The Gentle Shepherd
He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside still waters. Psalm 23:2 (NIV)
We can read the same verse several times for years and then one day, something within us shifts and we are surprised to find insight and clarity that previously did not exist. I call them ah-ha moments. Janet Hanscome (All God’s Creatures) shares a touching epiphany moment in this devotion.
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My Saturday morning Bible study group has spent the last few months on a book based on Psalm 23. Thanks to the study, we’ve learned a lot of fascinating facts about sheep. On the morning we focused on verse two, “He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet water,” I could not stop tearing up. For the first time, I heard why a good shepherd chooses quiet water for his sheep; it’s because sheep are timid creatures that startle easily. A rushing stream frightens them so much that they won’t drink from it. So, the shepherd purposely looks for gentle waters.
Instead of forcing His sheep to toughen up by drinking from a scary rushing river, the Shepherd of Psalm 23 had compassion and brought His sheep to a calm source that felt safe. I thought about the many fears I battled as a child and even as an adult and some not-so-compassionate responses that only made me more afraid or planted worries that my fears displeased God. The image of a timid sheep being cared for by the gentle Shepherd who considered her fears, instead of shaming her or dismissing them, revealed God’s compassion for me in a new way.
I thought of those He has sent to walk with me as I’ve overcome my fears—kind, encouraging, considerate, and nurturing people. Through that lesson about sheep, I saw God as a Father who cares for my fears instead of being displeased by them—a Shepherd who leads me like one of His most precious sheep to the quiet stream of His compassion and rest.
WALK of FAITH: Read Psalm 23. Reflect on what it reveals to you about your kind, gentle Shepherd.
Gentle Shepherd, thank You for Your compassion and loving care that nurtures us and helps us grow. You lead us to quiet waters and sustain us. Teach us to continue studying Your Word and experience more ah-ha moments. AMEN.