Resting In Green Pastures

Helen Dowd


We all know these verses by heart. We've known them from early childhood, haven't we? I ran across these passages in the little book, Daily Light:

Psalm 23—so pastoral: "The Lord is my Shepherd."
Psalm 37:7—so restful: "Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him..."
Psalm 27:14—so reassuring: "Wait on the Lord."

What good verses! To me this conjures up a picture of tranquility. It is peaceful. I see myself as a sheep. I am lying quietly in a lush pasture, just content to know that my Shepherd is there. He doesn't have to be constantly speaking to me. I just need to know He is there. The picture was made more vivid to me when I remember my blind cat, "Baby", sleeping contentedly on a cushion at my feet. She always seemed to know where I was in the house. She didn't have to hear my voice all the time. She just needed to know that I was here, beside her. To me, that conjured up the picture of contentment.

The Lord wants us to be content in Him. We can be assured that He will never leave us. He doesn't have to be forever talking to us. With Him in the pasture, we know that we will never want for protection or spiritual nourishment.



"The Lord is my shepherd;
no want shall I know.
He leads by still waters,
where green grasses grow
.... My soul He restoreth.
He'll not let me stray.
He guides and protects me,
by night and by day.
And when I should come
to the Valley of Death,
My Lord will stay with me
to my last fading breath."


What reassurance!

Psalm 23:1 "The Lord is my Shepherd". We can lie contentedly, enjoying His provision.

Psalm 37:7 "Rest in the Lord, wait patiently for Him:" We can rest, while waiting for His instruction as to what to do next—move on, or remain resting.

Psalm 27:14 "Wait on the Lord: be of good of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say on the Lord." He gives us strength, while we wait.

Isn't it good to know that God wants us to lie, rest, and wait? He does the directing. Why do we fuss so? Let us enjoy being protected sheep.

It reminds me of a little Sunday school chorus we used to sing:


“I am Jesus’ little lamb,
Happy all the day I am.
I am His, and He is mine.
Oh, I’m His lamb.”


© Helen Dowd