SHEPHERD LOOKS AT PSALM 23 #6

 A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23 #6

Leading into Paths of Righteousness

 HE LEADETH ME IN THE PATHS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

FOR HIS NAME SAKE

     SHEEP ARE NOTORIOUS creatures of habit. If left to

themselves they will follow the same trails until they become

ruts; graze the same hills until they turn to desert wastes;

pollute their own ground until it is corrupt with disease and

parasites. Many of the world's finest sheep ranges have been

ruined beyond repair by over-grazing, poor management and

indifferent or ignorant sheep owners.

     One need only travel through countries like Spain, Greece,

Mesopotamia, North Africa and even parts of the western United

States and New Zealand or Australia to see the havoc wrought by

sheep on the land: Some areas in these countries which were

formerly productive grasslands have gradually been reduced to

ravaged wastelands. Too many sheep over too many years under poor

management have brought nothing but poverty and disaster in their

wake.

     A commonly held, but serious misconception about sheep is

that they can just "get along anywhere." The truth is quite the

reverse. No other class of livestock requires more careful

handling, more detailed direction, than do sheep. No doubt 

David, as a shepherd himself, had learned this firsthand from tough

experience. He knew beyond dispute that if the flock was to

flourish and the owner's reputation was to be held in high esteem

as a good manager, the sheep had to be constantly under his

meticulous control and guidance.

     The first sheep farm I purchased as a young man was a piece

of derelict land that had been "sheeped to death." An absentee

owner had rented the place to a tenant. The latter simply loaded

the ranch with sheep, then left them pretty much to their own

ways. The result was utter desolation. Fields became so

overgrazed and impoverished they would grow little but poverty

grass. Little sheep trails had deteriorated into great gullies.

Erosion on the slopes was rampant and the whole place was 

ravaged almost beyond repair.

     All of this happened simply because the sheep, instead of

being managed and handled with intelligent care, had been left to

struggle for themselves - left to go their own way, left to the

whims of their own destructive habits. The consequence of such

indifference is that the sheep gnaw the grass to the very ground

until even the roots are damaged. I have seen places in Africa

where grass roots were pawed out of the soil, leaving utter

barrenness behind. Such abuse means loss of fertility and the

exposure of the land to all the ravages of erosion.

     Because of the behavior of sheep and their preference for

certain favored spots, these well-worn areas become quickly

infested with parasites of all kinds. In a short time a whole

flock can thus become infected with worms, nematodes, and scab.

The final upshot is that both land and owner are ruined while the

sheep become thin, wasted, and sickly.

     The intelligent shepherd is aware of all this. Not only just

for the welfare of his sheep and the health of his land, but also

for his own sake and reputation as a rancher, he must take the

necessary precautions to safeguard against these adverse animal

traits. Such habits, in themselves, comprise very serious

hazards.

     The greatest single safeguard which a shepherd has in

handling  his flock is to keep them on the move. That is to say,

they dare not be left on the same ground too long. They must be

shifted from pasture to pasture periodically. This prevents

over-grazing of the forage. It also avoids the rutting of trails

and erosion of land from over-use. It forestalls the

re-infestation of the sheep with internal parasites or disease,

since the sheep move off the infested ground before these

organisms complete their life cycles.

     In a word - there must be a pre-determined plan of action, a

deliberate, planned rotation from one grazing ground to another

in line with right and proper principles of sound management.

     This is precisely the sort of action and the idea David had

in mind when he spoke of being led in paths of righteousness.

     In this following of a precise plan of operation lies the

secret for healthy flocks and healthy land. Here is the key to

successful sheep husbandry. The owner's entire name and

reputation depends on how effectively and efficiently he keeps

his charges moving onto wholesome, new, fresh forage. The one 

who directs his flock along this course is sure of success.

     Casting my mind's eye back over the years that I kept sheep,

no other single aspect of the ranch operations commanded more 

of my careful attention than this moving of the sheep. It literally

dominated all my decisions. Not a day went by but what I would

walk over the pasture in which the sheep were feeding to observe

the balance between its growth and the grazing pressure upon it.

