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Psalm 23:2 - Green Pastures and Still Waters from the Lord.Psalm 23:2 (NIV) He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,Psalm 23:2 (ESV) He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. WORD STUDY He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. The Christian life has two elements in it, the contemplative and the active, and both of these are richly provided for. First, the contemplative. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures. WHAT ARE THESE "GREEN PASTURES" BUT THE SCRIPTURES OF TRUTH -- ALWAYS FRESH, ALWAYS RICH, AND NEVER EXHAUSTED? There is no fear of biting the bare ground where the grass is long enough for the flock to lie down in it. Sweet and full are the doctrines of the gospel; fit food for souls, as tender grass is natural nutriment for sheep. When by faith we are enabled to find rest in the promises, we are like the sheep that lie down in the midst of the pasture; we find at the same moment both provender and peace, rest and refreshment, serenity and satisfaction. But observe: "He maketh me to lie down." It is the Lord who graciously enables us to perceive the preciousness of his truth, and to feed upon it. How grateful ought we to be for the power to appropriate the promises! There are some distracted souls who would give worlds if they could but do this. They know the blessedness of it, but they cannot say that this blessedness is theirs. They know the "green pastures", but they are not made to "lie down" in them. Those believers who have for years enjoyed a "full assurance of faith" should greatly bless their gracious God. The second part of a vigorous Christian's life consists in gracious activity. We not only think, but we act. We are not always lying down to feed, but are journeying onward toward perfection; hence we read, he leadeth me beside the still waters. WHAT ARE THESE "STILL WATERS" BUT THE INFLUENCES AND GRACES OF HIS BLESSED SPIRIT? HIS SPIRIT ATTENDS US IN VARIOUS OPERATIONS, LIKE WATERS -- IN THE PLURAL -- TO CLEANSE, TO REFRESH, TO FERTILISE, TO CHERISH. THEY ARE "STILL WATERS", FOR THE HOLY GHOST LOVES PEACE, AND SOUNDS NO TRUMPET OF OSTENTATION IN HIS OPERATIONS. He may flow into our soul, but not into our neighbour's, and therefore our neighbour may not perceive the divine presence; and though the blessed Spirit may be pouring his floods into one heart, yet he that sitteth next to the favoured one may know nothing of it. "In sacred silence of the mind My heaven, and there my God I find." Still waters run deep. Nothing more noisy than an empty drum. That silence is golden indeed in which the Holy Spirit meets with the souls of his saints. Not to raging waves of strife, but to peaceful streams of holy love does the Spirit of God conduct the chosen sheep. He is a dove, not an eagle; the dew, not the hurricane. Our Lord leads us beside these "still waters;" we could not go there of ourselves, we need his guidance, therefore it is said, "he leadeth me." He does not drive us. Moses drives us by the law, but Jesus leads us by his example, and the gentle drawing of his love. https://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/treasury-of-david/psalms-23-2.html INTRODUCTION When we allow God, our Shepherd, to guide us, we have contentment and refreshment. When we choose to sin, however, we go our own way and cannot blame God for the environment we create for ourselves. Our Shepherd knows the "green meadows" and "peaceful streams" that will restore us. We will reach these places only by following him obediently. Rebelling against the Shepherd's leading is actually rebelling against our own best interests. Remember this the next time you are tempted to go your own way rather than the Shepherd's way. [Life Application SB 2019] COMMENTARY PEARL Freedom Starts When Humility Sinks In Allowing God to lead our lives feels counterintuitive to our "do-it-yourself" way of living. We all tend to think we're pretty good at calling the shots and setting the course for our lives - that we deserve to be in total control. God is trying to get our attention with Psalm 23, which is why the imagery of Psalm 23 is not meant to be flattering. Being referred to as a sheep is not a compliment. Sheep are not the smartest creatures and struggle to survive without oversight and direction. Knowing this, notice the first thing the Shepherd does in this psalm - He makes us lie down in green pastures. Most of us don't like to be made to do anything, yet surrendering to God means we obey as He prompts. He's not looking for control or power in our lives. He's seeking to lead us to what truly satisfies. You can come to Him daily and admit you need His help. You can breathe out your inability and breathe in His all-sufficiency. You can trust that He will steer you through the valley to the other side. Dear Good Shepherd, I lie down today in Your green pastures. Restore and nourish my soul as I stay close to You. [Grace and Glory by Louie Giglio] ILLUSTRATIONS I recently visited one of Oregon's natural areas, a level path edged with mature oaks and ancient hawthorns. Native grasses spiked skyward as western meadowlarks and red-winged blackbirds sang from the treetops. Early wildflowers bloomed underfoot, testimony of the changing seasons. Hiking here brought me a sense of peace. My spirits rose along with the birds taking flight. This park focuses on reestablishing a population of western pond turtles, native to the region. Seasonal watersheds form during the wet months, often drying up completely before the rains return. Until that happens, these creatures can be spotted basking on logs or boulders along a pond's bank. During the cooler months, the turtles hide in the undergrowth along the water's banks, preparing their nests, invisible to the average hiker. Spotting one is rare. Jesus is continually at work in my life, unseen but not idle. Like the turtles He created, I can "nest" in comfort under His watchful eye, secure in the knowledge that He protects me from the predators of my world. He leads me in the direction I should go, guiding me to righteousness. As I walk through the wonders of His creation, He restores my soul. Heidi Gaul Faith Step: Visit a lake or pond near you. Walk the shoreline or follow a trail. Let Jesus restore your soul as you take in the quiet peace found in nature. [Mornings With Jesus 2022 Devotional by Guideposts and Zondervan] My youngest daughter, Kim, and her two little ones lived about an hour's drive away for ten months while her husband, a fourth-year medical student, worked in various hospitals across the province. I jumped at the opportunity to lend Kim a hand whenever she was on her own. Watching Kim engage with her children blessed my heart. For everyone's sake, she arranged their daily schedule to ensure an afternoon of quiet time. Two-year-old Lexi didn't always feel the need to rest in her bedroom after lunch, so she did her best to stall, but Kim vetoed her tactics. She understood her daughter, and she knew Lexi would benefit from a quiet space to relax. She might not sleep, but resting and reading books in bed refreshed her for the remainder of the day. Just as a mother understands her child's need for rest, Jesus knows I need to recharge. But like Lexi, I don't always want to. Sometimes I feel guilty about taking a break. I fear disappointing someone, appearing irresponsible, or missing an opportunity that might not present itself again. But giving myself the grace and space to rest is neither wrong nor a sign of weakness. It's a wise discipline, and one that Jesus acknowledged when He took on human form (Mark 6:31). Since Jesus recognized the value of rest in the midst of His busy life, shouldn't I? Grace Fox Faith Step: Give yourself the gift of a ten-minute rest today. Lie down, put your feet up, close your eyes, and enjoy. [Mornings With Jesus 2024 Devotional by Guideposts and Zondervan] LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY Psalm 23:2 - Green Pastures and Still Waters from the Lord. https://www.abible.com/devotions/2023/20231029-1032.html https://www.abible.com/devotions/2021/20210129-1030.html Psalm 23:2 - One Of The Crown Jewels Of Scripture - verse 2. http://www.abible.com/devotions/2003/20030206-0945.html LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT https://abible.com/links/ |