One of the most beautiful hymns ever composed (and a personal favorite of mine) is the hymn “All the Way My Savior Leads Me.”This hymn was written in 1875 by Fanny J. Crosby and Robert Lowry. The message of the hymn is the blessings and rewards that come to one who chooses to hear and follow (i.e., obey) the voice of the One who is both Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ.
Both the appellations of “Savior”’ and “Lord” affirm that Jesus Christ is the Leader that all should (and must) follow in order to receive blessings from God in the here and the now as well as ultimately in eternity. “Savior” denotes the fact that Jesus Christ is the only One who can lead us out of sin (Matthew 1:23). “Lord” denotes that Christ must direct or govern our lives (Luke 6:46). Yet, there is a third great appellation applied to Christ which affirms that He is the perfect Leader for our lives, and that term is “Shepherd” (John 10:11ff; Psalm 23).
The Bible describes us, as human beings, metaphorically as “sheep.” This is an apt description because sheep are creatures that cannot lead themselves; they need guidance. Sheep need a shepherd to guide them. The same is true of us as humans. The Bible plainly declares that it is not in man to direct his own steps (Jeremiah 10:23). Man needs guidance, spiritually; man needs a shepherd. Thanks be unto God that He has provided us with the perfect Shepherd, Who is also Lord and Savior – His Son, Christ Jesus.
In this brief treatise, we will consider the need to ever follow Jesus, the Christ who is both Lord, Savior and Shepherd by briefly analyzing Psalm 23. By doing such, we will better understand why it is we sing “All the Way Yy Savior Leads Me” and why all should let Christ be the Shepherd or Leader in all things.
One, by submitting our lives to Christ and following His voice (His authority – the New Testament), we will, like David affirmed, “not want” (v. 1). We will have all of our needs met spiritually in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 1:3). Just as a shepherd provides for and meets the needs of his sheep, so too does Christ provide and meet our needs spiritually.
Two, when we hear and follow the voice of the Shepherd, we will find rest (v. 2, “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures”). In accepting and responding positively to Christ’s wonderful invitation through obedience to the Gospel, one finds rest in Christ from the terrible burden of sin. When one continues to abide in Christ by following His voice (authority), he will continue to experience that rest as a result of keeping sin purged from his life.
Three, He provides us with perfect leadership and direction (v. 2, “leadeth me beside the still waters”; v. 3, “He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness…”). Christ does not lead His sheep into trouble. He leads us in such a way that we can enjoy peace and tranquility. Life is full of troubles and trials, but if we follow the Good Shepherd, we will enjoy the peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7). We will know that we are in a saved, and therefore, safe condition. We will be following the paths of righteousness as a result of being guided by the Word (Romans 1:17).
Four, He provides restoration (v. 3, “He restoreth my soul”). When we hear the voice and respond to that voice of Christ, one is revived spiritually. One goes from being ‘dead in sin’ to being “dead to sin” (Romans 6:2). To be alive in Christ is to enjoy the abundant life that He came to give (John 10:10).
Five, He removes fear (v. 4, “I will fear no evil”). We are to fear God (Ecclesiastes 12:13); as followers of the Good Shepherd we do not fear anything man can do to us because the Lord is our Helper (Hebrews 13:6).
Six, He will never forsake His sheep (v. 6, “for thou art with me”). When we follow the Good Shepherd as His sheep, He will never depart from us or leave us. God is faithful to His promises (Hebrews 13:5). We can be assured we will not be walking alone in this life if we follow the voice of the Good Shepherd.
Seven, He will lead us into the heavenly house of God (v. 6, “I shall dwell in the house of the Lord for ever”). This is the reward for faithfully following the Good Shepherd. If we stay on course, that is continue in the way (John 14:6), heaven will be ours.
I hope this brief glimpse into Psalm 23 will give us a better understanding as to why we are to obey and follow Christ; I hope that we are motivated to follow Jesus Christ. I hope as Christians we truly appreciate the fact that He is our Good Shepherd, and I especially hope that each who reads this truly will allow the One who is Lord, Savior and Shepherd to lead him all the way through this life into the life that is to come in heaven.
