Green Pastures
“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.”
Psalms 23:1-2
We have the best looking lawn in the neighborhood.
But, I can’t take any credit for it. A new neighbor moved in the other side of our duplex last year. He and his wife had just sold their “farm”. He was used to taking care of several acres of land, keeping the grass cut and watered.
Now, he focuses on the small lawns in front of their apartment and ours.
His meticulous work has yielded an amazing, lush, green lawn.
Psalm 23:1-2 speaks of green pastures.
“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.”
Michael McKelvey says:
“In the Hebrew, the text literally reads, “In pastures of grass, he makes me to lie down; upon waters of rest, he guides me.” In the semi-arid landscape of ancient Palestine, grazing land was not abundant. Shepherds would have to guide their flocks to the places with enough grass for their sheep. The shepherd needed to know where to go, the best route to take, and the pace at which to drive the flock. There would likely be dry and difficult terrain to cross, as well as untold dangers from wild beasts and thieves along the way.”
Life can be like the arid desert. I’m so thankful that we have a Shepherd who leads us and nourishes us in pastures of green.
No matter what comes your way, keep following the Shepherd. He will lead you and provide for you.
Let our prayer today be the words of the hymn Savior Like a Shepherd Lead Us…
“Savior, like a shepherd lead us,
Much we need Thy tender care;
In Thy pleasant pastures feed us,
For our use Thy folds prepare:
Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus,
Thou hast bought us, Thine we are;
Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus,
Thou hast bought us, Thine we are.”
