Pleasant Pastures
He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters" Psalm 23:2
What a lovely sight is presented to us in this verse! What a beautiful picture! Here is the active devoted Shepherd, in the midst of his flock; and here are the healthy, happy sheep and lambs around him, enjoying his care, and the provisions to which he leads them.
What an exemplary Shepherd is Jesus! Surely as under shepherds we should keep the eye fixed on him, and regulate our conduct by his. Jesus, having accepted the flock from his Father, having taken charge of it — is careful of every member of it. And in order to take care of the whole, he lives among them, and personally attends to them. "Surely" said he, "I am with you always." "Wherever two or three are gathered together in my name — there am I in the midst of them." "I will never leave you, nor ever forsake you." Precious promises these! What a sweet assurance they give us!
Our good Shepherd, gently leads his flock, kindly draws them after him — but never harshly drives them before him. Sweetly and beautifully does he fulfill the words of the prophet, "He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young." Glorious Shepherd! Happy flock!
The provision made by this Shepherd for his flock is sweet and pleasant. Green pastures — or fresh, budding, tender grass. Not the coarse, half-dried, grass which we sometimes see — but the young and fresh. This is intended to represent the Word and ordinances of God. The inspired Word, which contains . . .
the choicest histories,
the profoundest mysteries,
the most glorious doctrines,
the simplest precepts,
the most precious promises,
the intricate providences,
the most gracious covenants,
and the most tender cautions.
Here is food for the tender lambs — and for the strong and full grown sheep.
Then, the ordinances . . .
of prayer and praise,
of preaching and hearing,
of baptism and the Lord's supper,
of domestic worship and closet duties;
in each and all of these, the sheep of Christ find pleasant pasturage.
These green pastures are . . .
rich, and feed the soul;
suitable, and fit every case;
plentiful, and can never be exhausted —
therefore the flock of Jesus can never lack.
Then, there are the quiet waters — a beautiful figure, representing the presence and grace of the Holy Spirit in the church. These are not like noisy, roaring, rattling torrents — but are waters of quietness, waters of rest. They are pure and clean, refreshing and healing, invigorating and satisfying, deep and ever flowing!
In allusion to them, Jesus says, "If any man thirsts — let him come unto me and drink." "He who drinks of the water that I shall give him, shall never thirst." Or without the figure, "I will send you another Comforter, who shall abide with you forever." The Father is the fountain of living waters, from which these streams flow; therefore the Holy Spirit is said toproceed from the Father. Jesus and his perfect work is the channel in which these waters run; therefore said he, "If I do not go away, the Comforter will not come — but if I depart, I will send him unto you."
Not more necessary is the Shepherd's watchful care, or the green pastures provided for the flock — than are the grace and influences of the Holy Spirit. We are therefore exhorted "To live in the Spirit," "To walk in the Spirit," "To sow to the Spirit;" and are said to "Drink into that one Spirit." With Jesus for our Shepherd, with the word and ordinances for our food; and with the Holy Spirit to quench and satisfy the thirst of our souls — we may well be happy!
The flock is represented as enjoying their provision. They lie down in the green pastures, not only cropping the grass — but ruminating and growing fat upon it. So we must not only hear, or read, or pray — but we must MEDITATE. Free from all care and alarm, the sheep lie at the Shepherd's feet — so we, casting all our cares on Jesus, and feeling that we are free from all cause of alarm in his presence — should meditate in his statutes, on his person, offices, and work; on his promises, grace, and glory; until we can say, "You satisfy me more than the richest feast. I will praise you with songs of joy. I lie awake thinking of you, meditating on you through the night!"
They are led beside the quiet waters. Morning and evening, as the thirst of the soul is felt — we must be led to the Holy Spirit, in order to enjoy his recovering, refreshing, and satisfying influences. No satisfaction, no growth, for the sheep — without the quiet waters! Just so, no satisfaction of soul, no growth in grace for us — without the Holy Spirit. The Spirit always leads us to Jesus — but Jesus leads us to, or confers on us, the Holy Spirit. The Spirit's work within us, is as necessary, as the Savior's work for us! Blessed Jesus, fill us with your Spirit, and indulge us to lie down in peace, safety, and satisfaction, in the green pastures which you have provided for your people.
My soul, is Jesus your Shepherd? Do you hear his voice speaking to you day by day? Do you know his voice, distinguishing it from all others? Do you obey his voice, following him wherever he goes? All the sheep of Jesus know their Shepherd, love their Shepherd, and follow their Shepherd. "His sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger's voice."
Are you thus happy? Does he cause you to lie down in green pastures? Does he lead you by the quiet waters? Do you enjoy religion, being led into it by Jesus himself? Is it your food and drink, your pleasure and profit?
Precious Lord Jesus, take me more than ever under your care. Feed me in your green pastures, and cause me to lie down — for I am often hungry, restless, and weary. Lead me beside your quiet waters — for I am thirsty, parched, and feverish! Let me share in the privileges of your flock, and enjoy the safety and repose of your fold. I wish to be yours. Yours wholly. Yours only. Yours forever. Yours to enjoy your love. Yours to do your will. Yours to glorify your name. Call me closer to you than ever. Commune with me more sweetly than ever. Consecrate me to you more entirely than ever. Crown me with your loving-kindness and tender mercy, more conspicuously than ever. O to be always with Jesus, just like Jesus, and wholly taken up with Jesus!
Next Part Folly and Fidelity