Paths of Righteousness

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.” Psalm 23:1-3

“This is the right path, a trusted path, a good path, known by the shepherd and perhaps even by the sheep.” - Lt. Colonel Dan Jennings

The reality for the children of God is that no place that He leads us, He will not have the strength to keep us there. He is familiar with our shortcomings, our fears, our desires, and our needs. And yet, He leads us in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. That path often is not the easy path, the pretty path, or the wanted path — but it is the good, necessary, and righteous path. It is the place He takes us to show us more of Himself. It is the path my Savior walked to buy back my soul, and to allow me to taste joy unspeakable and FULL of glory (1 Peter 1:8).

1 Peter 2:21-25 says, “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.”

In addition, Psalm 23:4 says, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”

Romans 8:28 is also a well-known verse that many Christians reference. It says, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

1 Peter 3:13 also says, “And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?” It goes on to say that those who suffer for righteousness’ sake are happy. They have already counted the cost, they count it all joy, and they rejoice that they are counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.

When we are tempted to question why God would allow us to face an uncomfortably hard season or suffering of any kind, we can be reminded of the truth in John 16:33 that says, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

As God’s children, we have the ability to live joyfully and expectantly knowing that our current sufferings are not worthy to be compared with the glory that God seeks to reveal IN us (Romans 8:18). These sufferings may cause us to question what God is doing, but they should not cause us to question if He is doing anything at all. Rather, I believe our sufferings are evidence that He really is working — in the unknown and unseen places (1 Peter 5:10). We must humbly and prayerfully submit to His will, because we know that His way is perfect and His promises are proven true (Psalm 18:30).

I love the quote by Georgia Brown (Simpson) that says, “He wasn’t keeping us from anything. He was saving us for something.” This is the hope and joy we have as children of God. He withholds no good thing. His ways are higher because He sees what we cannot see and knows what we do not know, and plans accordingly.

The late Timothy Keller once stated, “Jesus may ask of you far more than you planned to give, but He can give to you infinitely more than you dared ask or think.” I am so thankful that my Savior walks alongside me, as I walk the path of righteousness. He is faithful, especially when He does not give me what I think I want, but rather, what He knows I truly need. He is my Shepherd and I shall not want.

As a Christian, no amount of wandering could remove me from my Shepherd’s hands. He is in constant pursuit of His children, and I am so thankful that I am one of them.

You can be one of them as well! Allow me to encourage you to read, study, and live in the Bible.

Prayer:

Even though the fulfillment of the promise, we cannot see,

We will trust that through this valley of darkness,

You, Lord, are working it all out for our good.

You are with us, and it is the work You are doing in us, that is preparing us for more.