Green Pastures

Green Pastures

Psalm 23 is known by most as a restful Psalm. Yet, it this life, we humans seem anything but restful. We are driven to produce to strive for perfection, to beat the other and compete for an earthly prize that will rust or rot. Perhaps that’s why God causes David, the shepherd boy, to write such an important Psalm, hymn or song of life.

“He makes us to lie down in green pastures” (Psalm 23:2).  Yes, God makes, forces us to lie down, often kicking and screaming. That is such a sad image of selfish, misdirected humanity. Rest is something we just don’t understand. Oh, we may watch some violent or sex dripping TV serial, or read a book of the same ilk. But do we seek the only place where we can find rest? That place is in God’s presence. It is seeking after the face of God. “All who are weary and heavy laden” Jesus says to us, “Come!  and find rest. But we keep on going.  Sheep do that. In fact, sheep don’t sleep, they are too worried about predators and insects and food.  Sound familiar? Yes, we are like sheep who have gone astray, our own way.

Psalm42 says, “As a deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God” (Psalm 42:1-2). Where is your God? This Psalm asks. Where do you find rest? Psalm 62 says, “Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him.

Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.” We find rest in God alone; He is our “Green Pasture.” He causes or makes us to lie down in the green, verdant places. Here is nourishment and life. Here there is safety and along still waters of life giving streams. Here we need to rest and drink in His strength for the journey. “Green Pastures” of grass often surrounded by green leafed trees. Leaves produce O2 our life giving air. Without oxygen we die. Without God we die spiritually. We are body, mind and spirit and must find God to live. Those who doubt or are searching, give Him a try. You will not be sorry.