Quiet Waters
27 Sep 2009 6 Comments
in Devotionals2 Tags: chronic, fear, hopekeepers, illness, pain, peace, rest ministries, sandra platt
“The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul.” Psalm 23:1-3 (NIV)
Think of it! The Lord, the creator of all of the universe; is my Shepherd. Little words in a sentence often carry great meaning. The Psalmist David did not write the Lord is “a” Shepherd. No, He claimed, the Lord as “My” Shepherd. King David had an intimate relationship with His Lord.
“He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters.” The Shepherd is the source of life for His sheep. He provides every need and they depend solely upon the Shepherd to keep them safe. When sheep are afraid, they will not lie down. Sheep will not drink from a moving stream, it must be stilled. Therefore the Shepherd must always move about in their midst, providing safety and nourishment, bringing them to stilled waters.
“He restores my soul.” I am a nature lover. Nothing quiets me; nothing restores my soul as much green pastures, being in a beautiful forest, or listening to quiet waters. My husband and I have been in the pastorate for over 18 years. One of the first things we do after a move is to find a State Park or Nature Reserve. A place we could go to for picnics, or just to be quiet and rest from the 24/7 life of a small town pastorate.
Jesus said, “I am the Good Shepherd…I know My sheep and My sheep know Me…and I lay down My life for My sheep.” John 10:14-15
Occasionally the Shepherd has to make us lie down in green pastures. Often in our chronic pain we can become afraid. I am having a time of pain and enforced rest right now. But, as His sheep we can be nourished by His Words, lay and rest in green pastures, and be “stilled” by the waters of quietness. By this our souls will be restored.
“My sheep listen to My voice; I know them and they follow Me. I give them eternal life and they shall never perish.” John 10:27-28
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sandra Platt is a minister’s wife and mother of 2 college aged kids. She lives in a beautiful area of Southern Indiana. She enjoys reading, cross stitching, and being outdoors. She has had chronic pain and health for a number of years. She enjoys the friendships and encouragement of being part of Rest Ministries.
Sep 28, 2009 @ 03:09:54
Sandra, thanks for your writing. I, too, find great help in God’s beautiful creation. It seems the older I get, the more I appreciate it and find true rest, peace and strength from it’s beauty. I pray this resting time will be blessed and long enough but not too long
Sep 28, 2009 @ 05:22:54
This was such a comfort to me today, because I am having so much pain, today.I just had open heat surgery 10 weeks ago and I also have chronic Back problems, I have had 4 back surgeies, and have the 2nd set of steel rods in my back and I need another surgery on my back, but it is to dangerous. so they want to put a stimulator in my back.
I will also have to have my left correded Artery cleaned out soon, because it is 90% blocked, I see the sergeon this Tusday the 29th. All of these meaaages help me alot but this one just hit home for me today and I thank the ones that write these.
Sep 28, 2009 @ 10:36:02
Hi Sandy,
I know this has been a really rough time for you so when you write about the need for resting in God’s green pastures ( and/or other parts of His creation ) I like to see you in such a setting just letting his peace flow onto and into you.
Thanks for reminding all of us of that need.
And prayers for you, Gail! You are really going through so much too with multiple surgeries. Do visit here again and let us know how you are doing as I know that you will be making good progress. We can all be praying for you, okay?
Bless you – all!
Lynn
Sep 29, 2009 @ 07:18:19
Hi Sandra!
Just reading this has calmed my spirit. The Good Shepherd image of our Lord is such a wonderful one. And oh, how I can relate to your love of the beauty of nature to draw you to our Creator, Saviour AND Shepherd!!
Gail, bless you for commenting here. What a blessing to the writers of these devotionals to get such encouraging feedback. May the Good Shepherd carry you in His arms as you face more pain and surgery. And may You sense that He is.
Sep 30, 2009 @ 02:52:29
Thank you dear friends for writing. Gail, please know that you are in my prayers during this prolonged time of surgeries and recoveries. Let us know how you are so we can pray more specifially, and you can be reminded of our care and concern.
The leaves are beginning to change color here in our part of the world, it is almost breath taking.