Jesus leads those who are burdened, and need a skillful, sure and gentle shepherd.
Our journey to Heaven is across a waste howling wilderness, through an enemy's country all armed and combined to resist, dispute, and oppose our every step.
It is a road, also, all untraveled and unknown. Over the entrance of every new path is written, "You have not passed this way before!"
A new bend in our life transpires, a new path in our pilgrimage is presented involving new duties and responsibilities, new cares and trials. And with fear and trembling we gird ourselves for the new cloud-veiled pilgrimage which God in His goodness has appointed us.
But why these doubts, these trembling's, these fears?
Jesus is our Leader!
He knows all the way we take has mapped every road and has appointed every path.
As a Teacher, He leads us into all truth.
As a Captain, He leads us from victory to victory.
As a Shepherd, He leads us into green pastures.
As a Guide, He leads us along our difficult path skillfully, gently, and safely.
How does Jesus lead us? He leads us graciously. He leads us along all the stages, and through all the exercises of our Christian experience not leaving us when our frames are low, and our faith is assailed, and darkness, often thick darkness, covers our soul.
Who could skillfully, patiently, and faithfully lead us along all the mazes, intricacies, and perils of our Christian course, safely to glory but Christ our Leader?
Commit yourself, O my soul, confidently to the Lord's leading.
The way may appear all wrong to you, but it is the right way.
Mystery may enshroud it,
trials may pave it,
sorrows may darken it,
tears may bedew it nevertheless He is leading you by the right way home. "Lord, I am a poor, blind child not knowing my way. And when I do see it, I am often so burdened that I cannot walk. Take me by the hand, and gently, skillfully lead me until traveling days are over, and I am at home with You forever! You have promised gently to lead the burdened and feeble who cannot keep up with the flock. Lord, lead ME!"
[Octavius Winslow]
✞ ✞ ✞
Isaiah 42:16 ... And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.
Isaiah 40:11 ... He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.
Psalm 31:3 ... For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name's sake lead me, and guide me. ❤
