Green Pastures, Still Waters

He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters 

Psalm 23:2

Christ meets our physical needs. The most fundamental need a sheep has is food and water. These are critical to life. It is important for us to realize David was writing this in the climatic context of the Middle East. Good pasture and good water are not always plentiful. There are years of little or no rain. Pastures brown and waters dry up. The shepherd who knows his job and his territory knows his responsibility is to place his sheep in good pasture where there is drinkable water. This is the only way they will thrive and not merely survive, or worse, weaken and die. The shepherd undertakes to guarantee the welfare of his flock by meeting these most basic needs. Christ undertakes to do this for His people. David said, ‘He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.’ Christ tells us He will care for us. He preached, ‘Therefore do not worry, saying, What shall we eat? Or What shall we drink? Or What shall we wear? For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.’ He wants us to trust Him for these basic necessities. He taught His disciples to pray, ‘Give us this day our daily bread.’ Thus Christ, being well aware of what He has promised, is as good as His word. What He did for David, and for all His people of faith before us, He will do for us. David’s experience of Christ’s faithfulness will be ours. 

O, Great Shepherd of the sheep, 
we rejoice that You know what we need the most. 
We praise You that You move to meet those needs. 

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning