This is Day 2 of my 31 Days of Rest & Replenishment series I'm writing as part of the Write 31 Days challenge. To see the complete series, visit 31 Days of Rest & Replenishment.
Sometimes when I read the bible I am just mentally "passing through." It's all good but nothing grabs my attention. At other times I come to passages that I know immediately I should stop and study and let sink in for awhile. Recently I have parked myself, so to speak, at Psalm 23. Maybe it was the picture of lying in green pastures or sitting bedside still waters - or just lying and sitting at all - that made me want to stay awhile. Actually, it was "He restores my soul" that really got me. Yes, some of that, please.
Nevermind, it was the whole thing.
In short, the entire passage illustrates many ways we can rest assured our needs are met by the Lord, our Good Shepherd. Something I need to dwell on more often (meaning, all the time).
When I started my latest exploration into Psalm 23, I had to grab A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23 by Phillip Keller off my bookshelf once again. Being the perfect blend of poetry and simplicity, Psalm 23 certainly stands alone and doesn't need any additional commentary to be understood or appreciated. However, Keller's book provides profound insights that could only come from a shepherd. While the truths he shares run deep, his candor in writing makes these truths easily understood. It's a classic gem that I cannot recommend highly enough and I am sure a good amount of his quotes will be shared in this series. Which brings us to some closing thoughts for today's post:
Nevermind, it was the whole thing.
In short, the entire passage illustrates many ways we can rest assured our needs are met by the Lord, our Good Shepherd. Something I need to dwell on more often (meaning, all the time).
When I started my latest exploration into Psalm 23, I had to grab A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23 by Phillip Keller off my bookshelf once again. Being the perfect blend of poetry and simplicity, Psalm 23 certainly stands alone and doesn't need any additional commentary to be understood or appreciated. However, Keller's book provides profound insights that could only come from a shepherd. While the truths he shares run deep, his candor in writing makes these truths easily understood. It's a classic gem that I cannot recommend highly enough and I am sure a good amount of his quotes will be shared in this series. Which brings us to some closing thoughts for today's post:
"It is significant that [for sheep] to be at rest there must be a definite sense of freedom from fear, tension, aggravations and hunger. The unique aspect of the pictures is that it is only the sheepman himself who can provide release from these anxieties..."
It doesn't take a rocket scientist - or a shepherd - to know that fear, tensions, aggravations and hunger can all significantly hinder our ability to rest. Anyone can say, "I could rest if it wasn't for _________________" and if we're struggling with rest it isn't hard for us to readily fill in that blank. Knowing this, I've always thought it was my duty to take care of these things. While we do have responsibilities the truth is that regardless of how well we take care of these matters something new is always going to come up. We mind our business, but ultimately the freedom from fear, tension, aggravations and anxiety is dependent on the One who can ultimately control and deliver us from these things.
"...Then in the midst of our misfortunes there suddenly comes the awareness that He, the Christ, the Good Shepherd is there. It makes all the difference. His presence in the pictures throws a different light on the whole scene. Suddenly things are not half so black nor nearly so terrifying. The outlook chances and there is hope. I find myself delivered from fear. Rest returns and I can relax." (Phillip Keller, A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23)
There are many different aspects and forms of rest, but today we start with inner rest because it is the one aspect that can hinder or enable all the other forms of rest we'll explore this month. And just knowing the simple truth that this inner rest is provided by the Good Shepherd, and not something I must provide for myself, is greatly comforting. Even if He doesn't remove whatever is causing these discomforts right away, knowing He is in control does afford me peace and rest.