"My sheep hear my voice and I know them and they follow me." (John 10:27)

HE LEADETH ME

The lines of an old hymn state:

  "He leadeth me: O blessed thought!
O words with heavenly comfort fraught!
Whate’er I do, where’er I be,
Still ‘tis God’s hand that leadeth me."

We are "the sheep of His pasture," and it is our prerogative to follow, not to question, the Shepherd. Jesus said that His sheep would hear His voice and follow him.

Following Him requires three things:

1. First we must be obsessed with the Shepherd. Sheep need to stay close to the Shepherd. Paul was a faithful follower because he was obsessed with Christ. Listen to his words:

  "Now thanks be to God who always leads us to triumph in Christ..."
"For we are to God the fragrance of Christ..." (II Corinthians 2:14, 15)
"For to me to live is Christ..." (Philippians 1:21)
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me: (Philippians 4:13)
"I am crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me" (Galatians 2:20).
Paul followed Jesus closely and faithfully because he was obsessed with Him.

2. Second, we must observe the Shepherd. Peter expressed it this way. "For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us.

  Observe Him in the Gospel narratives. Observe His manner and message! See His caring compassion! Note His boldness and His devotion to the the Scriptures! Love as He loved, think as He thought, care as He cared, forgive as He forgave, and endure as He endured.

3. Third, we must obey the Shepherd. The sheep know His voice and they follow Him. "He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake" (Psalms 23:3). God has arranged matters in such a way that the Good Shepherd’s name is judged by the condition, behavior, and obedience of His people. The Shepherd’s name and glory is connected with the walk and conduct of the sheep. What a sobering thought!

Clarence DeLoach