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

Open Heart

By Joanna K. Harris (excerpted from Seeing God Through The Storm)

Joanna Harris is an author and blogger with a tremendous passion for God.  You can contact Joanna here.  For more on Joanna and her ministry, check out her website here.  There you can also find links to her other blogs.

  

         Have you ever received advice or unwanted counsel from someone who hasn’t experienced the kind of storm you’re going through? It’s not a pleasant experience is it? During my various health trials, some doctors told me, “It’s all in your head.” Other doctors suggested that I didn’t really want to get well. Even a few Christian friends implied that if I confessed some sin or went to counseling my health would improve. Usually people mean well, but they don’t realize how their insensitive words can wound us.

         I’d have expected Job’s friends to offer sympathy and encouragement after seeing his intense suffering. That wasn’t the case.

         Eliphaz spoke first. He said, now trouble comes to you, and you are discouraged; it strikes you, and you are dismayed (Job 4:5).

         Saying that Job had “trouble” was a ridiculous understatement. Eliphaz had the audacity to rebuke Job for being discouraged, though Eliphaz had obviously never faced suffering like Job’s.

         That wasn’t all. Eliphaz continued, Consider now: Who, being innocent, has ever perished? Where were the upright ever destroyed? As I have observed, those who plow evil and those who sow trouble reap it (Job 4:7-8).

         Eliphaz basically told Job, “You must have done some wicked thing to deserve this trouble.” He went on, But if it were I, I would appeal to God; I would lay my cause before Him (Job 5:8). Yet, how could Eliphaz know what he would do in Job’s situation? He was giving advice about something he’d never experienced. He finished his speech by saying, We have examined this, and it is true. So hear it and apply it to yourself (Job 5:27).

         Eliphaz was confident, but that didn’t mean he was right. He was, in fact, mistaken in his opinion that Job’s suffering was a result of sin. Job 1:1 clearly states that Job was blameless. However, even though Eliphaz had a wrong opinion of Job, God could still bring something good from his speech. In Job 5:2, Eliphaz said, Resentment kills a fool, and envy slays the simple. He was right about that.

         As we go through storms, there will be people who are insensitive, arrogant, or constantly giving advice. At times I’ve felt hurt or angry with such people. I’ve thought, “They don’t live my life. They don’t feel my pain. How can they tell me what to do?” If left unchecked, these kinds of thoughts and feelings can easily turn into an attitude of resentment. Resentment places blame on others for either real or imagined injuries to us. But resentment only hurts us, as Eliphaz stated.

         The comforting truth is that God is always in control. When He allows difficult people in our lives, He can speak to us even through them, if we learn to keep an open heart.

         An open heart is one that is willing to learn, willing to confront its own sin, and willing to see more of God in every situation, especially the painful ones.

         Isn’t it ironic that Eliphaz was the one who said resentment kills a fool? If Job felt resentful toward anyone at that moment, it was probably Eliphaz. Yet when resentment takes hold in our lives, our hearts become closed to God. We can defeat resentment by acknowledging God’s control over every detail. When God allows others to inflict pain on us, He will always give us more grace. He will strengthen us to forgive. As we keep an open heart toward God, we’ll discover more about His unconditional love and forgiveness for us.

         As much as I didn’t want to, I did finally follow the suggestion to get some counseling. Though it didn’t change my physical condition, I learned some valuable things about God and about myself.

         God wants us to have open, willing hearts. In Psalm 51:12b, David prayed, grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. When we have an open heart,

         * God can use painful comments to lead us to deeper humility and compassion—making us more sensitive to the pain of others.

         * He can turn resentment into forgiveness—giving us a deeper appreciation for His forgiveness toward us.

         * He can turn our trials into opportunities—enabling us to show His grace to others.

         That’s what God loves to do.

www.newlineministries.com