| The Christian Life | May 1947 |
Paths of Righteousness
“He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness or his name’s sake.”—Psalm 23:3
IN THAT rugged country where the shepherd by David tended his father’s sheep it was doubtless essential in leading the flock from one feeding ground to another to follow paths which had been previously used or determined upon. These might lead through mountain passes, or ravines, or over the barren wilderness of the desert. It was the shepherd’s business to he acquainted with these paths, to know the safe from the unsafe ones, particularly to know where the paths led. It was essential to the well-being of the sheep to follow the leading of the shepherd, whether to new pastures or to a place of safety for the night.
How beautifully this illustrates our dependence upon the Lord, our “Good Shepherd,” for surely as new creatures we are surrounded by a wilderness beset with pitfalls and dangers of many kinds. There is a pathway of sure progress out of this wilderness, but we cannot walk in it except as, we follow the leadership of the Good Shepherd. It is not an easy matter, however, to follow the Good Shepherd, for, the “paths of righteousness” which he chooses for us are seldom wide and smooth; instead, they are narrow, rugged, and uphill. It is possible to walk in these ways only if we keep our eyes fixed upon the Good Shepherd and depend upon him to furnish us with strength in our every time of need.
The Psalmist’s use of the term “paths” in the plural suggests divine leading in all the individual ways of our lives. The entire life course of a Christian is spoken of by Jesus as a “way,” and he described it as a “narrow way. We walk in this narrow way from the time we give ourselves to the Lord until we finish our earthly course in death. All of the Lord’s people—his sheep of this Gospel fold—are walking in the same narrow way but within its boundaries the Lord leads his individual sheep from one experience to another, overruling them all for their eternal good.
While the Good Shepherd may be permitting some of his sheep to traverse the stony paths of affliction, others may be finding the way comparatively smooth. But whether the way is smooth or rough, it is a path of righteousness—literally a “right way”—and, if we are faithful in following the Lord’s loadings, we will eventually enter into “glory, honor, and immortality.” But no matter how difficult the way may be, or at times how pleasant, all of our experiences go to make up our walk in the “narrow way.”
“Strait” Is the Gate
“Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it,” said the Good Shepherd. (Matt. 7:14) The “gate” is evidently the entrance into the “narrow way,” and Jesus said this entrance is “strait.” (Greek, “narrow,” hedged about by obstacles. Dr, Strong) It is only by entering this “gate” into the “narrow way” that we become the Lord’s sheep. It is the gate of full consecration to do the Lord’s will, to follow the voice of the Good Shepherd whithersoever he may lead.
However, our own consecration, the surrender of our wills to the divine will, does not in itself put us in the narrow way, for we would not be acceptable to the Lord in our own righteousness, so in order for our consecration to be acceptable, the merit of Christ’s righteousness must be applied as a covering for our imperfections. It is this application of the blood that makes it possible for us as n embers of the fallen race to walk worthily before God in paths of righteousness—the “narrow way.” It is the assurance that the merit of Christ will be available to cover our imperfections that helps to give us courage to enter the narrow way through the “strait,” difficult “gate” of consecration.
Surely there are many obstacles which tend to bar the entrance to the narrow way. Fear, for example, often stands in the way. We are fearful of failure, fearful to trust our every interest in the hands of the Good Shepherd; we are fearful of the opinion of friends, relatives, or of the world. To surrender our wills to the doing of God’s will frequently also means running counter to the desires of our dearest, friends, and this is no small barrier to surmount in order to enter in through the “strait” gate into the narrow way.
That which enables us to hurdle all these barriers is our faith in the promises of God to help us in every time of need. Our faith lays hold upon his promises, and trusting where we cannot see or trace, we surrender our all. Then by painstaking care we keep our ears attuned to the voice of the Good Shepherd, that where he leads us we may follow, follow safely every day. Sometimes, as the poet suggests, the Good Shepherd leads us through scenes of “deepest gloom,” and at other times he may lead us “where Eden’s bowers bloom”; but at all times our faith can grasp the assurance that regardless of the way he leads it is always in “paths of righteousness”—that is, paths which are right and just, and from the divine standpoint, altogether lovely.
Must Follow Faithfully
Our responsibility as sheep is to follow the leadings of the Good Shepherd else we may discover that we are walking in paths that are not right. The Psalmist suggests that one great danger in this connection is that of following the “works of men.” He writes, “Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer.” (Psalm 17:4) The thought here seems to be that if we follow the “works of men” we may be led into the paths of the destroyer, and that the only safeguard against this unwise to be guided by the words which come from the lips of the Good Shepherd.
