If we are in the flock of God, our Good Shepherd takes the responsibility to lead and guide us. Where does He lead us? Firstly, He leads us into rest. Jesus makes us “lie down in green pastures and He leads us beside still waters.” The main point here is not feeding or drinking but resting. Maybe you find it hard to rest. There is a problem you need to solve, an overwhelming challenge you face, or some fear you are battling. You feel like you can’t rest until you have the answer. But you can lie down and rest when you know the Shepherd controls your circumstances. Like sheep, rest does not come easily to us, thus it says, “He makes me lie down.”
Recently I watched a short documentary about shepherds leading their sheep in the east. The dry deserts are enormous, and lack much rain, yet the shepherds find places where the moisture gathers during the morning dew and where the sheep can graze on small bushes or grass which grow close to the stones which hold the moisture. Just so our Good Shepherd leads us, even when we are going through dry, challenging times. All we need to do is to trust Him totally.
“He makes me lie down in green pastures; He restores my soul.” (V 3) It is when we rest in our Lord, that He can restore and renew us. The verse continues; “He leads/guides me in paths of righteousness FOR HIS NAME’S SAKE.” We don’t have to do the work when our Good Shepherd leads us to rest and into His righteousness. Jesus does the work as our Father. “Those who are led by the Spirit, are sons/daughters of God.” (Rom. 8:14) We need to yield to the Spirit of God, obey Him and follow Him willingly. That brings about much peace and security. Sheep fear strong moving water because if they fall into it, their thick wool will absorb the water and they will become heavy and drown. Therefore, the Shepherd leads us to “still/calm” waters where we can drink His living waters peacefully, without fear.
The rest which Christ calls us to do, leads to quiet trust and righteousness. This righteousness is to “be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith…” (Phil.3:9) We become right with God through the righteousness Jesus gives us. It’s His righteousness, not ours, therefore we can rest in Him and hunger for more of Him. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness for they will be filled.” (Matt.5:6)
“He guides me in paths of righteousness for His Name’s sake.” Isaiah 43:25 says, “I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions, for My own sake, and remembers your sins no more.” God forgives us, matures us, and uses us for HIS name’s sake and for His glory.
Thank You precious Lord, that You are my Good Shepherd, that You never give up on me, that You lead and guide me, that You grant me rest and refresh me, so that I can enter Your paths of righteousness, for Your sake and Your glory. Please help me to be a blessing to the rest of Your flock, and to those who do not yet belong to You. Give me Your heart of love to feel compassion for a hungry and needy world, for Your Name’s sake, Amen.
Myrtle Turunen