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NOTES

Overwhelmed
“The Path”
Pastor Carl Nichols

Psalm 23:3b
He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.

Restored sheep still need direction.

Everybody ends up somewhere. Very few people end up somewhere on purpose.

Your life is moving in the direction of the thing you keep following.

HOW THE SHEPHERD LEADS…
1. “He guides me” - Direction

Sheep were never designed to lead themselves.

Shepherds in David’s day led sheep from the front.

The Shepherd sees what sheep cannot see.

The sheep learned the:
- Shepherd’s voice
- Shepherd’s pace
- Shepherd’s direction

2. “Along the right paths” - Destination

Not every path leads somewhere healthy.

There are:
- Right paths
- Dangerous paths
- Destructive paths
- Distracting paths
- Dead-end paths

God sees the destination while sheep only see the moment.

3. “For his name’s sake” - Motivation

God is faithful to his own character.

Throughout the Old Testament, God repeatedly acts for:
- His glory
- His reputation
- His covenant promises
- Honor of His name

The Shepherd’s reputation is connected to the condition of the sheep.

Don’t blame God for your condition when you’re following other things down other paths.

Sometimes God leads you the long way because he’s protecting you from the short way.