May I ask? Were you a good follower yesterday or did you try to jump out and take the lead? Were there decisions you made that left you feeling uneasy, even anxious?
If so, I have good news for you.
“You, Lord, are my shepherd.
I will never be in need.
2 You let me rest in fields
of green grass.
You lead me to streams
of peaceful water,
3 and you refresh my life.
You are true to your name,
and you lead me
along the right paths.
4 I may walk through valleys
as dark as death,
but I won’t be afraid.
You are with me,
and your shepherd’s rod
makes me feel safe.
5 You treat me to a feast,
while my enemies watch.
You honor me as your guest,
and you fill my cup
until it overflows.
6 Your kindness and love
will always be with me
each day of my life,
and I will live forever
in your house, Lord.” Psalm 23
One of the most famous passages in the Bible starts with us being led to a good place and ends with us being followed by goodness and mercy. Goodness and mercy, kindness and love, are two characteristics that always, always, follow when the Shepherd leads.
Our good Shepherd will lead us to a place of safety and protection. His desire is to keep us in a place where He provides rest, refreshing, and restoration.
Jesus said:
“Listen to me. A time is coming when you will be scattered, each to his own home. In fact, that time is already here. You will leave me, and I will be alone. But I am never really alone, because the Father is with me. 33 ‘I have told you these things so that you can have peace in me. In this world you will have troubles. But be brave! I have defeated the world!'” John 16:32-33 ERV
“ A thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. But I came to give life—life that is full and good.” John 10:10 ERV
Those words above were spoken by Jesus while He was here on earth, involved in the day-to-day business of living life and being involved in the lives of the ordinary person. Jesus warned of enemies and troubling situations, but He also gave the reassurance that He has defeated them all.
King David addressed the issue of danger in Psalm 23. The valley of the shadow of death, enemies looking on and surprise attacks.
We can walk through life-threatening situations and be fearless because our Shepherd is there with His rod. That rod is used to drive off animals that would try to attack the sheep and it was also used to guide the sheep if they got too close to the edge of a cliff, a pit or the bank of a fast-flowing river.
When our enemies are lurking about, He prepares a banquet for us and has us seated at a table of refreshing. We have nothing to fear because He is always with us. The Father is always with us.
And finally, we are followed by goodness and mercy.
When a Shepherd walks in the lead it’s not uncommon to see his sheep dogs bringing up the rear. They aren’t there to frighten the sheep, but they are a rear guard, protecting the sheep from anything that may try to sneak up from behind.
Goodness and mercy. God’s love, forgiveness, compassion, peace follows us all the days of our lives.
Because of who our Shepherd is I say, “Lead On”, knowing that I can safely follow as He leads me down the right path.