Beside Still Waters

He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters. (Psalm 23:2)

Is there anything as refreshing as a cool drink of water? Throughout the day, we consume a lot of different fluids. For some people, it's coffee or tea, juices or lemonade, adult beverages or soda. Yet, with all the choices the world offers, ultimately our bodies need -- our bodies crave -- simple, God-given water.

When you're going for a walk, or mowing the lawn, exercising in some way or simply exerting yourself more than usual, often the very first thing you want (after a breather) is pure, refreshing water.

Indeed, we love water so much, we find its very presence peaceful and calming. It's as though our spiritual selves long to be near it just as much as our physical bodies require it for survival. We build our homes next to it. We plan activities around it. We'll sit and stare at it for hours.

Maybe this need -- this physical, emotional, spiritual need -- is why Jesus talked about the Water of Life.

“Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” (John 4:13-14)

As the Good Shepherd, Jesus knows our desires... but more than that, He knows our needs. It's our nature to drink. It's God's nature to lead us to the still, peaceful water of Life.

He Makes Me To Lie Down in Green Pastures

He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters. (Psalm 23:2)

There is something peaceful about green pastures and still waters. The whole scene, set in just those two sentences, whispers, "rest," for those weary enough to need it. Later in the psalm, we'll learn about a valley of a shadow of death, and about enemies being present... so this respite, this calm interlude, is made that much more important.

Indeed, in the busyness of our lives, in the day-to-day drama of living out our lives for Christ, in a world that increasingly values Self above all else, I find that I seek rest more and more. In the constant noise of our bustling age of electronic everything, how sweet it is to find that quiet place and relax in the presence of the Shepherd!

Jesus again echoes the Psalm when He says,

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (John 14:27)

Yet, there's even more blessing in these pastures than simple rest. A shepherd himself, David knows that green pastures aren't merely bedding for tired sheep; they are also nourishment. A part of the rest offered here is the knowledge that their needs are being met. That they can rise at any time and partake in the abundant grass around them. 

This is what it means to rest in the abundant life of Christ: to lie down in green pastures, knowing the Shepherd is keeping watch, that He has met our needs, that He has it under control.

He Will Be Called: Prince of Peace

For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given,
    and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
    Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)

There is, perhaps, no greater time than the Christmas season to remember that Jesus is our Prince of Peace.

In the chaos of gift-shopping, and the usual, subsequent fretting over bills... in the working to catch up and make ends meet... in the worry and excitement that comes with seeing family... we get so caught up in celebrating the birth of Jesus that we often forget to take the time out and seek Him. To breathe. To meditate on our wonderful Savior. 

To find Peace. That all-too-elusive reality, so rare it can often feel like mere sentiment. 

Peace, for when my world is spinning out of my control; when the work is piling up, when the dishes and laundry and bedrooms and children all need cleaned; when the bills are coming in faster than the money to pay them; when everyone seems to be moving quicker than I can ever keep up.

Peace, for when my Spirit is frantic, then worn out, then restless again; when sleep won't come; when my well of tears is long since dry; when I wonder, to the depths of my soul, just how God expects me to succeed in the face of my own human tendency to fail. 

Peace, for when we're caught up in the wonder and the glory and the mystery of God, and are then reminded by the Enemy how truly unworthy we really are. 

One of my favorite songs is by Rich Mullins. It is a prayer, a cry, and a heartbroken plea:
Hold me, Jesus,
For I'm shaking like a leaf
You have been King of my Glory
Would you be my Prince of Peace?

Save Tomorrow For Tomorrow

The hits just keep coming,  as more and more bad news filters out of the Middle East. We watch the growing unrest, and have to wonder: what's coming next? Is this it? Is this the beginning of the End? I'll be honest: I don't know, and I'm not going to speculate. I was not gifted with prophetic insight and, though I could probably make a few guesses here and there, they would be only that: guesses.

But you know what? The good news is, we don't have to guess. As a matter of fact, Jesus says that, if we are focused on those things over which we have no control, we're missing the point.

Matthew 6:33-34 says, "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

As Christ-followers, we have things we need to focus on. A job to do. To "Go into the world and make disciples..." We are not to focus on tomorrow, because we have work to do today. Instead, we know that Our God knows what's coming tomorrow, and the day after, and the day after that, until the End of the Age. He doesn't want us focusing on that, which is why He said we'll never know (Matthew 24:36).

We must, for sure, be concerned about those living and working under these terrifying circumstances. We must lift them up to God in prayer. But let us do that today,  and focus on God's work for us this moment, and give tomorrow to the One who already knows how it all turns out.