For His Name’s Sake

“He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.”

(Psalm 23:3, NKJV)

When I was a 4th grader I was sent home with a note explaining to my parents that I got in trouble for participating in a crayon fight. The details are a bit fuzzy now about my disruptive behavior, but what is crystal clear is what my dad said to me: “Son, you need to realize that wherever you go you carry our family name.”

The writer of the 23rd Psalm, traditionally attributed to King David, uses this image of a shepherd who is Yahweh himself, a Kingly Shepherd who leads us daily in paths just like he did for the Hebrews in their wilderness wanderings for forty years in the desert. David explains that God chooses to shepherd us “for his name’s sake” (Psalm 23:3c). What does this mean? Let’s first talk about God’s name, Yahweh.

In Exodus 3, while caring for the flocks of his father-in-law Jethro near the mountain of Horeb (Mt. Sinai), Moses has an encounter where God speaks to him from a burning bush. God identifies himself to Moses as the God of his father, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Exodus 3:6). God has heard the cry of his people Israel and is sending Moses to Pharaoh to free them. Moses protests but God gives him assurance by revealing to Moses his name: “I AM WHO I AM…I AM…the LORD (Yahweh)” (Exodus 3:14-16).

This name Yahweh (YHWH) occurs over 6800 times in the Old Testament as “LORD” but we can never forget the essence of this name is a God who is fully present in our time and space and yet transcends them. God is both time-less and time-full. God’s name will especially be connected to his activity as divine deliver for the Hebrews (Exodus 6:6-7), for David (Psalm 18:2) and for followers of Jesus (2 Corinthians 1:10).

I recently shared my testimony about how I was captivated by God speaking to me. The LORD revealed himself to me and filled me with an incredible joy, delivering me from a life that was empty and without direction. From that encounter I wanted to live in such a way that people would know that this Person is the one who changed me. I wanted my life to give a glimpse of the love that had captivated me. Though I am many years removed from this specific encounter with God, I continue to strive to remember every day that I live not for myself but for him. God is leading me toward a life of fullness and blessing not to build up my name and reputation but to reveal his good name so that others might know whom to follow and how to find true life.

Something to Think About

Dallas Willard prayed his own paraphrase of Psalm 23 every day. My friends at Soul Shepherding have compiled it here:

The Lord is my Shepherd, I have life without lack.

In his green pastures I’ve eaten my fill so I lie down.
At his still waters my thirst is satisfied.

He heals and reintegrates my broken depths in his eternal life

so I can walk in paths of righteousness on his behalf.
Even though I go through loss, hunger, disease, aging, and death I will fear no evil because you Jesus are with me.
Your strong rod and protective staff put me at liberty.

Your abundant provision is a feast for me so I’m happy to share with my enemies.
You give me hot showers and warm fluffy towels, joyful experiences and deep relationships, to make me feel clean, special, and powerful.
My cup runs over so I can be generous without ever running out.

Surely this world is a perfectly safe place for me to be
Because I dwell and abide with God in the fullness of his life in the Kingdom of the Heavens forever.

Something to Do:

Slowly pray through Willard’s version of Psalm 23, thanking God for leading you good paths and remembering that this life is all about him and his goodness. Pray over your upcoming week that God’s name would be known through your leadership, your speech, your actions and your listening.

Prayer:

LORD, thank you being a Good Shepherd to me personally who delivers me time and again as I twist and turn through this life. Help me remember that when people see my leadership they are learning something about you. Fill me with your Spirit in my speech, action and my listening that your name might be known. Amen.

Explore more at The High Calling archive, hosted by the Theology of Work Project:
Who Would Want to Be God’s Sheep?