It has been a while since I wrote about verse one. I would highly recommend going back to read my Blog about it-I just did for a refresher!

Psalm 23:1 reads

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.

NIV

While studying deeply into that verse, we discussed at great lengths what a SHEPHERD is…and what a SHEPHERD does: provides, protects, and guides.

Psalm 23:2

He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters

NIV

You let me rest in fields of green grass, you lead me to streams of peaceful waters

CEV

In multiple commentaries on this verse, the word “REST” stands out to mean  repose: a state of tranquility in one particular place.

Think about that for a minute…being tranquil (free from disturbance; calm) in one place.

When was the last time you rested calmly- tranquilly- without thinking of what else needs to be done or where else you need to go?

Let’s be honest~ I can be on a beach while on vacation and relax entirely. HOWEVER, my mind is often wandering to what we will eat for dinner or what the plan will be for the next day.

If you have small children, this thinking is intensified no matter how relaxed you are in that moment of watching them play.

If you have teenagers- if we’re being honest- worrying if they are having as much fun as you are will also be on your mind in that moment.

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If you are a woman- utter transparency here- concern over how you look in your bathing suit may filter through your thoughts as well.

What would tranquil look like in that moment? Probably my husband-sound asleep on the beach with no care in the world to disrupt him…because I am thinking about enough things for the both of us!

And I would still say that I am relaxed in that moment.

But am I tranquil?

So, in this verse, when we read that He makes me rest ( be tranquil in one place), a new meaning of what that is suddenly surfaces. It looks different now, doesn’t it?

Where do we rest? In green pastures.

I read an article once that taught what we think of green pastures and what that means in Israel is not the same thing! I live in Michigan, so, when I picture pastures of green I am thinking of rolling hills with wild flowers beautifully canvasing the landscape.

Therefore, what this means biblically is a place of both delight and plenty. It refers to the tender shoots- young grass- that is different from “ripe” grass. Tender grass is delicate food for the flocks and yet they lie down tranquilly upon it.

The flock is able to lie down in perfect rest on the abundancy of tender grass usually enjoyed as their food because they already have all they need…all has been provided that they require.

WE are able to rest in tranquility, although surrounded by the MORE we usually crave, without any desire to enhance what we have already received: provision, protection, and guidance from our Shepherd.

Not only are we able to rest there…but He makes us rest fully satisfied.

And then, as if that is not enough,  He leads us beside quiet waters.

I love the beauty of the ocean as it crashes wave after wave onto the shoreline…but I doubt that turbulence is perceived as restful to a crew manning a ship out at sea as they fight the beautiful yet powerful gales thrusting them to and fro.

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The quiet, stillness of simple waves onto the beach is soothing. I can have a conversation with someone in that calmer space. I can hear the other sounds of nature and creation that surround me while I sit watching the water.

I also love a good waterfall: in Michigan, we boast of many to enjoy! The power of the water as it pours over the edge is massive as well as amazing. I stand in awe as the water erodes the landscape, changing the environment year after year.

But am I relaxed as I watch the frenzy of water falling? Am I calm when my husband and sons try to get closer and closer to the edge to feel the splashes as it rushes by?

No.

Now picture this: the trickling of a brook or stream as it bounces off rocks heading to a bigger body of water. Perhaps the sun is sparkling off it sending twinkles of light as the water flows by peacefully.

Resting beside quiet waters, still waters, provokes no fear, no anxiety or worry, no adrenaline rush…just calmness.

There is a time and place for power….for energy…for adrenaline. But this is a time provided by our Shepherd for tranquil enjoyment of having all we need right here and now.

That is what the Shepherd is giving us: respite, repose, rest, refreshment, relaxation, rejuvenation, restoration.

The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want .

It sounds wonderful.

So, we must ask the question,  how do we achieve that experience of fulfillment?

Through trusting in the Shepherd:  we MUST go where He leads.

These are wonderful verses (and we have only unpacked two of them!), but they MEAN NOTHING if we do not obey the guidance of our Shepherd…our Savior…our Father…our Lord.

Rebelling against the shepherd’s leading is actually rebelling against our own best interests. We must remember this the next time we are tempted to go our own way rather than the shepherd’s way…When we allow our Shepherd to guide us, we have contentment.

NIV Study Note

Jesus knows the green pastures and still waters that will restore you…just as He knows what is best for me. The Shepherd always knows what is best for His flock.

Our role is to trust in the Shepherd so we can be content exactly where we are in life…not where we think we should be or where we wish we were or where we used to be…exactly where we are right now.

What is your circumstance today?

Are you in pain- physically or emotionally?

Do you feel empty and without value?

Are you sick?

Are you scared?

Are you grieving?

Are you angry? Have you been hurt by someone?

My heart is aching today…my grief is real and fresh. The anticipation of that grief growing and multiplying into different directions is building. The idea of saying “goodbye” haunts my reality and torments my sleep. I do not write pithy statements of faith to only encourage you…I write to encourage me as well.

Therefore, JOIN ME in this~

Let the Good Shepherd lead you to green pastures and still waters today.