As soon as the point was reached where I felt the maximum benefit

for both sheep and land was not being met, the sheep were moved

to a fresh field. On the average this meant they were put onto

new ground almost every week. In very large measure the success 

I enjoyed in sheep ranching must be attributed to this care in

managing my flock.

     A similar procedure applies to flocks of sheep taken out on

summer range in the hills by itinerant herders. They deliberately

lead or drive their sheep onto fresh range almost every day. A

pattern of grazing is worked out carefully in advance so that the

sheep do not feed over the same ground too long or too frequently. 

Some shepherds set up a base camp and fan out from it in wide

circles, like the lobes of a clover leaf, covering new pasturage each 

day, returning to camp at night.

     Coupled with this entire concept of management, there is of

course the owner's intimate knowledge of his pastures. He has

been all over this ground again and again. He knows its every

advantage and every drawback. He knows where his flock will

thrive and he is aware of where the feed is poor. So he acts

accordingly.

     A point worthy of mention here is that whenever the shepherd

opens a gate into a fresh pasture the sheep are filled with

excitement. As they go through the gate even the staid old ewes

will often kick up their heels and leap with delight at the prospect 

of finding fresh feed. How they enjoy being led onto new ground. 

     Now as we turn to the human aspect of this theme we will 

be astonished at some of the parallels. As mentioned earlier it 

is no mere whim on God's part to call us sheep. Our behavior

patterns and life habits are so much like that of sheep it is well 

nigh embarrassing.

     First of all Scripture points out that most of us are a

stiff-necked and stubborn lot. We prefer to follow our own

fancies and turn to our own ways. "All we like sheep have gone

astray; we have turned every one to his own way" (Isaiah 53:6).

And this we do deliberately, repeatedly even to our own

disadvantage. here is something almost terrifying about the

destructive self-determination of a human being. It is inexorably

interlocked with personal pride and self-assertion. We insist we

know what is best for us even though the disastrous results may

be self-evident.

     Just as sheep will blindly, habitually, stupidly follow one

another along the same little trails until they become ruts that

erode into gigantic gullies, so we humans cling to the same

habits that we have seen ruin other lives. Turning to "my own

way" simply means doing what I want. It implies that I feel free

to assert my own wishes and carry out my own ideas. And this 

I do in spite of every warning.

     We read in Proverbs 14:12 and 16:25, "There is a way which

seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of

death."

     In contrast to which Christ the Good Shepherd comes gently

and says, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh

unto the Father, but by me" (John 14:6). "I am come that they

might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly"

(John 10:10).

     The difficult point is that most of us don't want to come.

We don't want to follow. We don't want to be led in the paths of

righteousness. Somehow it goes against our grain. We actually

prefer to turn to our own way even though it may take us straight

into trouble.

     The stubborn, self-willed, proud, self-sufficient sheep that

persists in pursuing its old paths and grazing on its old

polluted ground will end up a bag of bones on ruined land. 

The world we live in is full of such folk. Broken homes, broken

hearts, derelict lives and twisted personalities remind us

everywhere of men and women who have gone their own way. 

We have a sick society struggling to survive on beleaguered land. 

The greed and selfishness of mankind leaves behind a legacy of 

ruin and remorse.

     Amid all this chaos and confusion Christ the Good Shepherd

comes and says, "If any man will follow me, let him deny himself

daily and take up his cross and follow me." But many don't want

to do this. We don't want to deny ourselves, give up our right to

make our own decisions - we don't want to follow; we don't want

to be led.

    Of course, most of us, if confronted with this charge, would deny

it. We would assert vehemently that we are "led of the Lord." We

would insist that we would follow wherever He leads. We sing

songs to this effect and give mental assent to the idea. But as

far as actually being led in paths of righteousness is concerned,

precious few of us follow that path.

