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Our Great Shepherd: Stopping to Rest

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Psalm 23 is one of the most recognizable passages of Scripture. Its words have been sung, prayed, and illustrated in countless ways, but if we’re not careful we can become so well acquainted with these verses that we forget the power these words hold. To recognize God as our Shepherd means we also have to accept that we are indeed like sheep: dirty, defenseless and helpless. Without a shepherd, the sheep are left to their own devices, which ultimately will lead them to starve, wander off, or be attacked. This week, let’s slow it down, remind ourselves that we are sheep in need of a loving Shepherd.

 

Stopping to Rest

He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.

Psalm 23:2

TuesdayOne of the things that sticks out to me about this verse is the word “makes.” He makes me lie down in green pastures. Sheep are pretty dumb creatures; if you don’t make them lie down to rest, they won’t do it on their own. The Bible referring to us as “sheep” makes more and more sense the more you think about it, doesn’t it?

We work, work, and work until we finally collapse on our bed to “unwind” with some mindless social media browsing and Netflix binges. We try to please one person after another and attempt to be everything for everyone in our lives until we break down. We don’t take a break until we are forced to, and even then we aren’t always thrilled about it. We may even feel guilty about sitting down to take a breath from our responsibilities.

But what a beautiful truth that our Shepherd never tires of creating spaces for us to rest and never tires of making us stop to enjoy that rest! As a part of God’s flock, we are safe under His care and freed from our anxieties because of His protection. Our confidence in His protection allows us to enjoy the simple pleasures He leads us into – the abundance of a green pasture and the peace and refreshment of the quiet stream.

God is constantly leading us into His peace, His rest, and His provisions. We don’t have to feel guilty when we take our rest seriously – because our Shepherd takes our rest seriously too! He has created it for us, and He leads us to it every single day.

Don’t simply pass through the green pastures, abide in them. There you will find peace and restoration you need for the journey ahead. Let the Shepherd lead you into His rest and His peace.

Chelsey

Our Great Shepherd: Sheep-ish Tendencies

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Psalm 23 is one of the most recognizable passages of Scripture. Its words have been sung, prayed, and illustrated in countless ways, but if we’re not careful we can become so well acquainted with these verses that we forget the power these words hold. To recognize God as our Shepherd means we also have to accept that we are indeed like sheep: dirty, defenseless and helpless. Without a shepherd, the sheep are left to their own devices, which ultimately will lead them to starve, wander off, or be attacked. This week, let’s slow it down, remind ourselves that we are sheep in need of a loving Shepherd.

 

Sheep-ish Tendencies

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

Psalm 23:1

Charles Swindoll says that sheep need three things before they are able to rest:

  1. They need to be able to see their shepherd.
  2. They need the safety of the flock.
  3. They need freedom from predators.

MondayWithout these things, sheep will wander until they collapse from exhaustion. They will forgo food and water until all three of these things are fulfilled, but they cannot make these things happen for themselves. All three things have to be taken care of by their shepherd.

A shepherd does everything for his sheep. Everything. He defends, he cares, and he provides. He constantly seeks out the best for his flock, and the flock simply trusts and follows.

Too often I let the sight of my shortcomings stop me in my tracks and get trapped in the mindset that I have to come up with the resources, the wisdom and the right words to say to others. I’m like a sheep who realizes the full inadequacy of my sheep-ness, and I forget about the Shepherd who is showing off His strength in my weaknesses.

Because the Lord is our Shepherd, we lack nothing. We don’t have to be in a constant state of grasping for more stuff, more validation, more love. We can be fully satisfied, full provided for, fully approved of and fully loved by our Shepherd, forever.

When we allow something else to “shepherd” us – our jobs, our relationships, even our ministry – we remain wanting. Outside of our true Shepherd, we will never find the satisfaction our hearts desire. We will be led astray, we will find ourselves vulnerable to attacks, and we will constantly wander until we simply cannot go on.

Embrace your position as a sheep in the flock of God, and trust the Shepherd who goes before you, follows behind and walks alongside of you.

Chelsey

Devoted to Prayer: “In Secret Places”

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“Devote yourselves to prayer … .”
Colossians 4:2, NASB 
“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you … .”
James 4:8 

Amazingly God doesn’t need to hear from us—He wants to. Privileged to pour out our hearts, we receive His comfort in exchange. Prayer intimately and powerfully connects us to God in every place.

 

“Devoted to Prayer: In Secret Places”

 

“But you when you pray, go into your inner room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will repay you.”
Matthew 6:6, NASB

medium_3206459897-214x144Preparing for my son’s high school graduation required colossal effort.  Steadily busy two weeks out, I transitioned into an intense pace the week prior. My biggest challenge involved scanning photos into the computer, sorting them by year, and preparing two slideshow presentations. Though I genuinely desired to create these digital albums—especially for my son’s sake—the fun evaporated after countless hours at my desk. Glitches in formatting certainly didn’t help either. I also had food to purchase, desserts to bake, cakes to decorate, company to clean and cook for, etc. Truly at times I didn’t know how I would accomplish everything.

But I survived! The Lord incredibly carried me. Lovingly, comfortingly, powerfully, He met with me daily in my prayer closet. Time with Him in that special place absolutely made ALL THE DIFFERENCE. Normally I would have fretted about every detail, to the point that inner turmoil would have spilled into family relationships. You know how it is: sometimes we diligently labor for such ideal future results that the present is less than pleasant. Though I didn’t behave perfectly, the Lord undoubtedly provided peace within. As I began each day in prayer and active trust, He led me by His Spirit—even regarding average responsibilities. He cradled me in His arms and supplied all my needs. He encouraged my with His Word. He evidenced Himself in the form of loved ones who graciously helped. Recognizing my stress on graduation night, I prayed again. The Lord gently answered, “I am with you.” Yes, He most assuredly was.

All can access God’s throne of grace through Jesus Christ. When we experience extreme demands or everyday life rigors, let’s take them to Him. Unquestionably He makes ALL THE DIFFERENCE! “His understanding is inscrutable. He gives strength to the weary, And to him who lacks might He increases power … those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength” (Is. 40: 28-29, 31). Oh, SO true! God accomplished this for me … surely He will do the same for you.

Loving Father, thank You for the privilege of prayer. Draw me often to Your “throne of grace … that I may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need” (Heb. 4:16). In Jesus’ powerful name, Amen.

Drawing Near,

Emily

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