“He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” Psalm 23:3
January 30, 2023
Sheep are notorious for not being too smart. They have a knack for taking the wrong paths, grazing too long in one area, and generally making bad decisions. Being called a sheep is not a compliment. They need a good and wise shepherd. The psalmist’s Shepherd is the Lord. The Shepherd assures His sheep of clear leading in right paths. Such guidance is given as the sheep follow the Shepherd’s instructions. The right paths for the believer are the morally right paths (“The righteousness of the blameless keeps his way straight,…” Prov. 11:5). Sinning will put us on the wrong path every time. Holding a grudge and bitterness is not good for the reputation of the Lord. Sleeping in on Sunday morning instead of worshiping with God’s people is not green pastures and still waters. Trying to chase down another man’s wife is not a path of righteousness. God has given us all the right trails to take. It is our responsibility to read, study, and interpret correctly what God has said. Mix this with obedience and you have conduct that makes God look good. One further matter. Beware of the 23rd Channel: “The TV is my shepherd; my spiritual growth shall want. It maketh me to sit down and do nothing for His Name’s sake, because it requireth all my leisure time. It keepeth me from doing my duty as a Christian because it presenteth so many good shows that I must see.”
H
“O Lord Most High, keep me from sinking or sinning in the evil day; help me to carry into ordinary life portions of divine truth and use them on suitable occasions so that its doctrines may inform, its warnings caution, its rules guide, its promises comfort me.” (tvov)