He Is My Shepherd

admin — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 17:49:03 +0000

“The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength.” (NLT)

These familiar words begin Psalm 23, a Psalm attributed to King David that contrasts God’s loving care for His children with the way a shepherd loves and cares for his sheep. He makes sure that they are fed, rested and protected. Sheep are gentle and harmless creatures, so the shepherd guides them toward lush pastures. They are easily startled so he tries to keep them in peaceful settings. They spend about fifteen percent of their time sleeping, but may lie down and rest at other times. If they become stressed or agitated, the shepherd encourages them to lie down and rest.

The behavior of sheep is often compared to the behavior of human beings. Like sheep, we don’t always allow ourselves enough time to lie down and rest. Our busy, high-stress lifestyle keeps us going….and going….and going.

I experienced the wonderful benefits of stopping to rest when I spent a day at my favorite spa recently. I didn’t even bother to book a treatment, I just spent time doing absolutely nothing, enjoying the environment. It was a total feast for the senses, from the soft neutral tones of the décor to the herbal aromas and meditative music playing softly in the background and of course the sensation of being swaddled in a warm robe, fresh from the robe sauna. I was somewhere between the Roman baths and the mineral pools when I began to think about Psalm 23. As a busy wife, mother, pastor and author much of my life is in perpetual motion. So it’s easy to bypass the benefits of doing absolutely nothing. Although there have been times when God has “made me lie down,” I am learning to take time out to “rest in green meadows’. This was one of those times. As I relaxed on the heated thermal stone chaise lounge, I continued to think… about nothing. I let my mind drift as I compared the soft colors in the room. Do you know the difference between beige, eggshell, ivory and ecru? Neither do I, and it didn’t really matter. I was just drifting.

During this time of total relaxation I realized that I was being renewed – from the inside out! My stillness made me more aware of God’s never-ending supply. He will always supply my needs according to His riches, which are quite substantial! I was reminded that He is my shepherd and I will always have all that I need.

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He Is My Shepherd