All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all (Isaiah 53:6). “Sheep are notorious creatures of habit. If let to themselves the 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.”[1] How much like sheep we humans truly are! We follow the crowd, even to our own demise; stubbornly determined to do our will. Believing we know what is best, our selfish, self-exalting nature determinately destroy the pastures we have so graciously been given. Yet, He leads us.
“He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake” (Psalm 23:3). A good shepherd watches his flock with diligent care. He knows the pitfalls. Also, he knows their natural tendency to stay put until the pasture is destroyed beyond repair, covered with parasites and deep ruts from the sheep continuously walking the same path that they created. Even then they remain feeding on the infested land until even the roots are destroyed. “The greatest safeguard that the 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.”[2]
God knows that when left to our own, we would perish. He leads us forward in paths of righteousness, lest we become complacent and flounder where we are. There may be valleys or rugged hills to cross, getting to the new pasture; but, He is leading us every step of the way.
He Leads
God has not left us alone. He has provided the Holy Spirit to comfort and guide us along this journey. Furthermore, He will not leave us where He has found us. “For whom He did foreknow, He did also predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son” (Romans 8:29).
He takes it upon Himself to complete the work He began in us. Patiently, He sifts away the chaff, chips away the hardness of our heart, and transforms us from the inside out. To do so, He must be constantly leading us forward. Growing steadily in the knowledge of Him as He leads us in the paths of righteousness.
Ephesians 1:3-12
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ. According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love. Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace. Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence. Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself. That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him. In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will. That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
For His Name’s Sake
God has put His own name on the line. “For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself” (Hebrews 6:13). He provided all that we needed for our redemption and He will accomplish all that He has planned in our sanctification as well. We cannot, of our own accord, become righteous. Only He can complete the work of transforming us into the likeness of the Son. Which may require that we follow Him through some very rugged paths on our way to new pastures. Yet, we must not remain stagnant at any place too long; or we will wither in our faith and our testimony.
How to Follow
- Trust the Shepherd. Wherever He leads, He knows what is best for you. He knows your fears, sorrows, and weaknesses.
- Study His Word daily.
- Spend time alone with Him each day.
- Recognize that every rugged path is the shepherd leading you to new pasture; where you will grow in His Grace. Be thankful for that truth, when it appears you have nothing else to be grateful for.
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR?
If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. Because there is nothing more important than this, I urge you to seek Him today.
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©Effie Darlene Barba, 2018
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
Footnotes and Credits:
[1] Phillip Keller, A Shepherd’s Look at Psalm 23, in The Inspirational Writings of Phillip Keller, (New York, NY: Inspirational Press, 1993), 58.
[2] Ibid.,59.
