Psalm 23:3-4 – “He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me …”
Have you ever considered that when God leads us in paths of righteousness it might take us into a bleak, dismal-looking place.
Paths of righteousness might wind up leading us into a place of getting laid off from our job simply because we did what was right. We didn’t lie or cheat, to bring in the results we were expected to. We gave our very best and worked our hardest. We stood up for the oppressed and the weak.
And the path of righteousness, for His name’s sake, has led us to a place of not having a job anymore.
It is interesting to note that the very next verse states: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death …”
* the death of a career path
* the death of hopes and dreams
* the death of everything we’ve been working on
* the death of friendships
“I will fear no evil … for You, God, are with me!”
Sometimes “paths of righteousness” look much like this sad, dreary-looking path in the photo. But the thing is … God is the one who leads us down that path. God is right there beside us every step! God will never leave us or forsake us! God will take care of us!
Deuteronomy 31:8 – “The LORD Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
Proverbs 20:24 – “A man’s steps are directed by the LORD. How then can anyone understand his own way?”
Proverbs 2:8 – “He guards the course of the just and protects the way of His faithful ones.”
