The Paths of Righteousness

By Ralph Graves

The main objective of this book is to offer unparalleled insight to the "paths" our lives encountered with impending hope.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Apr 14, 2016
• ISBN: 9781365046209

Book preview

The Paths of Righteousness

The PATHS of Righteousness

BISHOP RALPH D. GRAVES

B.S., M. DIV., D. MIN.

Special Thanks to:

Cynthia King

Beverly Ray

Eric A. Pugh

Nicole Pugh

Denise Ward

Raynard R. Sumpter, II

Art Cover by: Legacy Production Group (LPG)

Copyright © 2016 by RDG Ministries

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review or scholarly journal.

First Printing: 2016

ISBN 978-1-365-04620-9

RDG Ministries

P.O. Box 1711

Rocky Mount, NC 27802 www.bishopdonniegraves.org

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Contents

Introduction

Chapter 1: The Shepherd

Chapter 2: The Sheep

Chapter 3: The Patterns of Leading

Chapter 4: Righteousness

Chapter 5: The PATHS

Conclusion

Introduction

Psalm 23 is one of the most well-known Psalms in Israel’s song book.  The book of the Psalms are vital in conveying the attitude of the writer regarding the relationship of Israel with God. There are references to divine encounters and incidents within the history of Israel, but more importantly are the dispositions of the people as they sing their joys and sorrows about and toward God.  Psalm 23 flows with rhythm and beauty.  Dr. Samuel Balentine, one of my Old Testament professors, expressed to our class the skeletal structure of this Psalm.  From the first statement, the Lord is my shepherd, each sub-verse and verse can be recited with the last word, forever.  For example, there is a congruent flow as follows: the Lord is my shepherd…forever; I shall not want…forever. How artistic was the writer of this beautiful song of Israel.  Because of the comparative analogy of sheep and shepherd, most scholars attribute this Psalm to the shepherd king, David.

I vividly remember in the first grade receiving my first New Testament Bible with the Psalms included. There was a religious group called the Gideon Bible Society who were allowed to distribute bibles in public schools. This religious group still distributes bibles in hotels. During my elementary days of education, we engaged in morning devotions. It involved reciting the Lord’s Prayer, The Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and reciting the 23rd Psalm; however, I did not learn the 23rd Psalm in school. Growing up in the home of Deacon William and Pastor Lettie Cohen, learning scripture was not an option. For more than 42 years of preaching and 38 years of pastoring, I have always read