Psalm 23:2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures: he leads me beside the still waters. Three things are needed ere sheep or human spirits can rest. I. A CONSCIOUSNESS OF SAFETY. Who can rest so long as eternal destinies lie uncertainly in the balance? Against this our Shepherd Jesus has provided. He has Himself met the great adversary of our souls, and has forever broken his power. II. SUFFICIENCY OF FOOD. A hungry sheep will not lie down. The shepherd who can provide it with plenty of good pasturage will soon bring the most restless animal to lie contentedly. We can never rest so long as the hunger of the spirit is unappeased and its thirst unslaked. There is no answer to the unrest of the inward man until the voice of Jesus is heard saying, "He that cometh to Me shall never hunger." The Word of God may be compared to green pastures. There are many spiritual realities corresponding to the waters of rest. III. OBEDIENCE TO THE SHEPHERD'S LEAD. The tenderest shepherd cannot bring the flock to rest unless they follow him. This test of following the Shepherd's lead is most important. It is by no means wonderful that we lose our rest when we run hither and thither, following the devices and desires of our own hearts. We substitute our plans for His. We do not look up often enough to see which way He is going, and what He would have us do. Ann so our rest is broken. We must follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth. (F. B. Meyer, B. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.WEB: He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. |
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