He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Psalm 23:3b-4
To say that the world has changed dramatically in the last two months feels like an understatement. That we ever used adjectives like “unprecedented,” “once-in-a-lifetime,” or “extraordinary” for things as mundane as movies and theme park rides seems silly by comparison. To varying degrees, the entire world is being affected by COVID-19 and the measures being taken to contain its spread. As we’re entering the third month of this crisis here in the U.S., it’s hard to know if the light we’re seeing at the end of the tunnel means we’re almost through it, or if we’re staring at a speeding train barreling down on us.
In some ways, the crisis we’re in is unprecedented, but we are certainly not the first generation to face a massive threat. Christians from every era have been able to find comfort and strength in the midst of even the most extreme forms of adversity. In times of uncertainty, Psalm 23 reminds us that we have a God who lovingly cares for us. It reminds us that the source of our hope and comfort is not an end to “stay-at-home” orders, a vaccine, or economic recovery, but Yahweh, who is our Shepherd. Those who trust in his provision and guidance lack nothing because he is with them, even as they move through the darkness.
This week we’re continuing our slow walk through Psalm 23. Let’s start the week by reading through all six verses. You might want to read them out loud.
Psalm 23 (NIV)
A psalm of David.
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me;your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
As we move through the second stanza this week, continue to reflect on the God who is your Shepherd, and commit the Psalm’s words to memory, hiding them in your heart for these unprecedented times.
Day One
“He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.” (Psalm 23:3b)
Reflect
Although shepherding has changed some in modern times, the basic needs of sheep haven’t. In his book A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23, Phillip Keller describes his first sheep farm. He purchased it from an absentee owner who’d allowed a tenant to “load the ranch with sheep” and then “left them pretty much to their own ways.” The un-shepherded sheep desolated the land.
“Fields became so overgrazed and impoverished they would grow little but poverty grass. Little sheep trails had deteriorated into great gullies. Erosion on the slopes was rampant, and the whole place was ravaged almost beyond repair. All of this happened simply because the sheep, instead of being managed and handled with intelligent care, had been left to struggle for themselves — left to go their own way, left to the whims of their own destructive habits.”[1]
It’s not hard to see the parallels. Ever since the Garden of Eden, humanity has rejected God’s guidance and provision and insisted on going our own way. The consequences have been ruinous. Violence and injustice are common. We exploit one another and the creation for selfish gains. We experience broken relationships and broken lives because we have rejected the care and guidance of the Creator who designed us.
According to Keller, “The greatest single safeguard that a shepherd has in handling his flock is to keep them on the move.” The Shepherd shows us a better path and teaches us as we go.
Proverbs 14:12 warns us that “There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death,” but God’s way will lead to life and peace. When we trust in his love, and follow him, we are on the right path.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding,
In all your ways acknowledge him,
And he shall direct your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6
As his sheep, can trust that the Shepherd’s path, not our own, is the right one and follow as he directs.
Psalm 23 tells us that not only does God lead us on right paths, but he does so “for his name’s sake.” In the ancient world, a name was closely associated with the a person’s identity. For example, if you did something in the King’s name, you were not only doing something for him, but something that represented him. It would be assumed that the act reflected his character. The name of Yahweh represents his character — a God who is just, faithful, good, merciful, and powerful. The right paths are paths consistent with the divine shepherd’s righteousness.
In the book of Exodus, the Song of Moses declares that Yahweh leads with hesed, a rich concept that can be translated as loving kindness, loyal love, covenant faithfulness, steadfast love, loving devotion, or unfailing love.
In your unfailing love you will lead
the people you have redeemed.
In your strength you will guide them
to your holy dwelling.
Exodus 15:13
We follow the Good Shepherd because we trust in his faithfulness. He is committed to us and according to his unfailing love, he will guide us through green pastures and dark valleys alike. We know that the ultimate destination for God’s people is his holy dwelling. We are headed to God’s house, to live with him forever.
We should remember that our walk as God’s redeemed people reflects the character of our Shepherd. When we invite the Holy Spirit to lead us into greater Christlikeness, we bring honor to his name and demonstrate his character to the world. When we act with goodness, faithfulness, joy, love, justice, and mercy while proclaiming the name of Christ, we invite others to join the flock and move with us along right paths.
Unlike the absentee owner Keller describes, our Shepherd will never neglect us, but he will not force us to follow him. He leads with love, and it’s our decision whether or not we will follow him to better pastures.
[1] Philip Keller, A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23, (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2015), 58.
How do you know if you are being led by the Good Shepherd along right paths? What does that kind of life look like?
If you discover that you’re not following Jesus in some area of your life, what should you do? How can you practice confession and repentance? How can you invite the Spirit to lead you and then follow?
Pray
Before the Lord, reflect on the path you are on and whose lead you are following today. Examine your thoughts and actions. Invite the Spirit to increase your faith in the unfailing love of your Shepherd and show you how to acknowledge him in all your ways.