He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters.
One evening I was hanging out with my roommates in my college apartment. For reasons I don’t still remember, two of us decided we’d head to my house to pick up something long since forgotten. It wasn’t a crazy idea. My house was barely a half hour away. I had a little two seat Honda, so two of us packed in and hit the road.
I noticed right away that I was low on gas, but there was no need for alarm since
a. my house wasn’t that far away
b. the car got like a million miles a gallon and
c. the gas light hadn’t come on.
Off we went. We were about a mile from the city limits to my town when we made an important discovery.
The Honda had no gas light.
As we sputtered to a stop, I was reminded again that without gas in the tank, you aren’t getting very far. What followed was an uncomfortable evening of pushing the car to the nearest gas station.
The gas gauge said empty, but I was sure I still had enough. I kept waiting for the light to come on until it was too late.
We all need gas in the tank. Otherwise we aren’t going to get very far. For many of us the gauges are all reading empty but we’re still waiting for the light to come on. Pretty soon you may find yourself sputtering to a halt at the most inopportune time.
Sheep need fuel in the tank too. They’re not the Energizer Bunny. The shepherd’s job is to make sure the sheep get the nourishment and refreshing they need. That is what David is talking about in verse two. The two places where a sheep can fill its tank are green pastures and quiet waters. The good shepherd gets his sheep to that place where they can rest and recharge. Sheep are never in want in part because the shepherd sees to it that they have the provisions they need first in the pasture and stream.
Some of you may be running on empty. This week would you allow the loving Shepherd to lead you to a place where you can refuel and relax? Before you start sputtering, how about following the Shepherd to that sweet place where you can fill up?
Questions for Today
- If you were to read the gauges of your life, how full would you say you are?
- What are some places that you go to fill your life’s tank? Where do you go for nourishment for your soul?
- How at rest do you feel at the moment? Are you consistently stressed or do feel at peace most of the time?
- Where do you think the Good Shepherd may be directing you for refueling and rest?
Prayer for Today
Lord, I know you want to provide all that I need today. You lead me to places that serve to fill me up and give me the nourishment my soul needs. Sometimes I resist going to those places because I am a stubborn sheep who thinks I can find better nourishment elsewhere. I never can though. Help me follow Your leading to those pastures and quiet waters that will bless me. Thank you for being patient with me. Thank you for leading me toward what is best.
Amen.
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