![]() Unless we intentionally create time for renewal and rest, it will not happen. ![]() It is all about our response to His authority in our lives! We must be willing to obey when He makes us lie down in green pastures and willing to follow Him when He leads us beside still waters. We must believe that Jesus, our Good Shepherd, can be trusted and will meet our needs. Have you surrendered your life to Jesus, the Good Shepherd? Are you following His leading? Are you looking to Him to meet your needs and provide everything you need? Or are you trying to control your circumstances and follow your plans? “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 NIV The Lord will lead us along safe and good paths that are best suited for us and the good plans He has for us. His name represents His character, and God always acts according to His Character. He leads us down these paths for His name’s sake, in accordance with all that His name represents, i.e., goodness, love, faithfulness, holiness, etc. The Good Shepherd leads us down paths of righteousness or right paths to guide us into truth. It is vital to allow Him to lead us and not be determined to follow our own plans.īe still, and know that I am God I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! Psalm 46:10 Are you spending quiet time with the Good Shepherd so that He can lead and guide you as you listen to His voice?ĭuring our quiet time with Him in prayer, worship, and meditating on His Word listening for His voice, we can get to know Him more intimately with a revelation of who He is and what He has planned for our lives. They are a place where we do not have to be afraid and where we can quench our thirst. ![]() ![]() Still waters refer to waters that are quiet, calm, and tranquil. God leads us to Himself, to His living water. It isn’t only about physical rest, but we need time for spiritual restoration and revival. We must also spend time engaging in activities that minister to the soul and spirit and spending time engaging in pleasurable interests. We need to make sure we get enough sleep, eat a healthy diet, exercise frequently and adequately enough, etc. We need to do our part when He makes us lie down in green pastures. We may not recognize the signals that we need to lie down in green pastures, i.e., irritability, negativity, complaining, impatience, etc. We aren’t always as aware of our needs as God is. There is a correlation between our surrender to the care and trust of the shepherd and the rest we receive from Him. To rest, we must be free from fear, distraction, and hunger, etc.įollowing the Shepherd is freeing. It is the shepherd who leads us and makes us feel safe enough to rest. We find safety in our Shepherd, not in our situations. We can feel secure as we rest because our Good Shepherd is watching over us. In other words, He gives rest and refreshment. The shepherd blesses the sheep with nourishment and brings comfort, safety and provides green pastures and water to drink. He restores my soul He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. He makes me to lie down in green pastures He leads me beside the still waters. The LORD is my shepherd I shall not want. We will never lack what we need as we focus on and depend on Jesus, our Good Shepherd. They shall not want because the shepherd is with them. ![]() Their focus is on the shepherd, not their needs. Sheep learn to associate their needs being satisfied with the shepherd. The shepherd meets the sheep’s needs, and they will not lack food and drink, comfort, protection, and safety. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, wants to take care of us, His sheep. ![]()
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