And how true this is! Human wisdom and advice are not reliable. The prophet wrote that “‘there is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” (Prov. 14:12) How can we be sure that we are following the voice of the Good Shepherd, and not being misled by mere human wisdom. The depth and genuineness of our consecration has much to do with this. Sometimes the Lord’s way is difficult, and if we are not wholly surrendered to his will, an easier way suggested by human wisdom might appeal to us and we would reason ourselves into believing that it was the right way.
Another safeguard against being misled is prayer. David prayed, “Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not.” (Psalm 17:5) Ah yes, we will need the Lord’s strength to hold us up, otherwise we may become weary, and, not watching our steps carefully, will “slip” and possibly stumble and fall. We not only should pray for strength to endure the hazardous journey of the narrow way, but we should look to the Lord for wisdom to guide our steps aright. David expressed this thought beautifully, saying, “Sheer me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths.”—Psalm 25:4
How should we expect the Lord to teach us his ways? Again the Psalmist gives us the proper thought when, in continuing his prayer, he said, “Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day:” (Psalm 25:5) How clearly does the Psalmist thus indicate that the Lord, the Good Shepherd, leads us through the medium of his truth. After all, the “‘paths of righteousness” are not literal paths, but instead the paths of truth—the “path of the just,” which as a shining light “shineth more and more unto the perfect day.”—Proverbs 4:18
A similar thought is expressed in Psalm 119:105 where David speaks of the Word of the Lord as being a lamp or candle unto our feet, and a light to our path, And it is very important to remember that it is through his Word that the Good Shepherd leads us, else we will find ourselves being led by whims and wishes and fancies, either of our own or of others. One of the most difficult lessons for the Lord’s sheep to learn is that they are not to be led by their own wishes and preferences. To keep self-will from entering into decisions is probably one of the severest tests of a fully consecrated life.
Having entered the narrow way, the “paths of righteousness,” by making a covenant with the Lord to do his will, we can remain in the right paths only by keeping that covenant. The Good Shepherd is of course merciful. He knows our weaknesses. As David wrote, “All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth”; that is, he is merciful to those who are walking in the paths of righteousness, But this is true only if our hearts are perfect toward him and we do the very best we can to follow the voice of the Good Shepherd, for the Psalmist explains that the Lord’s paths are “mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.”—Psalm 25:10
“For His Name’s Sake”
The Good Shepherd leads his flock in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. All the works of God will ultimately redound to the glory of his great name. It is well to keep this in mind, for it will help us to realize that our chief concern in all that we do as co-laborers with the Lord should be for the glory of his name. We have a wonderful illustration of this in the case of Moses when he prayed for the salvation of Israel in order that God’s name might not be brought into reproach before the Egyptians.
The Israelites were a rebellious people, and after they had been in the wilderness for some time, God suggested to Moses that he destroy the nation entirely and start a new nation with Moses as its head. To one less devoted to God than Moses this idea would doubtless have appealed, but this great leader of Israel was more concerned about the glory of God’s name than with his own advancement and advantage.
Moses had led the Israelites into the wilderness at the behest of the Lord, and by means of the Lord’s guidance and overruling providence. Mighty miracles had been wrought in Egypt to induce Pharaoh to let the Israelites leave the country. No doubt the Egyptians thought, and probably many of theirs said, that the Israelites would perish in the wilderness. If God destroyed them, these Egyptians wouldn’t understand, and would conclude that the God of Israel lacked ability to care for his people. Moses just couldn’t think of a situation like this developing, a situation which would disgrace the name of his God, so he offered his own life as a substitute for the nation in order that God’s name might not be brought into reproach.
In this we have a beautiful representation of full devotion to God, a devotion that places the glory of God’s name ahead of one’s own advantage. It is only such devotion that will assure our remaining in the paths of righteousness. How fitting, then, is our text, “He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” It is eminently proper that the Good Shepherd should lead us in the right way for this reason. When we get the proper viewpoint we will realize that the well-being of all intelligent creatures throughout the universe depends upon a proper recognition of the Creator’s sovereign right to be the Ruler of their lives, and that all creation properly should give glory to his name.
So it is that every feature of God’s great plan of the ages is designed to give him glory, and that is particularly true concerting the arrangements of the “narrow way.” Those who are being led in this way, in the “paths of righteousness,” are being prepared not only to share his glory, but also to reflect his glory throughout all the earth. It will be through the instrumentality of Christ and the church that the “glory of God” will be caused to fill the whole earth as “the waters cover the sea.” It is indeed for his name’s sake, then, that the “little flock” of this age are being led in paths of righteousness by the Good Shepherd, The whole objective of their thus being led is in order that through them the glory of God will become the better known to all mankind, yes, even to angels.
