My friend Mary Starr trains sheepdogs, or herding dogs. Some are trained to perform competitively. Others are actually used by sheep ranchers and farmers who raise livestock in New Mexico, Colorado, and Montana. On more than one occasion, while driving through the Western states, I’ve seen shepherds leading their flocks to greener pastures. Twice I’ve had to stop my car on a rural road so a man and his bleating flock could cross from one side to the other. The shepherd is always out front while his dog brings up the rear or runs beside the flock, making sure all the sheep stay together. The dog barks, using aggressive behavior to make the sheep obey its “orders.” The dog makes sure none of the sheep stray, that they follow in the footsteps of the shepherd.
Recently in my Bible study group, I learned that the Hebrew word follow as used in Psalm 23 is really a much stronger verb that means pursue or chase. Mary Starr’s trained working dogs immediately came to mind. I easily imagined the Lord’s goodness and mercy bounding alongside David the psalmist like twin sheepdogs, actively urging him to follow the path of righteousness. Don’t you love that image? It has changed forever how I will read Psalm 23, for I know the Lord’s goodwill and loving-kindness are guiding me too, pursuing me along the trail that leads to eternal life where I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Heavenly Father, You are indeed the Good Shepherd. I thank You for Your goodness and mercy toward me.
—Shirley Raye Redmond
