Quiet Waters

What are the quiet (or still) waters of our lives? Two images come to my mind when I hear this phrase. One is that quiet waters produce beautiful reflections. I recall often when coming across a still lake surrounded by beautiful woods or snow capped mountains, the reflection seems almost more beautiful than the actual view. How refreshing it is to pause and consider the beauty God has produced on earth and contemplate how that must pale in comparison to the beauty we will experience in heaven in eternity. If God can produce such beauty in a sin sick world, what must heaven be like?

The fast flowing, noisy streams have their beauty, but the still mirror-like bodies of water remind us of complete peace. It is interesting that sheep wont drink from a noisy stream because the noise and the rushing water frighten them. The shepherd must find still, quiet ponds for them to drink from. Weve all heard the phrase "still waters run deep" and I think there is an application here. It is during those quiet times in our lives when we can grow the deepest in our relationship with the Lord. It is a wonderful experience to quietly and unhurriedly spend time plumbing deeply into Gods Word.

Just as sleep refreshes us physically, our quiet times in the Bible refreshes us spiritually. As we allow Him, the Lord graciously enables us to perceive the preciousness of His truth and to feed upon it. Through the ministry of the Holy Spirit we have the power to appropriate the promises He has given us. Uninterrupted seasons of meditation and prayer allow us to share with Him our deepest needs and concerns as well as to praise Him for who He is and what He has done.

We live in a culture and society that is marked by busyness and activity. One of my most consistent prayers for my family is that they will look diligently for the "green pastures" and "quiet waters" as they mature in their Christian life. I can assure you from personal experience that the deeper you grow in your relationship with Jesus Christ, the more satisfied you will be with your life.

He Leads Me...

He leads me...

Psalms 23

The next phrase that attracts our attention in this Psalm is "He leads me". To lead means to go before, to direct, or to show the way. Exodus 13:21, speaking of God physically leading His people says "And the Lord was going before them in a pillar of cloud by day to lead them on the way and a pillar of fire by night to give the light."

In Psalm 25:4 David asks for spiritual direction when he requests "lead me in Thy truth and teach me, for Thou art the God of my salvation." In Psalm 139:24 he requests "lead me in the everlasting way." David recognized he was an eternal being and there were choices to be made about eternal destiny.

In Isaiah 48:17 we read "Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; "I am the Lord your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you in the way you should go." It is Gods desire to lead us in every aspect of our life, but He doesnt force His way on us. We can choose not to follow Him, but the consequences are always bad. We see the results of that choice in Romans 2:4-5 "Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance? But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God."

Speaking to the Christian, Paul says in II Corinthians 2:14 "But thanks be to God, who always leads us in His triumph in Christ…" This verse gives me great confidence for I know that if I am living my life in His will and allowing Him to lead me I will always be triumphant. It keeps pride from setting when I am successful for I know it is Him and not me. It encourages me during the difficult days of trial and testing, because I know as He leads I will walk through it triumphant at the end.

God deeply desires to lead us in every aspect of our lives but He will not force you to be obedient. I pray that you will be sensitive and yielding to His leading as you walk through your life. That will allow Him to lead you beside the "quiet waters" we will discuss next.

Green Pastures

"He makes me lie down in green pastures"

Psalm 23:2a

What are the green pastures in your life? I can think of several in mine. The phrase green pastures makes one think of peace and rest, doesnt it. There are two types of rest we should consider; spiritual rest and physical rest.

Becoming a Christian does not automatically give one spiritual rest, but it does give us the ability to attain it. Certainly, there is a peace we can not experience until we ask the Lord Jesus to be our Savior. Rest comes from allowing Him to be our Lord. Spiritual rest comes from the joy of prayer, reading Gods Word, and fellowship with other believers.

God also knows we need physical rest and relaxation. God instituted rest on the seventh day of creation, when after finishing His work, He rested. One of my "green pastures" is a good book. I enjoy relaxing with a good book after a days work. What are you reading today? Another of my "green pastures" is good music. The combination of a good book and good music is extremely soothing to me.

Another "green pasture" is the cabin God has allowed us to have in East Texas. Getting away from the hustle and bustle of life and spending time in Gods natural creation is very calming to me. Although I may get physically exhausted some days I mentally and emotionally relax.

Our grandchildren are another "green pasture" for Betty and I. We truly enjoy their company. It is such a pleasure to see them developing as a young man and woman who love the Lord. We cherish the moments we get to spend with them and our children. Raising children is an awesome responsibility, but the joy of grand-parenting more than makes up for the trials of parenthood.

Betty and I also enjoy traveling throughout the beautiful world God has given us to enjoy. Although man has polluted much of it we still can enjoy the grandeur of the mountains, the beauty of the lush green valleys, and the peace of the streams and rivers flowing through them. If God has provided this kind of beauty for us to enjoy now, think of what heaven must be like.

Look for the "green pastures" of your life and enjoy them. God has blessed you with them.

He Makes Me Lie Down

"He makes me lie down..."
Psalm 23

Another characteristic of sheep is that in order for them to lie down they must be completely at peace and free from any unrest. I’m told there are four specific things they must be free from before they can rest.

First, they must be free from all fear. Sheep are defenseless characters and become fearful very easily. They must have complete confidence that their shepherd is among them and that he will protect them from any harm. As Christians we, too, must have complete confidence in the protecting hand of our Lord. I, personally, have felt this most acutely on a missions trip to Colombia. The local people told us we were ministering in a very dangerous area. One lady told me her husband’s occupation was to rob and kill. Yet, the Lord gave me complete peace that week that He was guarding me continually. Someone has said "there is nothing like Christ’s presence to dispel the fear, the panic, the terror of the unknown".

Secondly, sheep must be free from friction with other sheep before they will lie down. Have you noticed how difficult it is to rest, or sleep, when you are upset or mad at someone? Your mind is full of thoughts and will not rest. The Bible encourages us to be at peace with each other and to be quick to apologize if we have offended someone. Ephesians 4:26 says "do not let the sun go down on your anger". We need to resolve our anger in order to rest. Another sign of discontentment is covetousness. Paul told us in Philippians 4:11 "I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am."

Thirdly, sheep must be free from being tormented by flies or parasites before they will lie down. There are many outside influences that can bother us as humans also. The Lord has provided the Holy Spirit to bring quietness, serenity, strength and calmness into our lives to counter those influences. As we maintain the fullness of the Spirit in our lives we experience those qualities that allow us to rest in Him.

Finally, the sheep must be free of hunger before they will down. To satisfy our hunger the Lord provides green pastures. We will discuss those green pastures in our lives next.

Notice the word "makes" in this phrase. Are you getting the spiritual, mental and physical rest you need? I’m convinced that at times God sets us aside for a time if we abuse ourselves so that we will get the rest we need. I encourage you to be sensitive to God’s work in your lives to free you from the four fears we have discussed so that you might truly rest in Him.