“He makes me to lie down in green pastures” Psalm 23:4. This speaks to us of rest; the shepherd had led the flock to tender green pastures where they had eaten to full satisfaction and now lay resting, chewing their cud. Having been born and raised a country boy I do not recall ever looking at ruminates (cud-chewing animals) that were looking worried, fearful, or distressed while chewing their cud. The fact that they are here spoken of as lying down in green pastures indicates to me that they have eaten to the full and now lie contented and restful! We live in a world, both spiritual and physical, that is filled with unrest, dissatisfaction, and lack of peace; we look to governments, agreements, pleasures, entertainment, possessions, parties, friends, Etc. but there is no real and lasting rest and peace outside of Christ our good shepherd’s care, see John 10:11, 14. God asks this question in Isaiah 55:2, “Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy?” And then He calls us to “Listen carefully to Me and eat what is good, And let your soul delight itself in abundance.” In Matthew 11:28-29 Jesus invites “all…who labor and are heavy laden” to come to Him, saying, “I will give you rest…for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” This is the rest that brings abundant satisfaction as we drink from the river of His pleasures, see Psalm 36:8. “There remains therefore a rest for the people of God” Hebrews 6:9; I believe this is both future, heavenly, and present, earthly, rest into which God invites us to enter!
Peace and rest
By Rose Hill
Jesus says, “Come to Me”,
And from your worry you will be free.
My sheep always will be blessed,
With My peace and soul rest.
Scripture quotations are from the New King James Version copyright …1982 by Thomas Nelson Co. Used by permission.