I SHALL NOT WANT FOR GUIDANCE

He leads me in the paths of righteousness… – Psalm 23:3b

Once the sheep is nourished, rested, and refreshed, it can get back on track; hence the need for guidance and direction. The Shepherd directs our paths. He addresses our need for guidance, direction, and establishment of positive life principles and patterns. He leads us in the right paths. Even King David, as high and lofty as he was, often prayed for divine guidance: “Shew me Your ways, O LORD; teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth, and teach me: for You are the God of my salvation; on You do I wait all the day” (Ps.25:4-5).

Life is like an unmarked road with blind turns, junctions, and crossings. Each of us passes along this road, but once; hence, we need the Shepherd’s leadership and guidance to make the right CHOICES and DECISIONS, and not to go astray. Human beings are prone to mistakes. It is human to err. For many, turns in life often become down-turns, junctions of confusion, and crossings of frustrations.

If Bible personalities such as Adam, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Samuel, Elijah, and Saul, could hear, know, recognise, and respond to the Shepherd’s Voice, we who are regenerated by God’s Holy Spirit can do even better. We can hear His Voice. We can know His Mind. We can understand His Will. The Lord admonishes: “Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and you shall find rest for your souls” (Jer.6:16a).

The Lord assures us: “And your ears will hear a word behind you, saying, This is the way, walk in it, when you turn to the right hand, and when you turn to the left” (Is.30:21). It is in listening to the Shepherd’s Voice and obeying His Word that we can truly live (Is.55:3; Mt.4:4). To be led by the Spirit of God is a covenant-privilege of His children. Though we live in an age of voices (1Cor.14:10), with consecration and concentration, you can discern your Shepherd’s Voice from those of strangers, and be guided in the right paths (Jh.10:2-5,27).