The Lord is my Shepherd [to feed, guide, and shield me], I shall not lack. He makes me lie down in [fresh, tender] green pastures; He leads me beside the still and restful waters. He refreshes and restores my life (my self); He leads me in the paths of righteousness [uprightness and right standing with Him—not for my earning it, but] for His name’s sake. Psalm 23:1-3 AMPC
Due to a technical issue Wednesday evening I wasn’t able to post Thursday’s devotion. But like always God’s hand was in it. I didn’t realize it until Lester and I took our morning walk. As we began to walk down into the orchard on the cool grass glistening from the rain the night before, Abba began to speak to my heart.
Only fifteen hours before we were walking on dry crunchy grass. The leaves on the trees were looking droopy and the corn in the field next door was becoming withered looking. When the corn plants get dry the leaves get stiff and stand upright like they’re reaching up for water to be refreshed. But now we were walking in grass that got greener overnight. It was cool and soft once again and walking in my bare feet felt refreshing. The corn leaves were once again blowing in the breeze as they turned down at their ends towards the ground. What benefits some rain can do in a short period of time.
I know Psalm 23 is familiar, but take time to re-read it in the Amplified Bible and how descriptive it is, you can almost see and feel yourself being led and cared for as a sheep. Not having a care in the world because you’re being cared for. You’re enjoying the lush, cool surroundings. You’re being refreshed and restored and it’s not you doing anything, but just resting and enjoying in what is being provided for you. Now you might be thinking, that’s great Colette, but I’m not a sheep, I have responsibilities! That is very true, along with all the other things in this life that leave us dry and parched.
But what if we would take a brief moment like we just did to remind us that spiritual refreshment? I mean how many of us have felt like the grass, the leaves and the corn plants in a heatwave of the craziness of this world? What if we would take time to remember we have a Shepherd that knows just what we need to refresh us and goes beyond the refreshing to restore us, by feeding on His word within us and His continual presence. May we remember to take advantage of more times of refreshing and restoration in our relationship with our Shepherd when things get hot and dry, so times of revival will be needed less.
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