The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. 3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. (Ps 23:1-3)
This passage of Scripture is addressing the truth that God is our shepherd and He gives us His special and all-encompassing rest. What does God’s kind of rest really look like for mankind?
First of all, verse two says that He MAKES us lie down in green pastures. In other words, the Lord in His mercy commands us to rest (Ex 23:12; 34:21); and then He creates an atmosphere where we may rest completely and utterly in perfect safety. How does He do that? Psalm 23:1-3 shows us.
First of all, the Lord leads us to green pastures with grass as far as the eye can see and these pastures are situated beside quiet, peaceful waters. The Shepherd is right there watching over us to protect us. This image of abundant grass is selected by God to convey the concept of provision for our souls as well as our bodies—through His love and goodness. That is easily believed because God opens His hand and fills all living things with abundance according to Psalm 145:16. One of God’s titles is Jehovah-Jireh, our Provider. (Gen 22:13-14)
The peaceful waters to which the Lord leads us are quiet and gentle waters that induce us to relax and to rest. God provides for His people, not just food and rest, but refreshment and pleasure. (Ex 31:17; Ps 16:11; Jer 31:25; Phile 1:7; 1 Cor 10:4)
The Word actually says that God takes pleasure in the prosperity of His servants! (Ps 35:27) Glory to God!
When God supplies for your every need (spiritual, physical, financial, emotional) are you not then in the best possible state in which to relax and to rest? God bless you!
decidingvoteblog 