GUIDED BY DAY AND BY NIGHT

Author H. W. McLaughlin tells of visiting Israel and talking to an old shepherd. Thinking about Psalm 23, McLaughlin asked the shepherd how he used his staff to comfort and guide the sheep.

The elderly man said that in the daylight he always carried it across his shoulders so the sheep could see it. Somehow this reassured them of his presence and protection. He further explained that if darkness overtook him before he had brought the sheep to a safe resting place for the night, or if they were caught in a heavy fog so that the sheep could not see the staff, he would walk slowly while tapping it on the ground. Although the sheep could not see the staff, they could hear its tapping, and they would follow the direction of the sound, knowing that their shepherd was just ahead of them.

God's inspired Word is to the Christian what that state was to those sheep, reassuring us of God's presence, protection, and provision by day and by night. Sometimes we see His leading from Scripture very clearly. At other times, however, we must listen with special care to God's Spirit as He speaks to us in the Scriptures. He will reassure us that our Shepherd, though unseen, is always with us. -HGa

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. (Gilmore)

YOU DON'T NEED TO KNOW WHERE YOU ARE GOING IF YOU KNOW GOD IS LEADING