there is not a more resplendent picture

yesterday at our servant team meeting, our staff Robbyn came out and led us into a devotional using the passage Psalm 23 and a book that a real life shepherd wrote on reflecting upon the passage.

there were a lot of things that stuck out to me all from just one chapter in the book!

-the shepherd shared how when the flock retired to find shade "there, fully satisfied and happily refreshed, they would lie down to rest and ruminate through the day. nothing pleased me more."
he then made the connection how God also loves to see us "contented, quiet, at rest, and relaxed. He delights to know my soul and spirit have been refreshed and satisfied."

did you catch that last sentence?

i thought it was well put and very interesting. I never thought about God finding delight in our being happy. it's great to know that and just makes being happy even more special!!

-the descriptions and words the author used was also very beautiful and helped me paint a delightful picture in my mind.
"Of course, dew is a clear, clean, pure source of water. And there is no more resplendent picture of still waters than the silver droplets of dew hanging heavy on leaves and grass at break of day."
That is the kind of water God offers us. he doesn't give us dirtied water or ok water, but he gives us the best and cleanest water he could offer!

some warnings that he brought up is how "when sheep are thirsty they become restless and set out in search of water. If not led to the good water supplies of clean, pure water, they will often end up drinking from the polluted pot holes where they pick up such internal parasites as nematodes, liver flukes, or other disease germs"
it's funny to reflect upon how stupid we are when we look for satisfaction in temporary and other stuff. yet, here God is holding out the best there is to get! and we are either too impatient or unwilling to ask Him for it. how foolish of us.

the last point i really liked:
"In the Christian life exactly the same applies. Many of the places we may be led into will appear to us as dark, deep, dangerous, and somewhat disagreeable. But it simply must be remembered that He is there with us in it. He is very much at work in the situation. It is His energy, effort, and strength expended on my behalf that even in this deep, dark place is bound to produce a benefit for me. It is there that I will discover He only can really satisfy me."



"It is He who makes sense and purpose and meaning come out of situations which otherwise would be abut a mockery to me. I discover I am the object of His special are and attention. My thirst for reality in life is assuaged, and I discover that I have found that satisfaction in my Master."

i love the shepherd and sheep analogy :O]