Paths of Righteousness

May 16, 2010 – Study on the 23^rd Psalm – continued – He leads me in paths of righteousness

A continuation study of Phillip Keller’s book A Shepherd Looks at Psalms 23

Last week we looked at two lines out of this psalm, He leads me beside still waters and He restores my soul.  We talked of drinking of the good water of the word and how sheep would get water off the dew on the grass in the early morning which reminded us to rise early and drink in the living water of the word of God.

We then looked at He restores my soul.  We talked of how we can become “cast down” and how a sheep would become “cast” and couldn’t get up until the Shepherd righted him.    We talked of things that we can become “cast down” about even as Christians.  Too comfortable in our position, in our lives and before we know it we can fall.

So today we will look at Paths of Righteousness.

Keller points out in the book how sheep are creatures of habit.  They will follow the same trails and hills until they become ruts.  It takes a good Shepherd to manage the sheep.  If they are left to themselves and not managed the fields will become wastelands.  Therefore a good shepherd will keep his flock on the move.  Rotating their grazing areas sometimes weekly.  Again, having a long range plan for his sheep.

So lets look at the human parallel here.  Our behavior patterns and life habits are a lot like a sheep.  Let’s look at this.  We humans can be a “stiff necked” lot, preferring our own way. Isaiah 53:6 says “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way”.  And we will sometimes do this deliberately, repeatedly even to our own disadvantage.  Scary isn’t it??  We also like sheep will follow one another, with bad habits that we know will destroy us until those little trails become gigantic gullies and we can’t get out.  Remember last week and being “cast”.  That is where we find ourselves in our destructive behavior and need the shepherd to get us out.

Proverbs 14:12 says “There is a way which seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death”.

But Jesus says in John 14:6 – I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man comes to the Father except by me. (NIV)

The problem with us as humans is that many times we don’t want to follow.  We are stubborn and self-willed, full of pride and don’t want to be led “in paths of righteousness”.   But the good shepherd comes along and says “If anyone would come after me he must deny himself, take up his cross and follow me” (NIV) Mark 8:34.

So lets look at seven attitudes that we need.  If we do this we will find fresh pastures, new abundant life; and increased health, wholesomeness and holiness in our 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

Am I willing to lay down my life for others?  (See I John 3:16)

2. Instead of being one of the crowd, Am I willing to be singled out, set apart from the gang?

We want to belong, we don’t want to be different.  Jesus was a “man of sorrows and acquainted with grief” Are we willing to be that?

1. Instead of insisting on my rights am I willing to forgo them in favor of others?

We go back to Mark 8:34 in the passage regarding denying ourselves.  It’s not normal, natural or easy for a human being to do this but the person who is willing to be “second fiddle” without feeling abused or “put upon” has gone a long way in his relationship with God.

1. Instead of being “boss” I am willing to be at the bottom of the heap.  Or in sheep terminology, instead of being “Top Ram” I’m willing to be a “tail-ender”.

Keller states “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.

1. Instead of finding fault with life and always asking ”Why?”  I am willing to accept every circumstance of life in an attitude of gratitude. We seem to think it’s our right as humans to question the reasons for everything.  If we’re not careful our life can become one of constant 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 blessing and slow to forget our misfortunes.  But if we really believe our affairs are in God’s hands, every event, no matter whether joyous or tragic will be taken as part of God’s plan.

6    Instead of exercising and asserting my will, I learn to cooperate with His wishes and comply with His will.  Note that all these steps involve the “will”.  When we allow our will to be crossed out, canceling the great I in our decisions then the Cross has been applied to that life.  That’s what is meant by taking up one’s cross daily – to die to self, no longer my will but His 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 is basic straight forward obedience.  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.

How do we do all this?

We could not if it meant our own self determination but if we are earnest in wanting to do his will and are willing to be led  He makes this possible by His spirit which is given to those who obey. For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.

So today, this week, Let the Good Shepherd lead you in Paths of Righteousness and not down your own path.  Let His grace be extended to you so that you in turn may be able to share it with others.