The big idea in today’s sentence from Psalm 23 focuses on one of the most important truths in the Bible - the theme of righteousness. “He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake” (verse 3). Before we walk out onto the mountain trails, it would be helpful to spend some time in the shepherd’s hut pondering this great Bible truth.
Paul urged Timothy to “Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart” (2 Timothy 2:22). Paul says that there are certain qualities that we ought to aim for in the Christian life and pursue relentlessly. And one of them is righteousness.
If we scan the Bible’s teaching on this subject we learn at least two key truths:
➡️ Firstly, righteousness is a work of God that takes place in our hearts.
And so Paul writes,
“God made him who knew no sin also be sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21). Paul is speaking of a right relationship with God. He declares us righteous through faith in Jesus and his death on the cross for our sins.
However, this is only the beginning of the Lord’s work in our lives. Paul will later write: “But you, man of God, flees all this and pursue righteousness…” (1 Timothy 6:11). Here he speaks of the purity of our character and conduct which pleases God. The pursuit of righteousness becomes a guiding light in our lives.
We are made right with God to live right before him.
➡️ Secondly, we should recognise that biblical righteousness is more than a private and personal matter. Jesus said so in his famous “Sermon on the Mount”:
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they will be filled” (Matthew 5:6).
These words build on the law and prophets of the Old Testament with the emphasis on liberation from oppression, the promotion of civil rights, justice in the law courts, integrity in business dealings and honour in the home and family. Christians ought to hunger for righteousness in these areas as something which pleases a righteous God.
As we leave the shepherd’s hut with this underpinning of biblical truth we are more equipped to walk the path of righteousness guided by the Lord.
Jesus spoke of two roads or paths that we can walk through life. There is the broad road and the narrow road. The broad road leads to destruction, but the narrow path leads to life (Matthew 7:13-14). As God’s people, led by our great Shepherd, we walk the narrow way of righteousness. Please understand that this is not the path of the narrow-minded. Rather we travel on the narrow road because we walk within the parameters of God’s will. We rely on the strength which he gives to his people.
“He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.”
We honour our great Shepherd if we seek to live godly lives, walking on the narrow way of righteousness. And if we are led and guided by him we will know something of his care in our lives.
“The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn shining ever brighter till the full light of day” (Proverbs 4:18).
(picture - Neist Point, Isle of Skye)
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