along the same trails until they become ruts we as human beings cling to the same self-destructive habits that have brought ruin to other’s lives.
Turning my own way simply means doing what “I” want.
Proverbs 14:12
12 There is a way which seems right to a man,
But its end is the way of death.
Jesus, the Good Shepherd, on the other hand says,
John 14:6
6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me.
John 10:10
10 "The thief comes only to steal, and kill, and destroy; I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly.
Our problem is that we don’t want to follow and we don’t want to be led in the paths of righteousness. We would rather go our own way even though the path we are on leads to certain trouble. Broken homes, broken lives, and broken hearts everywhere constantly remind us that people want to go their own way.
How can we keep from wandering off the beaten path?
(1) Instead of loving myself most I must seek to love Christ first and others second and myself last.
This kind of love is a costly thing….
1 John 3:16
16 We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
(2) Instead of being a part of the crowd I must be willing to be singled out and set apart.
Mark 8:34
34 And He summoned the multitude with His disciples, and said to them, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.
(3) Instead of insisting on my own rights I must be willing to forego them for the benefit of others.
Matthew 18:1-6
1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" 2 And He called a child to Himself and set him before them, 3 and said, "Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 "Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 "And whoever receives one such child in My name receives Me; 6 but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it is better for him that a heavy millstone be hung around his neck, and that he be drowned in the depth of the sea.
(4) Instead of finding fault with life and always asking “Why?” I must be willing to accept every circumstance of life with gratitude.
Proverbs 3:5-6
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
And do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight.
(5) Instead of asserting my will I must learn to accept and cooperate with His will.
Jeremiah 29:11
11 'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD,' plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.
John 10:27
27 "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; NAS
He Guides Me
He doesn’t……
· Trick me
· Drive me
· Beg me
· Cajole me
· Bribe me
· Drag me
……in the paths of righteousness, rather He guides us! He shepherds us! He leads us!
Exodus 13:21
21 And the LORD was going before them in a pillar of cloud by day to lead them on the way, and in a pillar of fire by night to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night.
Someone has reminded us that all of the promises here are in the present tense.
· He makes me
· He leads me
· He restores me
· He guides me
· Thou art with me…..
According to Herbert Lockyer, This tells us that the care of the shepherd is ever present and never fails. How true!
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