“He refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right path for His name sake.”
I am unsure if it is just me or the human condition, but I find myself vacillating between two schools of thought regarding larger decisions. One part of me claims that I just want clarity. I say that I want the Lord to simply reveal what He wants me to do. If I have clarity as to His will, I’ll be good. However, the latter school of thought is that I really hate being told what to do. So much so that I avoid group exercise classes… I burpee on my own terms (which is never). Therefore, in the times when I have God’s clarity for decisions in my life, that doesn’t always mean that my desire to do what I want to do just goes away.
So when we look at the verse this week, our Shepherd promises to refresh our souls and guide us on the right path. Next week, we will look at verse four which shows us that this right path will lead us through the darkest valley. The promise to refresh our souls does not promise to refresh our pocketbooks, our health or our relationships. No matter what camp you may fall in regards to wanting clarity vs. not wanting to be told what to do, the appeal of this right path is apparent through Psalm 23. While our human nature is to pick the path that is most appealing or rewarding, walking the right path guarantees us ultimate security in His presence despite circumstances. We have seen over the last few weeks that in Christ we lack nothing, we find rest, and we are directed on a path that brings fulfillment in His presence.
User Update:
For how little time our family spends in the woods, during our devotional time they sure talked a big game about hiking, paths, going the right way, etc. Our oldest shared the story of when he ran away from the park at age two. He doesn’t remember it, but the event was so traumatic for us, and has been brought up so much as a cautionary tale to the others, that he can recite the story by heart. He ended with “you’re never actually lost from God.” As we all learned with Jonah, our son is spot on. Walking in step with the Lord on the right path is where we can most fully experience the Lord’s goodness for us on Earth. Yet, no matter where are, He is never far away. The good news is that the path to a full life in Him is always available to us because of the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.
Anne
pictured above: Rector children walking a favorite neighborhood path- photo creds to my mom!
You have amazing insight into yourself and into life as we know it and into the gospel path we choose to follow. Betty