Still Waters
Psalms 23:1-6
Last week we mention how David said “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures”. The environment around the sheep causes them to be restless. There are some conditions that must be met in order for sheep to lie down such as no fear, friction, and pestering flies or fleas etc.., they also must be free from hunger.
Here we read “He leadeth me beside the still waters”
Water is a vital resource for life. The body of animals such as sheep is about 70 percent of water on the average. It is a very essential resource for the health and well being of sheep. The lack of water brings about thirst and the same is so with us.
Point: As the physical body thirst for water our soul also have a need for the water of the Spirit of the eternal God.
Mention: John 4 Jesus meets this woman at the well of Jacob and tells her whosoever that drinks from this well shall thirst again, but He gives a source of water that will satisfy her thirst forever.
Remember it appears as if she has tried to satisfy her soul with her relationship with men.
When sheep thirst they are prone to drink from a polluted source of water which could create some health issues.
This is also true with men and women who are thirsty for God. They are often unsure of where to look or really what they are looking for. Many are prone to drink from a polluted supply of water (word).
Saint Augustine of Africa wrote “O God! Thou hast made us for thyself and our souls are restless, searching, til they find their rest in thee.”
Mention: Matthew 5:6 Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.”
John 7:37 If any man thirst let him come unto Me, and drink.
“He leadeth me beside still waters”
Point: It is the LORD that knows where the still waters are and Him alone is able to lead us there.
Here is an interesting truth concerning sheep and water. They can go months without actually drinking if there is heavy dew on the grass each morning because sheep by habit rise before dawn and start to feed. It is in these early hours of the day in which the dew is heavy.
The dew is a wonderful picture of still waters resting on the vegetation.
Point: There seems to one thing common when reading the biography of great godly men and women, and that is their seeking of the Lord early.
Comment: Those that rise up early and spend time in God’s Word and prayer are those who most confident and able to cope with the complexities of life.
Mention: Hosea 14:5 The LORD declares that He will be as the dew unto Israel
Proverbs 8:17 I love them that love Me, and those that seek Me early shall find me
See: Psalms 63:1 O God, thou art my God early will I seek thee
There are several questions in closing:
1. Is The LORD Your Shepherd?
The shepherd is the only hope the sheep has for survival
2. Are You Satisfied?
“I shall not want”
Luke 12:15 Beware of covetousness, for a man’s life does not consist of the abundance of things which he possessth.
3. Who or What Supplieth Your Water
See: Jeremiah 2:13, 18 God’s people in their thirst drank from polluted waters
‘He leadeth me beside still waters.”
Mention: Psalms 107:29 He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still
Also: Mark 4:39 And He arose and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace be still.
