As a young man, I watched the movie Quo Vadis it was much later in life that I sought to understand the origin of this phrase, whether it is true or is just one of those dictums, there is a lesson to be learnt. The story goes that when Peter was fleeing the persecution of Nero, he went into a vision in the Apian Way in which he saw the Lord Jesus Christ and Peter then asked the question domine quo vadis. It is said the Lord then responded to him, ‘I go to Rome to be crucified a second time’. Peter understood that to be a rebuke for his cowardliness in fleeing from persecution; and he returned to Rome to be crucified upside down by Nero.

The days we live in demand courage and such assurance as is written in Psalm 23 (TPT) to contend and stand.

Yahweh is my best friend and my shepherd. I always have more than enough. He offers a resting place for me in his luxurious love. His tracks take me to an oasis of peace near the quiet brook of bliss. That’s where he restores and revives my life. He opens before me the right path and leads me along in his footsteps of righteousness so that I can bring honor to his name. Even when your path takes me through the valley of deepest darkness, fear will never conquer me, for you already have! Your authority is my strength and my peace. The comfort of your love takes away my fear. I’ll never be lonely, for you are near. You become my delicious feast even when my enemies dare to fight. You anoint me with the fragrance of your Holy Spirit; you give me all I can drink of you until my cup overflows. So why would I fear the future? Only goodness and tender love pursue me all the days of my life. Then afterward, when my life is through, I’ll return to your glorious presence to be forever with you! Psalm 23 (TPT)

The unique term for shepherd is ro’ehtzon—”lover of the flock: a clear indication that a shepherd is not just a responsible overseer but a caring father tending the flock out of a deep sense of love. Shepherds were also fierce protectors of their flock—just as the Lord is a fierce protector of His people. What an assurance of the Lord’s disposition to those who recognise Him so; and for this reason, I lack nothing. Lord, you meet my emotional, physical, and spiritual needs! He leads me to where the pasture is because He knows where it is; that resting place where I can be free from all fear!

The Greek verb “to love” is agape, it’s the merging of two words: ‘Ago’ – to lead like a shepherd, ‘pao’ – to rest. Love is my Saviour leading me to a place of true rest in His heart. He leads me to the waters of a resting place. That’s where He causes my life which is drained through many activities to return. As David found, God restores our wellbeing when we pursue what pleases Him and we rest upon Him. Sometimes it may look like we are just moving in circles, but as we follow Him, we circle our way up higher. Each step we take following Him will lead us higher even though it may seem we are going in circles! Note verse 4 particularly. ‘For your authority over my life is my strength and my peace’!

Where have I put my confidence? All sources of peculiar confidence shall fail in the day of His judgment! O son, there is an appointed order that God has put in place, even in the most basic things of life such as planting and harvesting! Such is the greatness of our God, wonderful in counsel, great and excellent in wisdom and effective in outcome! O Lord, help me to see what You are doing that I may behave and conduct myself aright! putting my confidence in You and not in any other! O Lord, teach me, what to do as You teach the farmer, about when, how and where. O Lord, I look to You!

Pastor Afolabi Oladele