Led!

Led!

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Psalms 23:3 KJV

Quick foundation: wonder why today's passage starts with a reference to God being my shepherd? It is because as sheep, I cannot take care of myself by myself. I can't protect myself from bears, lions or the adverse elements. I need someone to provide these things for me, and God has already made Himself available. He says He is my shepherd, so no matter the quality, quantity or dimensions of the need, God has everything taken care of. 

WHEN and not IF the storms come, there is a refreshing and restoring that is only possible in connection with the Shepherd. If there was no chance of bruising, the prospect of restoring would not hold any value. You appreciate restoring when you have been battered. God promises that even when I am battered, I will not be bettered. Restoration is really appreciated when there has been bruising. As I take stock of my life, I appreciate the seasons of pain, because without them, I won't have known or understood the value of God's dealings. 

It could even be sin that is threatening to harm my soul. I will only be truly safe and sure when it is the Shepherd that is doing the restoration. That is why the other half of this verse is important: He LEADS me. It is so important who is doing the leading and the directing. And He only leads in line with his nature and purpose, which is righteousness. He knows that all other paths lead to death and destruction. 

And because I belong to his sheepfold, his name is at stake. When men relate with me, whose identity is evident and obvious from my life? If I bear His name, do I live by his leading? Do I pay lip service to devotion, whilst pursuing my own personal agenda, contrary to the terms of the sheepfold? If indeed I belong to God's sheepfold, men must see the proof of my ownership in me. I do not forget this: it is His name that I carry, not the other way around. I am the one who needs to live up to the name. God will always play His part, provide all that I need, but I must then live out the value on a daily basis. Do I belong to Him, or do I have competing ownership? His time of favour is here.