Day 2 of Thoughts on Psalm 23
“He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters” (Psalm 23:2, ESV).
Fear. Worry. Too often these can take complete control of our lives. They consume our minds and impact us physically, spiritually and emotionally. It’s no wonder David compared us to sheep. Fear and worry are built into the DNA of sheep. They panic at the smallest sound. It’s very difficult for sheep to rest because they are constantly living in fear. At times, it can even impact their physical health.
However, everything changes when the shepherd comes. Fear and worries are put to rest. The shepherd brings the sheep security and peace of mind. They know they are protected no matter what enemy is lurking. David, a shepherd turned king, knew what it was like to live in fear. He was always on the run from Saul and even his own son, Absalom. But there was one thing that brought David peace—his Lord. We can always take comfort in knowing that our Lord is present, offering refuge and safety. The deeper we grow in our relationship with Him, the more peace of mind we will obtain. Have you ever thought of fear or worry as sin? It’s a lack of faith that our God will protect us and provide for our every need. We should be thankful that we have a God who “makes us lie down in green pastures” so we can experience true rest under His care and protection.
The shepherd didn’t stop with providing safety and rest but also led the thirsty sheep to a water source. None of us could survive without water, and sheep are no different. They are a pretty helpless animal and would not be able to survive well on their own. They rely heavily on the shepherd for so many things. In order to find water, the sheep simply have to follow the lead of their shepherd. He knows where to take them so they can continue to grow and stay hydrated and healthy.
Have you ever doubted God and felt fear in where He is leading you? I know I sure have! At times I’ve simply lacked faith; I can’t see why He leads me down certain paths, and I feel afraid. The path may be frightening but our God understands us, and He knows where He is leading us. He knows what we need in order to grow spiritually. Sometimes the hardest part of being a Christian is just trusting in God when we cannot see the future or understand the road we are called to travel. If we want to experience satisfaction and continue to grow in our faith, we must trust that God is leading us to the water we so desperately thirst for. He always leads us to the path that is meant to fulfill our purpose for His glory, and when we obediently follow, we are exactly where we should be.
Good post. Lots to think about