One of the outstanding traits of any good shepherd is that he properly “leads” his flock.
Psalm 107 is amazing. It gives one scenario after another and shows God meeting the needs of people.
Including the lost, the scattered, the disoriented!
Read it with me, Psalm 107:3-6 … “And He gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south. They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in. Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them. Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses.”
Wow!
Then today’s Text, Psalm 107:7 … “And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation.”
He took them from the vast desert (wilderness) … to the palatial City!
Thus, He “led” them.
That evokes memories of Psalm 23, “He leadeth me,” says the little lamb of His great Shepherd.
But specifically … “He led them forth by the RIGHT way.” Psalm 107:7
I’ll promise you this … He will never lead you the “wrong” way!
He may lead you His way, not your way.
And He may lead you an indirect way, not the most “logical” route.
Exodus 13:17-18 provides an example of such circuitous leading … “And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, ALTHOUGH THAT WAS NEAR; for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt: but GOD LED THE PEOPLE ABOUT (IN CIRCLES), through the way of the wilderness of the Red sea: and the children of Israel went up harnessed (arrayed for battle) out of the land of Egypt.”
But “lead you,” He will!
Yes, lead you the “right way!”
Psalm 23 once again … “He leadeth me IN THE PATHS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS!”
That’s the “right way,” for sure!
And Oh, how we need to “follow” His leading.
To “watch” for any hint of the direction He’s headed!
To be this sensitive, attentive … “I (the Lord my Shepherd) will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide (lead) thee with mine EYE.” Psalm 32:8, guiding us with His very look, His slightest glance!
Watch His Eye, then!
His “Hand” too! “Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the HAND of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the HAND of her mistress; so our eyes wait (for leadership, guidance, instruction) upon the LORD our God.” Psalm 123:2
Watch His Hand, too!
A sweet Line from Song of Solomon … “Tell me, O thou whom my soul loveth, where thou feedest, where thou makest thy flock to rest at noon,” a prayer for leadership.
Then the immediate answer … “Go thy way forth by the footsteps of the flock, and feed.” That’s leadership! (The quotes here are from the Song of Solomon 2:7-8.)
Yes, yes, yes … “And he led them forth by the right way.”
“Lord, so lead us,” we pray! (Even as a nation, lead us the right way! In our voting too!)
This very thought expressed negatively … “And lead us not into temptation.” Matthew 6:13!
Hallelujah for our Shepherd!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
What a record He has, of proper leadership! Even from antiquity … “And he led them forth by the right way.”
Over 2,000,000 people, for a period of 40 years!
“Led, the right way!”
Amen!
.