Leads Me Beside Still Waters Series

Theme: Lead be beside quiet waters

Text: Psalm 23:1-6

Greetings:

The Lord is good and His Love endures forever!!

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, I greet you all in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Introduction:

Let us remember our Annual theme, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life” based on John 14:6, and our monthly theme, “The Unfamiliar Paths” based on Isaiah 42:16.

Today we are meditating on the theme: “Leads me besides still waters” (Psalm 23:2). This line was composed by the shepherd boy or King David. Psalm 23 is very popular and recited by millions and millions over the years. Every Christian funeral completes with this Psalm.

First Let’s understand how the bible translators have understood the word and refer to it with their interpretation of the Hebrew words. “mei menuchot = Quiet Waters: Calm Waters (NCV), Quiet waters (NASV), quiet streams (Living Bible), quiet pools (MSG), peaceful waters (NOG), Still waters (World English Bible) , peaceful streams (NLV), Refreshing water (NLT), an oasis of peace, the quiet brook of bliss (The Passion Translation), and Tranquil waters (Jewish Orthodox Bible).

I would like to refer these quiet waters to our three spiritual and physical experiences:

1. Quiet waters refer to the Holy Spirit

2. Quiet waters refer to rest and refreshment of our Physical, mental, and emotional realms and,

3. Quiet waters refer to the Abundant life on earth and beyond

1. QUIET WATERS REFER TO THE HOLY SPIRIT

He has composed this song out of his deeper experience in the shepherding and their dangerous situations. David compares himself to a sheep and explains how he is blessed to have God as his shepherd and a leader. Shepherds usually lead the sheep to the running waters or clean ponds and lakes. At the same time, they take all precautionary methods to avoid the mud sling waters, polluted and dangerous zones. They would make sure of the good and safe waters to the flock. The first understanding we get from this phrase is perhaps David may refer to the waters of Siloam, or Shiloh, that go softly (Isaiah 8:6), compared with the strong current of the Euphrates.

The consolations of the Holy Spirit are like the still waters by which the saints find quietness during calamities, losses, and failures. The streams of grace that flow from the fountain of living waters always keep a person in complete calm (Isaiah 26:1-3). Those only are led by the Holy Spirit experience the comfort of the still waters. They continually walk in the paths of righteousness. Their ways of duty are truly pleasant, and their works are full of righteousness in peace.

In these paths, we cannot walk, unless. God lead us into them and lead us on in them. Discontent and distrust proceed from unbelief; an unsteady walk is a consequence of it (Matthew Henry).

So, these "still waters" are the influences and graces of God’s blessed Spirit. The Holy Spirit attends us in various processes: to cleanse, to refresh, to fertilize, and to cherish as the streams do with us. The Holy Ghost loves peace, and sounds no trumpet of pretention in his operations, may act quietly mostly.

He is a dove, not an eagle; the dew, not the hurricane. The inflow of the Holy Spirit into our soul is very personal and not exponential. Therefore, neighbors may not perceive that divine presence, and though the blessed Spirit may be pouring his floods into one heart, yet he that sits next to the favored one may know nothing of it. Our Lord leads us beside "still waters". We could not get there of ourselves, we need his guidance, therefore it is said, "He leads me beside still waters"(biblestudytools.com).

When we sit at the feet of God with heavily loaded hearts with the worry about our financial crunches, failures in the profession, overdue to be paid, taking care of a sickly spouse, parents, and fear of the future of our children and many other unknown fears. The Holy Spirit leads us beside still waters.

He knows each one of us by our names, so He knows all of our needs and necessities and answers accordingly. He is also aware of the dangers and difficulties that stalk each of our life paths. He is the sparkling wellspring of comfort, and He gently leads us by His still waters of stillness. He is the One that leads us to the sill water-pools of refreshment for He is the water of life. (dailyverse.knowing-jesus.com).

He does to the soul, by causing it amidst the dryness and heat of temptation and trouble, to taste the very essence of life which refreshes and strengthens it (Keil and Delitzsch). "Waters of stillness" whose quiet flow invites to repose. They are contrasted with boisterous streams on the one hand, and stagnant, offensive pools on the other.