Swallow and Follow

It is essential that a leader be able to be trusted to lead well. David described the Good Shepherd in terms of knowing the needs of his sheep he leads. 

• They need rest in the midst of pleasure
• They need safety from that which could pull them under
• They need restoration when discouraged.

Then David speaks of being led through the valley of the shadow of death; and we may justly ask, “How is this good leadership?” Scary is good for movies, novels and theme parks, but not real life. What gives here? The answer is that the Shepherd can be trusted to lead on right paths, even if dark and dangerous, because both our eternal well being and His reputation are on the line for things far greater than the seductive drumbeats of present happiness.

Notice the pronouns in the psalm. They change from "He" to "You." Scary paths require turning what we know ABOUT Jesus into swallow-and-follow confidence IN Him. That is why this path is a right path. It bonds us to Him, and that is for our eternal good.

It is also the right path because of where it leads. In the new pasture the sheep is anointed with oil and given an overflowing cup. With poetic artistry David makes a transition from sheep to people. Since the psalm ends with his human anticipation of living in the house of the LORD forever, I would suggest that the anointing and an overflowing cup speak of ministry. As such they underscore a familiar theme in Scripture: trials prepare Jesus’ followers to be of value in the lives of others. This is, after all, the very point of 2 Corinthians 1:4 where the word "comfort" carries the imagery of leading at our side, coaching, encouraging. 

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