Last Friday, I wrote about the 23rd Psalm but I focused mainly on verse 1. I intend to write on each of it’s verses individually in my next five blogs because the psalm has so much to offer and has much we can relate to in our everyday lives. When reading and meditating on the 23rd Psalm it will serve us well to keep in mind that it was written by a shepherd. He was not the Good Shepherd, (Christ) but he was a good shepherd in his own right nonetheless and knew what it took in order to adequately feed, nurture, and maintain a flock. It was no accident or coincidence, therefore, that the Lord would later choose him to be the shepherd (king) of His own people. Verse 2 reads: “He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside the still waters.” A good shepherd would never settle his flock in an area where no nourishing grass was available. He would always seek the greenest and most lush areas where his flock could feed. In fact, a good shepherd knew where these areas were beforehand. In like manner, God’s children, because the Lord is ever with them and leading them by way of the Holy Spirit, always have at their disposal the love, peace, spiritual nourishment, and comfort He provides. All honest and spiritually perceptive children of God can say like the well known hymn of the faith, “it is well with my soul.” Being “beside the still waters” is a picture of serenity, calmness, and peace. That is one of our greatest benefits as God’s children. Those who are outside of Christ cannot understand this type of peace, one which is present even in the midst of danger or a difficult trial. It is beyond human comprehension. That is why Paul, in his letter to the Philippians said that it surpasses all understanding. (See Philippians 4:7) Child of God, were it not that the Good Shepherd is ever with us and always leads us, we would always be filled with worry, anxiety, doubts, and fears. Many poor souls who have not believed in nor have reached out to Jesus, go to bed each night dealing with fear and uncertainty, never getting the benefit of a good night’s sleep. Not so with God’s people. In a spiritual sense, we know what it is to lie down in peace in green pastures. It is because of our Good Shepherd. For that, we should always be extremely thankful. God’s word for today: (Psalm 4:8) “I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.”