Green Pastures and Still Waters

“He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul…” - Psalm 23:2-3

This is where the journey starts. The beautiful thing about this is that God always leads with rest. He restores your soul to ready you for the journey ahead. He doesn’t ask us to work for rest, but from rest.

Just look at the creation story. On the 6th day, God created man, and then told him to rest on the 7th. Adam’s first full day in creation was spent resting with God. 

“Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.” Genesis 2:3

We see this again in 1 Kings 19:4-8 when Elijah is fleeing the persecution of Jezebel. He thinks he’s reached the end of the road, but God provides food and rest for him then sends him on a 40 day journey.

The green pasture represents the word of God. This is what we feast on. It’s always fresh, always rich, and never exhausted. God begins the journey with an invitation to rest in His promises, and be filled so we can be sustained for the rest of the journey ahead.

This is critical. It’s our lifeline. When things get dark, the word of God is our light in the darkness.

Clinging to the word of God is what will prepare us for the journey ahead and sustain us as we go.

“Open my eyes that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.” - Psalm 119:18

God’s word is full of wondrous things, we need only eyes to see it. Our eyes are opened by the Holy Spirit who helps us interpret the things of God. 

The still water represents the Holy Spirit, who, like water, has several roles to play as our Helper. He cleanses, refreshes, and quenches our thirst.

“But whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The waters that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”  - John 4:14

The waters are still and deep because the Holy Spirit is all about peace, and there’s so much more of it than we can fathom.

“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 4:7

When you find yourself in this place on the journey, drink it in. This is your preparation. This is the season of storing up provisions for the road ahead. Dig into the word as much as you can, and lean into the refreshing presence of God. Keep your ears open to hear what He wants to tell you.