PSALM 23

PART FOUR

QUIET WATERS

“He leadeth me beside the still waters…”
PSALM 23:2

Here again we see the relationship between the Shepherd and His sheep, it is one of leading and being lead. We are also reminded that the heart of the ONE that leads us is motivated in binging us to places of rest and peace. We read in the New Testament of one of the criteria of the Great Day of Judgement is that God Himself will separate between the sheep and the goats. Many will say Lord, Lord in that day but it is in the crucible of daily life in our following HIM wheresoever HE goes that we reveal whether we are in truth sheep. Goats do not follow they insist on their own way and have no inherent ability to follow because that is their nature. Nature determines relationship not teaching.

In this particular Psalm we see Him leading us beside still waters (or in the actual Hebrew “Waters of Stillness”). He is ever at work in our lives to bring stillness to the waters of our heart that in all circumstances we may be found resting in HIS Love for us. It is here in the still waters that we are able to see HIS Face most clearly for quiet waters reflect the heavens with a beauty and preciseness that troubled waters will never be able to convey.

“As in water face answereth to face,
so the heart of man to man”
PROVERBS 27:19

It is when we are quiet and at rest that HE most clearly reveals HIS heart and purpose to us. We read of the men and women throughout the Old and New Testament that knew HIM as their Rock, their high tower, their refuge and resting place revealed a quality of character that can only come from relationship and trust. Troubled and bitter waters can only minister strife, anger and resentment because what a person is will be revealed in the waters that flow from their heart.

“Out of the same mouth proceedeth
blessing and cursing. My brethren,
these things ought not so to be.
Doth a fountain send forth at the same place
sweet water and bitter?
JAMES 3:11

This is such a penetrating question and one that we need to guard in reference to the words of our own heart. If we are being lead of HIM over time the waters that flow from our hearts will be filled with the depth of HIS wisdom that flow from a heart that is at rest in God Himself. A man at rest with God reveals HIS way, HIS truth and HIS life at all times. It is to such an end that we pray that HE would continually lead us, that we would faithfully follow and that HE would receive all the glory and praise for HIS goodness and mercy endures forever. AMEN.

Ω

“See in the meantime
that your faith brings forth obedience,
and God in due time
will cause it to bring forth peace”
John Owen

Brian Troxel