Dear Missionary Lady,
Greetings in the name of our gentle and compassionate God who lovingly provides us with relief on our journey. The next phrase in Psalm 23 is “He leadeth me beside the still waters.” This one was also personal for David.
If the sheep are walking beside still (quiet, peaceful) waters, then it is not a place of treacherous terrain. It would seem then to be a relaxed and manageable part of the journey, a place of beauty and refreshment, of pleasure and relief, of retreat and reprieve.
It is a level path, simple for the sheep to follow as they walk after the Shepherd. “Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain [level] path, because of mine enemies” (Ps. 27:11). “Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness” (Ps. 143:10). God knows just what the threats are and just what path we need. He is able to gently and clearly guide us in that good way.
It is a place of peace, without fears or drama. “The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace” (Ps. 29:11). “Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child” (Ps. 131:2). This is a place where we can rest quietly in the care of our God, peacefully leaning on Him and enjoying His blessings.
It is a calm and placid place where danger does not threaten. “Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues” (Ps. 31:20). “For He hath delivered me out of all trouble: and mine eye hath seen his desire upon mine enemies” (Ps. 54:7). “Let the wicked fall into their own nets, whilst that I withal escape” (Ps. 141:10). Whether a high mountain pasture beside a peaceful lake, or a lush valley next to a meandering stream, the calm waters mark a place where for now the enemy is not threatening and life is quiet and without stress.
My question is when David ever experienced this in his life. He was a man of war who spent years on the run and more years in constant battles. Where were the peaceful and relaxed retreats? Perhaps he was remembering the years in his father’s household, when he sat on a hillside tending the sheep (I Sam. 16:11). It could have been his time of favor in Saul’s palace (I Sam. 16:22-23; 18:1-5). It could have been the brief respite at the beginning of his marriage to Michal, before Saul began his active pursuit (I Sam. 18:27-30). It could have been after each of the occasions when Saul relented for a time and agreed to leave David in peace (I Sam. 19:6-7; 24:17-22; 26:25) or when God providentially provided a reprieve (I Sam. 23:27-29). David spent a year and four months in Ziklag, during which Saul left him alone (I Sam. 27:4-7). David may have remembered when he became established in Hebron after the death of Saul and he was anointed king of Judah (II Sam. 2:1-4), or again when Israel united to make him king over all the tribes (II Sam. 5:3-4), or when he was restored to his rightful place after the rebellion of Absalom (II Sam. 19:8-40).
It amazes me to realize that there are so many instances when God provided David with these peaceful interludes. I think of David as constantly facing conflict, and that is a good summary of his life in general, but it was not every moment of his life. David’s kind Shepherd graciously interspersed the conflicts with moments of peace. Some of these lasted just a few days or weeks, but they were welcome and refreshing pauses in the midst of the drama and conflict. Almost certainly there were other times that the Bible does not record. I think sometimes the quiet waters were found at unexpected times and in unexpected places, temporary refreshment on otherwise difficult paths.
What a blessing to walk beside the quiet waters, enjoying the peaceful interludes. As we are relaxed from the threat of dangers, we can simply relish the peace and joy of our walk with the Shepherd. Life is not always this way, but our loving God graciously provides us with these times of reprieve. Upon reflection, we might discover that they are more numerous than we realized. Certainly, they sometimes come when we least expect them - mercies from God when we need them most, even as trouble and conflict swirls around us.
I’m praying today that if you are especially in need of time beside the quiet waters, that God would gently lead you and give you a refreshing time of reprieve. Otherwise, I hope you will rejoice in remembering the many times that God has done this for you. He is our good and loving Shepherd.
Love in Christ,
Peggy Holt
member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA
No comments:
Post a Comment