     Actually this is the pivot point on which a Christian either

"goes on" with God or at which point he "goes back" from

following on. There are many, willful, wayward, indifferent,

self-interested Christians who cannot really be classified as

followers of Christ. There are relatively few diligent disciples

who forsake all to follow the Master.

     Jesus never made light of the cost involved in following

Him. In fact He made it painfully clear that it was a rugged life

of rigid self-denial. It entailed a whole new set of attitudes.

It was not the natural, normal way a person would ordinarily live

and this is what made the price so prohibitive to most people.

     In brief, seven fresh attitudes have to be acquired. They

are the equivalent of progressive forward movements onto new

ground with God. If one follows them they will discover fresh

pasturage; new, abundant life; and increased health, wholesomeness 

and holiness, in their walk with God. Nothing will please Him more 

and most certainly no other activity on our part will or can result 

in as great benefit to other lives around us.

1. Instead of loving myself most I am willing to love Christ best

and others more than myself.

     Now love in a scriptural sense is not a soft, sentimental

emotion. It is a deliberate act of my will. It means that I am

willing to lay down my life, lay myself out, put myself out on

behalf of another. This is precisely what God did for us in

Christ. "Hereby perceive [understand] we the love of God, because

he laid down his life for us" (I John 3:16).          

     The moment I deliberately do something definite either for

God or others that costs me something, I am expressing love. Love

is "self-lessness" or "self-sacrifice" in contradistinction to

"selfishness." Most of us know little of living like this or

being "led" in this right way. But once a person discovers the

delight of doing something for others, he has started through the

gate being led into one of God's green pastures.

2. Instead of being one of the crowd I am willing to be singled

out, set apart from the gang.

     Most of us, like sheep, are pretty gregarious. We want to

belong. We don't want to be different in a deep, distinctive way,

though we may wish to be different in minor details that appeal

to our selfish egos.

     But Christ pointed out that only a few would find His way

acceptable. And to be marked as one of His would mean a certain

amount of criticism and sarcasm from a cynical society. Many 

of us don't want this. Just as He was a man of sorrows and

acquainted with grief, so we may be. Instead of adding to the

sorrows and sadness of society we may be called on to help bear

some of the burdens of others, to enter into the suffering of others. 

Are we ready to do this? 

3. Instead of insisting on my rights I am willing to forego them

in favor of others.

     Basically this what the Master meant by denying one's self.

It is not easy, nor normal, nor natural to do this. Even in the

loving atmosphere of the home, self-assertion is pretty evident

and the powerful exercise of individual rights is always apparent.

     But the person who is willing to pocket his pride, to take a

back seat, to play second fiddle without a feeling of being

abused or put upon has gone a long way onto new ground with God.

There is a tremendous emancipation from "self" in this attitude.

One is set free from the shackles of personal pride. It's pretty

hard to hurt such a person. He who has no sense of self-importance 

cannot be offended or deflated. Somehow such people enjoy a 

wholesome outlook of carefree abandon that makes their Christian 

lives contagious with contentment and gaiety.

4. Instead of being "boss" I am willing to be at the bottom of

the heap. Or to use sheep terminology, instead of being "Top Ram"

I'm willing to be a "tailender."

     When the desire for self-assertion, self-aggrandizement,

self-pleasing gives way to the desire for simply pleasing God and

others, much of the fret and strain is drained away from daily

living.

     A hallmark of the serene soul is the absence of "drive," at

least, "drive" for self-determination. The person who is prepared

to put his personal life and personal affairs in the Master's

hands for His management and direction has found the place of

rest in fresh fields each day. These are the ones who find time

and energy to please others.

5. Instead of finding fault with life and always asking "Why?" I

an willing to accept every circumstance of life in an attitude of

gratitude.

     Human beings, being what they are, somehow feel entitled to

question the reasons for everything that happens to them. In many

instances life itself becomes a continuous criticism and dissection 

of one's circumstances and acquaintances. We look for someone 

or something on which to pin the blame for our misfortunes. 

We are often quick to forget our blessings, slow to forget our 

misfortunes.

