I’m not the most coordinated guy I know–not even close. I have difficulty walking a narrow path as my feet both like to lead… at the same time! That is just as true of me on spiritual paths—I don’t follow God as well as my intentions.
David was known for rising from shepherd to King and when he writes Psalm 23, it is with full awareness that sheep need a shepherd, that domestic sheep do not do well in the wild without the care and protection of a faithful shepherd. When he writes this psalm, it is in the recognition that when he himself comes to the necessities of Life, he need to be shepherded. And as often as he has had important people–prophets, counselors, priests, companions–he desires one Shepherd, the Lᴏʀᴅ. Not only looking to God for sustaining through the necessities of physical life but looking for God’s leading him in the path of righteousness, honoring the Lᴏʀᴅ’s name. It is not enough to simply live well but also live in agreement with God, in God’s image, following God’s definition of right-ness such that God’s name is glorified.
David also has learned that in this path his relationship with God is restored by God—the Lᴏʀᴅ leads, David follows. May it be so in our lives as well.