| J.R. Miller D.D. | Page 9 |
Then, when sorrow has left the heart broken, it is only the Good Shepherd who can restore it. We may put all sorrow’s wounds into his hand. He is most gentle, and his hand is infinitely skilful. He is a wonderful comforter. No human hand can heal a heart that is bruised, but the hand of Jesus has infinite delicacy and skill. “The broken wing of the swallow He binds in the middle air.”
“He restoreth my soul.” The end of all Christ’s restorings will be the putting back of the defaced divine image on the life of every one who trusts in him and follows him. “It doth not yet appear what we shall be.” God’s work in us is not yet finished while we stay in this world.”But we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him.”
“He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” The Eastern shepherd does not drive his sheep – he leads them; he goes before them, and they follow him. He always has a purpose in his leading. He knows where the bits of green pasture are, and he would lead his flock to these. The way may be rough, but it is the right way to the pasture. “Paths of righteousness” may not be straight paths; but they are paths that lead somewhere – to the right place. Many desert paths are illusive. They start out clear and plain, but soon they are lost in the sands. They go nowhere. But the paths of righteousness have a goal to which they unerringly lead.
It is one of the sweetest revealings of Christian life that the Good Shepherd always leads his own. He does not drive them. We are not his sheep if we do not follow him. He putteth forth the sheep, and goeth before them. He calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. In many ways does he lead. The mother gives the first divine guidance to the little child that looks up into her face with love and trust. Then, along the years, other hands are reached out to guide. We do not know how much of God’s goodness comes to us in human hearts and lives. Sometimes it is a friend’s wise counsel that you find just the word which makes the way plain for you.
Page 9
<< Prior Page 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Next Page >>