Supreme Shepherd

By: Adam McClendon

www.newlineministries.com

Psalm 23:3b: He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

What is God’s goal in shepherding his sheep down the right path?  According to the last part of Psalm 23:6, it’s for the glory of his name.

God’s ultimate goal is not the comfort of our lives but the glory of his name proclaimed in our lives and to the nations, so that others might come to worship him rightly and experience the contentment and joy that comes from being in a right relationship with him.

The reason so many of us live life in constant tension is because we live life from a false center.  All too often, our goal is not “for his name’s sake” but for “my name’s sake”.  Disagree?

Then… 

* Why do our churches have to offer plaques and memorials for everything to get donations?  I would love to walk into a church one day and see a plaque that says, “Donated in memory of Jesus.  Because He’s awesome and I’d have nothing without him anyway.”

* Why do we spend considerably more time wondering what other people think about us, rather than, wondering what God thinks about us?  For example, when we are fixing our hair in the morning or choosing our outfits for the day, are we seeking to honor Christ in those moments or wondering what people will think of us when they see us and worrying too much about how we will look in front of others? What if our question in the most basic function in life was “God, what do you want from me in this situation?”  What if our genuine deepest desire was to glorify his name through our lives each day by simply living in obedience to his leadership?

We were born with a factory setting focused on self and this world.  As a result, a reprogramming of the mind is required to truly get to the place where we understand that our path in this life is to be lived for “his name’s sake” alone.  His glory is to be the central focus and motivator in every venue in life.

Here are a few other verses for us:

Psalm 25:11: For the sake of your name, O Lord, forgive my iniquity, though it is great.

Psalm 31:3–5: ³ Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me.  ⁴ Free me from the trap that is set for me, for you are my refuge.  ⁵ Into your hands I commit my spirit; redeem me, O Lord, the God of truth.

Psalm 79:9–10: ⁹ Help us, O God our Savior, for the glory of your name; deliver us and forgive our sins for your name’s sake.  ¹⁰ Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?”  Before our eyes, make known among the nations that you avenge the outpoured blood of your servants.

Psalm 106:8: Yet he saved them for his name’s sake, to make his mighty power known.

Psalm 143:11: For your name’s sake, O Lord, preserve my life; in your righteousness, bring me out of trouble.

When we understand that our lives are a means through which God can manifest his glory to the nations, it changes everything.  The Supreme Shepherd is working in our lives for “his name’s sake.”  The path down which God is Shepherding us is a purpose that far exceeds any one of us individually.  We are part of a divine collage.

When we understand that our lives are guided for “his name’s sake,” we understand that we are part of something much bigger than ourselves.

Such a perspective should challenge and change us in dramatic ways.

www.newlineministries.com