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Psalm 23 - II
He leads me in path of righteousness -- Psalm 23:3
King David says in Psalm 23, "He leads me." Even today God leads His children, those who have been born again from above by the Spirit of God. We must remember this is referring to sheep being led by the one True Shepherd. He doesn't lead us like a bunch of hogs that must be coerced or forced into submission. He leads us (like sheep) in paths of righteousness for His name's sake.
I have been on a lot of different paths in my lifetime. When I was a child we would walk the path to the neighbor's house, where we would watch television in the evening. There was also the path that led from the pull off down to the old swimming hole in the Cocolamus Creek. I often played on the worn trail that my brothers and sisters walked to get to the Evendale School. In my teen years, I would sometimes walk the sandy paths that led from the boardwalk to the beach and the ocean. As I got older, I often used the paths on the Shade Mountain when I would go hunting.
David describes the paths that God has for His sheep; they are called "paths of righteousness." Romans 8:28 helps us to understand his purpose for us when we must walk paths of adversity that are very unpleasant. "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." So how does that work? How can all the circumstances in life work for our good?
We can't always understand God's plan and purpose for our lives; but His glory must come before our desires. If God is glorified through our lives because we reflect the character and goodness of God, it will eventually be for our good.
King David goes on to say, "He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake." For the majority of church-goers in America, this verse creates a big problem. God doesn't lead us into a sinful, wicked, ungodly lifestyle that is contrary to His word. If we are living in sin, then it would seem apparent (according to Psalm 23) that God isn't leading us; the devil is.
God leads us in paths of righteousness for His name's sake. Or we could say, for His honor and glory. This was the main reason for God creating in the beginning, so that man would reflect the character of the Creator. When God leads His children, it is so they become more like Christ, more sinless each day. Progressive sanctification is the normal process for a Christian. Hebrews 12:6 says,
"For whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives." If you are enjoying the pleasures of sin for a season, and not feeling Gods correcting hand, you are probably a spiritual bastard. If God is truly our Father, He will not allow us to continually dishonor Him and bring shame and disgrace upon His name.
Ephesians 1:5-6 says, "having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace." Verse 12 says, "that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of the glory of His grace." Why does He lead us in paths of righteousness? That we might be to the praise of His glory. Are our lives glorifying Him? If God is leading us, we must be walking the pathway of righteousness.
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Lyndon Stimeling, of Richfield, has been writing about faith and family for many years. He has self-published three books, Common Thoughts on The Word in 2016 and Eye of a Needle in 2017 and Common Thoughts on The Word II in 2019. He has also had articles published in The Coming Home Journal and local newspapers and has written a children's book.