Tuesday: Psalm 23 (day 2)

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; he leadeth me beside the still waters.

Get out and vote ... Yes, it is election day, my dear brothers and sisters, and since it is not a major election not many people will go out. However, parents, this is the election that often has people running for our school boards and here in Pennsylvania they can cross file. If they win at the primary election they often win the race. And yes, it is Tuesday and the day we pray for our schools. I did not plan it that way, to fall on the day I talk about voting for school boards. Please pray for our schools and for good people to run them.

Psalm 23 (day 2)
Psalm 23: 1 - The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul; He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. (King James)

Verse 2 today: He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; he leadeth me beside the still waters.

So what is this telling us? As for shepherds, they would take their flocks to the green pastures where they could eat and lay down (like us, right, a nap after a big meal) and then they could get a drink from the still waters. After all, if the shepherds would lead a flock to a field of dirt with no grass they would have nothing to eat and if the waters were raging the animals would be swept away and drown. So that is for the animals, now what about the Good Shepherd, our Lord Jesus and how I think it relates to us?

Let's go way back to where God created the Heavens and the earth. Let's first give Him glory for making the green fields, the rivers and also the animals. Thank You, Jesus. Then Jesus made man and He put man right in the beautiful garden and gave it water and all and gave it all to man, except for one tree of course. But God in His wisdom built man so we need rest, and we all know how we get if we have a night of no sleep or we are not resting well. So think of that green pasture and then think of your home and how after a long day of work you can come home, and stretch out across the bed and rest some. Years ago when in most cases the ladies would stay home and take care of the house, not that you are not taking care of them today, but years ago, way, way back, women would stay home and really work hard at home. Let's face it, they did the wash in that still water or carried the water home. They cooked on wood stoves and did all the cleaning by hand. The men would work the fields, and when tired from working the fields come in for a bit to eat and to stretch out to rest.

So when our Lord made us, He indeed made us so that we would need to lay down in those green pastures and rest. Let me ask you this, can you remember the last time you went someplace and just laid down on the green lawn and took a short nap? Listen to this ...

Last week, LeaAnne from the Bridges called and asked if I would help take some of the people to Boiling Springs Lake. Now those who do not know of this lake, you need to go. It is in Boiling Springs, Pennsylvania, and is just like those still waters that are mentioned in the 23rd Psalm. And on one side a path to walk and some green grass to lay down on. So I took the offer from this dear sweet young lady and helped with the seniors going to the lake. It was nice, some in wheelchairs, some who walked in from the parking lot and sat on benches. Some sat on the green grass and all except LeaAnne and a couple of helpers rested. Me, I rested, I laid down on that green grass and just watched that still waters ... God is so good. And if you go to this lake or another place like it you will find that what God provided back in those days, He still provides, we just need to take the time to enjoy it. Something this writer needs to do more often. People were fishing, and then those who went with us from the Bridges had bread to feed the ducks and birds. It was great and a great reminder of this ... He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; he leadeth me beside the still waters. Someday, take time to go and sit beside the still waters, or take time to do this, fill the tub with water, nice hot water and get in it and sit, relax, rest, then towel off and go lay across the bed. Take time to enjoy a little green pastures and still waters in your home. Or find a nice park or a nice afternoon and rest. Just down the street from our home is a nice big creek and a nice park called Willow Mill. Many people drive there at lunch, sit in their car and watch the water go by. Let's learn again what God gave us, and what He wants us to do. Let's go to the still waters, the green pastures and rest, and enjoy some time alone with God and what He made when He created this earth. Green pastures and still waters ... AMEN.

Dear Heavenly Father, we give thanks this day for You making us a person who does need the rest and for making us to lay down and rest. We have learned over the years that there is a point in which we get so tired we just cannot go on. Help us to lay down and rest before we reach that point and thanks for making good rest and sleep part of what we need. Lord help us, maybe on a Sunday or on our day of rest, to seek out a place along some still waters and look back at these scriptures, maybe Lord take our Bible with us and just read over the 23rd Psalm. Lord how good you are today to us. You never fail us, never ever. Lord, please watch over our schools and today watch over our elections, help the right people be elected for the jobs. Lord, protect our school kids for at this time of year, at the end of the year, drinking and driving seems to be a big thing, and always there are kids who are killed or hurt. Lord, please keep them from doing dumb things. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Go forth now, enjoying your day, maybe taking time to go to some still waters, a nice creek or river and watch the water go past. Please enjoy this day, for indeed it is the day that the Lord has made ... rejoice and be glad in it ... and of course by all means, share your blessings. love ya, dan.