He Goes Before Us

     Before a shepherd took his sheep to the mountain top for the summer and before he led them through the valley, he would prepare the way. He would make several scouting trips. He would chart out the best path, look out for any prey, search for the best streams and pastures, and clear the ground of poisonous weeds and plants. The shepherd was totally trustworthy because he had cleared the way and knew the chosen path. He wasn’t surprised by the dangers and the enemies that surrounded them. He knew what was present and he knew how to defend his sheep. He knew how to walk the sheep through the valley and how to feed them on the mountain top. He was just as much in control and watching over his sheep from the mountain top as he was in the valley.
     It reminds me of being a parent. Am I more of a parent when my child is walking through a valley or when they are happy on the mountain top? Do I care and protect them more when they are walking through the valley? Absolutely not! My role and my responsibilities do not change with the circumstances and neither does our Good Shepherd's. He takes care of us as much on the mountain top as He does in the valley. He provides everything we need and does so right in front of our enemy, Satan. Jesus is well aware that the devil is roaming around trying to find a way to devour us. However, our Great Shepherd has gone before us and planned out our journey. He has determined the path, removed the poisonous foliage in our lives, and has laid out for us blessings; all right in front of our enemy that He alone has conquered.
     Can you trust your Shepherd no matter where He leads: whether you are going through the valley or hanging out on the mountain top? Always remember that it is our circumstances that change and it is never the character of our Shepherd!

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will not fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and staff, they comfort me. He prepares a table before me in the presence of my enemies.

Psalm 23:1-4

Information taken from the book “A shepherd Looks at Psalm 23” by Phillip Keller