Psalm 23:2

“He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters.”

Since Yahweh is our Shepherd, He will make sure of our safety and welfare, because we are His sheep through Jesus Christ His Son (John 1:12). In our second installment of this devotion, we will see how David breaks down some of the details on how Yahweh assures His safety. In this verse, there are two elements that show Yahweh’s work as a Shepherd to all His sheep.

First of all, it is obvious that the one who makes David “lie down in green pastures” is Yahweh. What does “lie down” mean? It simply means “laying something”. In other words, Yahweh is the one who “lays”, “puts”, or “places” David in “green pastures” – a place where he can have rest, can eat, and grow”. It is an intentional action to put someone in a certain position toward growth. God puts David in a place that no one will reject and will cause someone to desire it as well because it is good and beautiful.

So, what would be the implication of this verse for us today?

Yahweh is faithful and an infinitely wise Shepherd. He will never place or lay His sheep and flocks in a place of danger and hunger but rather in a place of growth. You may think and ask, “Why do some of our brethren in some parts of the globe experience hunger and persecution”? “I thought God would never do that”. Growth doesn’t dismiss the reality of pain, and hunger doesn’t always mean an empty stomach.

David depicts the work of God in him in a figurative language. God would rather allow us to feel the hunger physically for a little while for us to be filled with His presence by the Word and Spirit.

God may allow physical suffering for a little moment or prolong it to create the right attitude in our hearts and minds so that we will not be tempted and deceived by the snare of the enemies who use “lust of the flesh” (psychical desires), to destroy us.

Yahweh is definitely concerned about our body, but He is more concerned about our souls and spiritual life, “for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come” (1 Tim. 4:8). The idea here deals about our spiritual relationship with God which also reflects our body.

Secondly, aside from a place of growth is that Yahweh “leads David beside quiet waters”. The attitude of a Shepherd is always intentional and decisive for the sake of His flock. “Leads” means “to direct”. He already has a plan in mind for us. He is not double-minded.

Yahweh directs us where He wants us to be. “Quiet waters” means a “resting place” where a sheep can find “peace”, “rest”, and “sustenance”. It is like a “water station” in the middle of the desert field for a tired sheep.

The point of this is Yahweh directs us to a place of “refreshment”, “renewal”, and “peace”.

But how?

The answer is Jesus Christ. Through the Holy Spirit in us, and His pure and sure word. And before we forget, prayer is also God’s way to guide us because, in this spiritual practice, we become sensitive to God’s convictions and inclinations which are created by the Spirit of God in us. These are called the ordinary means of the grace of God for us to grow and experience peace, refreshment, and love by our faithful Shepherd Yahweh.

He made us grow. Yahweh is our sustainer and provider. God is at work in us and for our growth. May the Lord bless us in Christ.