THE ROLE OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD - PART 2

SATURDAY 15 JUNE 2024

There is unspeakable joy that arises from feasting and benefitting from the roles of the Good Shepherd. The Lord is the Good Shepherd, and our blessings, spiritual well being, and all-round prosperity are delightful and pleasant to Him.

Reference: Psalm 23:3 English Standard Version (ESV)

"He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake."

Having expounded the first segment, "He restores my soul", the next and last segment in line with the above versified reference - to be expounded by my humble self, is:

He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake.

The role of the Good Shepherd is to lead in the paths of righteousness. The paths of righteousness provide access to revelatory insight into life. To that effect, Solomonic inspiration reads, "In the path of righteousness is life, and in its pathway there is no death" (Proverbs 12:28 ESV). Paths of righteousness host accurate divine guidance. My favourite observation in my walk with God is the pattern of His divine leading or guidance; it is reliable and life refreshing. However, notice that the Good Shepherd leads in paths (not path) of righteousness. Paths here implies "ways of manifesting righteousness." For instance, going to a Spirit-led and Bible-believing church is the Good Shepherd leading you in a solid path of righteousness. King David experienced the path with unspeakable joy. Zero wonder he expressed to himself: "I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord" (Psalm 122:1 KJV).

Another means by which the Good Shepherd leads in paths of righteousness is by turning people's heart to God by means of sharing the truths of the glorious Gospel that lead to their repentance. The book of Daniel calls it, "turning many to righteousness." The ESV Translation reads, "...those who turn many to righteousness, are like the stars forever and ever" (Daniel 12:3). He also leads you in path of righteousness by empowering you to observe to do what is right, which implies that the transformative power of God is working in you. To that effect, Johannine literature in accordance with 1st John 3:7 reads, "Dear children, don't let anyone deceive you about this: When people do what is right, it shows that they are righteous, even as Christ is righteous" (NLT).

Beloved, the Psalmist considered and acknowledged the Good shepherd as the One leading him in paths of righteousness, which entirely denotes that the Lord was working in him, giving him the desire and the power to do what pleased Him. So convincingly, Philippians 2:13 (NLT) is the version of Pauline vivid consciousness that equates our referenced Scripture. Indeed, the Good Shepherd is the One working in us both to will and to work according to His good pleasure. In other words, by working exceedingly in us, He inspires us to function in paths of righteousness.

The paths of righteousness are far from everything that is contrary to the authority and governing influence of eternal truth and righteousness. Simply put, the Word of God is a more sure guide to paths of righteousness. To that effect, Pauline epistolary expression numbered as 2nd Timothy 3:16 (ESV) reads, "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness." Got it? The Word exerts divine grace in our hearts, which enables us to receive its instructions for training in righteousness. So entertaining the ministry and teachings of the Word of God with relish - will be your greatest guiding light - in your walk with the Good Shepherd. Therefore practise studying and obeying the Word of God, in order to experience more satisfaction and delight in all paths of righteousness.

In summary, what did the Psalmist mean when He said, "For His name's sake?" He simply meant that the Good Shepherd positions us to attend to Him in righteous and holy duties, by way of His purpose (ie, such paths are considered "desirable" to Him). To instantiate this verity, Pauline epistolary dictum numbered as Ephesians 4:24 (ESV), urges us to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness." Why put on the new self? It is for His name's sake! Shalom!

Scripture Reading - Proverbs 4:18; John 14:6; Proverbs 21:21; John 16:13; 1 John 1:7.

Guided Prayer:

Gracious Father in heaven and the Lord Jesus Christ, I thank you for always leading me in paths of righteousness for your name's sake, which are profitable to my spirit, soul and body. I'm constantly influenced by the power of your Word - to do what is right and pleasing in your sight because of your perfect guidance, and for this reason, I'm utterly grateful, in Jesus' Name, Amen.