Green pastures are not abundant in the deserts. Shepherds would have to guide their flocks to the places with enough grass for their sheep. The shepherd needed to know where to go, the best route to take, and the pace at which to drive the flock. There would likely be dry and difficult terrain to cross, as well as untold dangers from wild beasts and thieves along the way.
In the Hebrew, the text of Psalm 23:6 literally reads, “In pastures of grass, he makes me to lie down; upon waters of rest, he guides me.” From Scripture’s verbal retellings being written in Aramaic, then Hebrew, then Greek, then every other language on earth, somewhere along the way the meanings of certain words have been lost in translation. The terminology was written for an audience that lived in a different period. As an example, many of Jesus’ parables are commonly misunderstood today simply because we are not familiar with the vocabulary of His time. Those who heard Jesus speak understood Him completely at that time. But for us, we need more understanding of the background and culture of the time it was written.
The Shepherd chooses the pasture for us. We choose when, how much, and what to eat. "He is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care." (Psalm 95:7). The two greatest and probably the only neeeds for the sheep are food and water. As long as they have 'green pastures' to feed on, and 'still waters' to drink from, they are content.
But When it comes to man, it is more than just food and water to be happy and content. Our happiness and contentment depend on much more than food, water and shelter. The grass often looks greener on the other side and we pursue more.
Jesus taught: "give us this day our daily bread. " Paul expanded on it by saying: "But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.” (1 Timothy 6:7-9).
Quite often, we think that the grass is greener on the other side of the fence. At sunrise every morning, the little boy used to look across the window at another hill some distance away. On this far-off hill stood a house with gold and diamond windows. The yellow gold was as clear as glass, and the diamonds were as bright as the sun. He asked his dad to take him to that house. One day the father took him there, to find out that there were no golden windows. They looked and stared, when a little girl came out of the house, and asked if they are looking for something. "Yes, replied the boy, "I wanted to see the house with the golden windows that I see every morning. "Oh, you have come to the wrong house, she replied. But if you wait, I will show you the house with the golden windows that I see every evening." She then pointed to a house in the distance - the home of the little boy! In the morning the rising sun rays hit the window panes of the girl's house and in the evening the setting sun rays would hit the boy's house windows across the field.
We go through life looking out of the windows of our own experience, dreaming of a golden window at a distance. But when we look through facts, we know that the gold you see is due to the light reflecting from simple glass or water drops.We think that others are living better lives. They do not have troubles or problems in their lives. We think if we get what someone else has, then the problem will be solved. The reality is that everybody is under stress, but may be with a different problem. All people everywhere have challenges, heartaches, and burdens to bear.
Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty." (John 6:35). He is the Living Word that will nourish our souls. Just as we cannot survive physically without food, we cannot survive spiritually without feeding on the green pastures of God’s Word. Our food is the word of God. "Your words are what sustain me; they are food to my hungry soul. They bring joy to my sorrowing heart and delight me." (Jeremiah 15:16 TLB).
God’s Word encourages us. There is nothing that will encourage you more than the Word of God. When we go through sadness, depression, loss of direction or grief and sorrow, the Word of God is the resting place for us. The Psalmist describes God's word "as rejoicing the heart and enlightening the eyes. It is desirable and it is sweeter than honey." (Psalm 19:7-10).
God’s Word equips us. We are called by God to be ambassadors of Jesus Christ to this world. (2 Corinthians 5:20). God has given us the instructions that we need through the scripture. The Bible is the Christian’s instruction manual.
God’s Word empowers us. As we feed on the Word of God, we receive the spiritual energy we need to carry out God’s purpose for our lives. The more we read the Word, the more powerful we become. The Word of God is our authority. It is our power.
Still waters are pockets of water found in the deserts. Streams or flowing rivers are uncommon in the wilderness. It is a place of quiet rest where the sheep will drink and rest. God longs to give us peace, rest, and repose. He takes us to where the water is pure, clear, and almost motionless so we can refresh ourselves in Him. It is a place where we can slow down, be quiet and be still with Him, and experience His deep, pure love intimately. When we trust in Jesus, our Shepherd, we experience the peace that goes beyond all the cares of this life. He overshadows and covers us with peace so that whatever we may face, however difficult the situation, we know all is going to be well.
Resting in Jesus breathes life into our weary soul. When we are weak and tired, Jesus gives us life. When we are spiritually complacent and backslidden, Jesus gives us life. When we don’t care anymore, Jesus gives us life. Resting in Jesus andd trusting in Jesus will revive us to once again to experience the abundant life. When you spend time beside the still waters, you are filled with a joy that overcomes every concern that you have. In the midst of the most difficult situations in our lives, a Christian can be filled with joy. Knowing that Jesus is in control puts a smile on our face.
When you go white-water rafting you have to listen to a class given by the instructors before you start. They will teach you how to survive if you are tossed out from the raft in a turbulent and fierce current. The best way and the only way to survive is to remain still, and let the current spit you out. Fighting the current or trying to swim out of the fierce current is going to make you tired. God told Moses at the Red Sea: “The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to keep still.” (Exodus 14:14). It is very difficult to stay still in a frightening situation. But being still shows our trust that God is bigger than our challenges and that even when we are uncertain, God is faithful to us. He will take us to the still waters.
Jesus said, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (John 14:27).
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