Tuesday - October 21, 2008

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Psalm 23



The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.

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

he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.

Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.

Surely goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.


(NIV)
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The Peace of the Sheep

by
Tim Trumper


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He leads me beside the still waters. (Psalm 23:2b NKJV)

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The plentiful lakes and rivers in my adopted home of Michigan make
desperation for water difficult to imagine. The first readers of
Psalm 23 could anticipate just two seasons of rain per year: the
early and later rains. The rest of the year was dry. How the sheep
appreciated the shepherd leading them beside waters of rest! Not only
did the waters quench their thirst, they also helped the sheep to
digest the grass on which they fed.


Water is one picture Scripture gives us of the Holy Spirit. Like
water, the Spirit supplies the sheep with vitality and helps them to
digest the grass of God's Word. God's Word without the Spirit is a
dry orthodoxy that fills the head but leaves the heart untouched.
God's Spirit without the Word is an empty mysticism that excites the
soul but fails to nourish it. In short, God's Spirit and Word,
although distinct, are both necessary for the health of his sheep.


The waters the Lord leads us beside are still or quiet. Slow-running
waters are the only ones sheep will drink from. David reminds us that
while troubles can be blessed to us, we need seasons of peace as
well.



Lord, grant me days of peace for refreshment and nourishment by your
Spirit and Word, through Jesus I pray. Amen.