HE LEADETH ME, O BLESSED THOUGHT!

"He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake." Psalm 23:3

The word used for “paths” refers to a “well-defined and well-worn trail.” This is one more bit of evidence about how stupid sheep really are. Even when the path is perfectly clear, sheep will still stray. Since the shepherd knows the trails, he can guide them in the best way. God guides us for His sake, not for ours. His reputation is at stake. His character is on display. His name is Yahweh and He will accomplish His purposes and lead us on proper paths.

Without the guidance of a shepherd:

Sheep will wander! They'll wander into peril. I know this from experience! I am prone to wander...Sometimes it's because of my a.d.d. (things catch my eye and I'm off to the races in exploration) Sheep are often oblivious to the danger of uneven ground or of predators and so are we. We see "greener grass" and lose sight of what dangers are around us. That's the way temptations work.

Sheep will settle! They'll stop for brown, crusty chaff. They'll devour husks with no nutrients. Sheep will drink from stagnant, polluted pools. But thanks to the wisdom care and knowledge of the Shepherd, the sheep are led past stubble and polluted waters, and even past some pretty tempting oases, until they reach the grassy meadows. So also God our Shepherd will lead us in paths of righteousness. We too are called upon to walk right by paths that obviously lead to destruction and even some paths that seem on the surface to lead to happiness. But we follow the Shepherd because we know his kind disposition and his wisdom.

Sheep will perish! In Verses 1-3, the sheep are in sunshine, but we see a movement into the shadows. Without the contentment, nourishment, restoration and guidance of the shepherd, the sheep will die!

It is to the honour of our great Shepherd that we should be a holy people,
walking in the narrow way of righteousness. (Spurgeon)