Through The Paths Of Righteousness

David the psalmist loves his youth as a good shepherd. He protected his sheep and even fought off and tore a lion with his bare hands. And this is exactly what Jesus did for us- He has protected and saved us from the enemy and kept us, his sheep, safe. 

Psalm 23:3 He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.
The good shepherd guides his sheep along the right paths for His name’s sake. 
Most pet animals, if you leave it astray, will find its way and come back to its home. But sheep don’t have this ability. They are completely dependent on the shepherd’s guidance. 
Jesus leads us with His wisdom and truth along the right route. This is why the Holy Spirit lives with us.
Sheep have many vulnerabilities. They cannot survive without a shepherd. But they also have many qualities.
 
They can recognise their shepherd’s voice accurately. We should also be like this and recognise God’s voice and also that of the earthly mentors that God places in our lives. 
Sheep have a keen sense of smell. They can recognise their lambs anywhere. They can also recognise the scent of their shepherd. This is important for us as well. We should be able to recognise what is from God and what is not.

In Ephesians , we see that some people are called to have a shepherd’s heart and lead the people. A pastor must have a shepherd’s heart in order to carry out God’s calling for them. A prophet or a teacher may not have this, but a pastor must.

A shepherd calls each sheep by name. 
John 10:3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.

Isaiah 43:1 But now, this is what the Lord says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
We are His! He knows us by name!

Isaiah 43:2-5
2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. 3 For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I give Egypt for your ransom, Cush and Seba in your stead. 4 Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give people in exchange for you, nations in exchange for your life. 5 Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west.

If Jesus is your shepherd, you have nothing to be afraid of because you are His. 
In the book of Numbers, families are listed out member by member. All of this is important to the Lord, just as we and our families are. 
Shepherds cannot go home to sleep every night, they camp in different places with their sheep and create protection for them. Sometimes different shepherds camp together with their herds, but in the morning, the sheep know their own shepherd, and the shepherd knows his own sheep. 

John 10:27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me

Proverbs 3:5-8  Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. 8 This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.
When you surrender to God, he will make your path straight and lead you.