Long before King David became famous, while tending his father’s sheep in the rugged countryside, not far from his family’s home, experience trained him in the skills and characteristics of being a good shepherd.
During those formative years of his most impactful life, he discovered God as his personal Shepherd. This discovery inspired the song of worship that has become a favourite: “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.” Psalm 23:1.
One of the most encouraging themes throughout the Bible is that God is intentional about us discovering Him as our Shepherd and guide through life.
“The Lord says, I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.” Psalm 32:8.
Is this idea not totally astonishing, that the Great Creator of the universe offers Himself as your personal guide and shepherd through life?
As I look back over my 80 years, I have had scores of occasions when my wife and I have had The Almighty’s shepherding guidance.
In order to have the benefit of this exceptional guidance, logic will support the following reasoning:
· I must trust in the ability of God to know the best way forward for my life. “With all your heart you must trust the Lord and not your own judgment. Always let him lead you, and he will clear the road for you to follow.” Proverbs 3:5-6.
· Furthermore, it has been essential to believe that He is interested enough in my destiny to be willing to communicate His will with me.
· It has also been essential to embrace the notion that God is able to communicate His advice and is capable of helping me find the best way forward for my life.
· Early on in my life I realised that this privilege of having the Almighty as my personal Guide was not because I had earned His amazing favour. I discovered that He desired to help me, simply because He chose, out of His amazing grace to love me, in spite of my own failures and ways I disappointed Him.
In order to experience God’s shepherding care and guidance, it is essential to live a life, continually expecting His guidance to become clear.
He does this in many ways, but primarily through reading the Scriptures. “Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.” Psalm 119:105.
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