God’s name becomes increasingly glorified in our own hearts as from day to day we come to know him better through the wonderful way the Good Shepherd is leading us. We experience divine help to keep us from falling. Divine wisdom, the wisdom of his Word, points out the right way for us, serving as a lantern to our feet. His love overshadows us, and we sense the tenderness of his affectionate care in our every time of need. We rejoice too in his mercy. His glory is particularly reflected by his mercy, and with the Psalmist we pray, “For thy name’s sake, O Lord, pardon mine iniquity; for it is great.”—Psalm 25:11
The marvelous leading of the Good Shepherd thus enhances our appreciation of God’s glory, and we come to know him better and are determined to serve him more faithfully, more wholeheartedly, and to follow him more closely as he leads us in the “paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” To follow the Good Shepherd to the end of the “narrow way” means that we will follow him even unto death. This, in fact, is the ultimate of the illustration; and it is a viewpoint which we do well to consider, for it is only as we ponder it well and are prepared to follow all the way that we may hope to reap the full benefit of the Shepherd’s care.
The shepherds of Israel were usually zealous in caring for their sheep with respect to all of their needs. They protected them from danger; led them into green pastures and beside still waters. They nursed them when bruised and sick. But the final purpose of this was that when it suited the shepherd he would lead his sheep to the slaughter. It is even so with us in following the Good Shepherd, for the destination of those whom he leads in the paths of righteousness is death.
“Take up your cross and follow me,” said the Master. To take up one’s cross and carry it is a symbol of walking in the road to death, and this is just what it means to follow Jesus. He is our Good Shepherd, but previously he walked in the very path in which he is now leading us. He was “brought as a lamb to the slaughter,” and we are now walking in his steps. Not only do we remain in the “narrow way” by hearkening unto his voice, but we need also to trace his steps and walk in them.
We should not expect, then, that the paths of righteousness are always paths of pleasantness. True, we have the joy of the Lord while walking in this “narrow way”—the joys of faith—but often the way is difficult, for from start to finish it is a way of sacrifice—sacrifice so complete that it ends in death. Jesus was afflicted and suffered, and he finally died upon the cross. We can’t expect that the narrow way will be made easy for us. But we can endure all things if by faith we keep the thought ever before us that the way we are being led in the “paths of righteousness” is “for his name’s sake.
“If We Suffer With Him”
The glory of God’s name is directly involved with the manner in which the Good Shepherd is leading us. Paul wrote to Timothy: “It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we, shall also live with him.” (II Tim. 2:11) “A faithful saying”—a promise of God upon which we can depend. God has pledged the honor of his name; and his faithfulness, his integrity, guarantees that if we walk in the narrow way of sacrifice faithfully all the way into death, we shall, in the first resurrection, live and reign with Christ. “For his name’s sake,” then, the Lord leads us in the “paths of righteousness.”
And when the Good Shepherd has led all of his “little flock” over the “paths, of righteousness,” and each one has reached the end of the way—faithful even unto death—then will be revealed the fullness of God’s glory. This little flock of faithful followers will be raised to glory, honor, and immortality, to live and reign with Christ a thousand years. To these Jesus said, “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” (Luke 12:32) Truly, we have nothing to fear. God’s name is at stake for he has promised us the kingdom if we are faithful. This is one of his “faithful sayings,” one of his exceeding great and precious promises, which he has caused to be repeated over and over again in the Scriptures in varying forms.
For his name’s sake the Lord will lead us in the right way, not only that we may praise his name now, but in order that when all of the Gospel age flock have reached Mount Zion with the “Lamb,” and together with him are ruling the nations, through them the glory of Jehovah’s name will be caused to fill the earth as the waters cover the sea. Not only will God’s glory thus be manifested to the world through the church, but to the angelic hosts as well; for the manner in which God is dealing with us is being made a spectacle to both men and angels.
Later on in the outworking of the divine plan, another “way” will be opened up for the Lord’s sheep. That will be the “Way of holiness.” (Isaiah 35:8) It will not be for the Lord’s sheep of this age, but for those “other sheep” mentioned by the Master in his parable, “which are not of this fold.” (John 10:16) These are the sheep in the parable of the “Sheep and Goats.” The “highway” in which they till be led will not be one of sacrifice leading to death. The end of that way will be perfection of human life, attained by the process of “restitution.” To these the Good Shepherd at the close of the next age will say, “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.”—Matt. 25:34
Those who do not qualify to inherit the restored dominion of earth will be cut off in the second death. Thus the earth will be purified from all elements of opposition to God and to the recognition of his sovereign will. His glory will be apparent everywhere, being made manifest by the righteous ways in which he is now leading us through sacrificial death into immortal life; and by the manner in which, through the glorified Christ, Head and Body, the whole world of mankind will be restored to at-one-ment with the Creator. With prospects of such glory, let us endeavor more earnestly than ever to follow the Good Shepherd faithfully, even unto death!