Saturday, July 7

Psalm 23: verse 2

He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.

There is no place where God’s glory is more on display than in the high mountains near the tree line. The wildflowers are full of color and the grass is lush and green during the short summer. In verse two of Psalm 23, our creator God is said to make me lie down in green pastures. God, in his providence, makes available green pastures for his redeemed, which gives rest to their soul. Contentment, peace, and joy are the results of this love and provision. Although a believer may be short on worldly goods, he has a spiritual bounty that is illustrated by rest in green pastures. The temporal body is fading, dying, and possibly suffering, but the spirit and soul are constantly nourished through meditation on the green pastures of God.

Christians willingly follow the lead of the indwelling Holy Spirit. The spirit filled Christian is led spiritually beside still waters where his soul is nourished by living water. The fruit of the Spirit is but one way that nourishment is provided to the soul of the Christian by the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Adversity, hunger, and thirst may come in his temporal life, but a Christian is always beside the still waters that nourish and sustain his soul.

Praise God that our souls are provided with green pastures and quiet waters in the here & now and that one day all pain, suffering, and tears will be no more. In this eternal state there will be no distractions from the glory and joy that is found in the green pastures and quiet waters of God’s glorious mountains. On that day, all people will be in one accord as they praise and glorify God continually.

8 comments:

Shiloh Guy said...

This is a particularly special line of scripture for me. I so need the quiet times of rest and refreshment! As an "undershepherd" of God's people I find it especially needful to have times of peace when the Good Shepherd himself ministers to my heart and soul.

Anonymous said...

I particularly appreciate the part of the verse "He makes me..."
Only He knows what's truly good for us, so that He doesn't just "offer us to lie down" but "He makes me lie down."
For some reason, I am always taken aback by His goodness in this - His making us to lie down.
Just as only He can lead us beside the still waters. We cannot lead ourselves.

Doulos Christou said...

Susan beat me to the punch... great thoughts, and very helpful!

jazzycat said...

Dave, Susan, and Doulos:
Thanks for the thoughts....
wayne

mark pierson said...

Great post, Wayne!

Your eyes are still focused on Christ even in the midst of the battle for truth. I'm glad to see that.

I love you, my warrior brother!

jazzycat said...

Mark,
Thank you my brother....
wayne

donsands said...

Very encouraging.

Sometimes I long for Christ to come back bigtime, or to take me home. I selfishly think of escape.
But the fact is that God will rescue me from this realm one day, but until then, I will continue to graze on the pastures He supplies here.
The best food for us is doing His will. This is the one that truly satisfies.

jazzycat said...

Don,
I think you are right, we are most happy when are serving him in some manner.....