     But if one really believes his affairs are in God's hands,

every event, no matter whether joyous or tragic, will be taken as

part of God's plan. To know beyond doubt that He does all for our

welfare is to be led into a wide area of peace and quietness and

strength for every situation.

6. Instead of exercising and asserting my will, I learn to

cooperate with His wishes and comply with His will.

     It must noted that all the steps outlined here involve the

will. The saints from earliest times have repeatedly pointed out

that nine-tenths of religion, of Christianity, of becoming a true

follower, a dedicated disciple, lies in the will.

     When a man or woman allows his will to be crossed out,

cancelling the great "I" in their decisions, then indeed the

Cross has been applied to that life. This is the meaning of

taking up one's cross daily - to go to one's own death - no

longer my will in the matter but His will be done.

     

7. Instead of choosing my own way I am willing to choose to

follow in Christ's way; simply to do what He asks me to do. 

     This basically is simple, straightforward obedience. It

means I just do what He asks me to do. I go where He invites me

to go. I say what He instructs me to say. I act and re-act in the

manner He maintains is in my own best interest as well as for His

reputation (if I'm His follower).

     Most of us possess a formidable amount of factual

information on what the Master expects of us. Precious few have

either the will, intention or determination to act on it and

comply with His instructions. But the person who decides to do

what God asks him has moved onto fresh ground which will do both

him and others a world of good. Besides, it will please the Good

Shepherd no end.

     God wants us all to move on with Him. He wants us to walk

with Him. He wants it not only for our welfare but for the benefit 

of others as well as His own dear reputation.

     Perhaps there are those who think He expects too much of us.

Maybe they feel the demands are too drastic. Some may even

consider His call impossible to carry out.

     It would be if we had to depend on self-determination, or

self-discipline to succeed. But if we are in earnest about

wanting to do His will, and to be led, He makes this possible by

His own gracious Spirit who is given to those who obey (Acts

5:32). For it is He who works in us both will and to do of His

good pleasure (Philippians 2:13). 

                              ...............

To be continued

P.S.

TALKING  ABOUT  RIGHTEOUSNESS----- WE  AS TRUE  CHRISTIANS  

MUST  BE  WILLING  TO  FOLLOW  THE  RIGHTEOUSNESS  OF  GOD;  

THE  FATHER AND JESUS   COME TO LIVE IN US; THERE NATURE IS IN US; 

THEIR MIND IS IN US. PAUL SAID LET THIS MIND BE IN YOU THAT WAS 

IN CHRIST JESUS [PHIL 2: 5].

DO  YOU KNOW A BIBLE DEFINITION OF "RIGHTEOUSNESS" ?

WELL  NOT  MANY  DO,  SO  HERE  IT  IS---- PSALM 119: 172 ---- 

MARK  IT  IN  YOUR BIBLE;  IT'S  BEEN  THERE  FOR  THOUSANDS  

OF  YEARS!!!

LOVING  GOD;  SERVIN G  HIS  RIGHTEOUSNESS  IS  WILLING  TO  

OBEY  HIS COMMANDMENT---- EXODUS  20---- AND  THAT  INCLUDES  

THE  4TH  ONE!

DO  YOU  LOVE  THE  4TH  COMMANDMENT  AS  MUCH  AS  THE  

OTHER  9  COMMANDMENTS?

JESUS  HE  SAID  OBEYED  GOD'S  COMMANDMENTS!  HE  OBSERVED  

THEM  ALL; HE  DID  NOT  SIN,  SO  IT  IS  WRITTEN.  AND  JESUS  

SHOWS  YOU  IN  THE  GOSPELS HOW  TO  OBEY  THE  WEEKLY  

SABBATH  DAY!

YES,  IT  IS  JUST  THAT  SIMPLE,  IF  YOU  BECOME  AS  A  LITTLE  

CHILD IN  READING  THE  BIBLE---- JESUS  SAID  ONLY  HAVING  THE  

MIND  OF  A  CHILD WOULD  GET  YOU  INTO  THE  KINGDOM  OF  GOD.

KEITH HUNT