There are very few times that I happened to be beside a body of still water, such as a pond, without having a feeling that I should be on the lookout, or more correctly, that I need to beware of potential dangers that could be lurking beneath the still shiny surface. Have you ever had that feeling?
If you never had that feeling then, either you have had surety that there are no alligators or crocodiles in the area, no snakes, and no unstable ground along the waters edge. Or, maybe I’ve just watched too many wild life documentaries!
I remember reading a story about a missionary somewhere in an African country who happened by a body of water one very hot day. The missionary started to ponder how well he could “cool off” by taking a quick swim in the lake or pond. While he stopped to decide, he heard a voice telling him not to go in the water. It gave him pause long enough for him to be able to recognize a slight ripple on the surface. At the center of the circular spread was the eye of a crocodile! The missionary knelt, thanking God for saving him from the crocodile.
The psalmist wrote, “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.” —Psalm 23:1,2 NKJV. The picture here in Psalm 23 is one of peace and tranquillity. These verses also tell of God’s power to restore us — “He restores my soul” (verse 3)
You may be at a place in life now where even the “still waters” look dangerous — and who knows — there may very well be danger there. However, the encouraging message in those first few verses of Psalm 23 is that, when we allow the Lord to be our Shepherd, we will not lack anything necessary for our eternal security.
The still waters may run dangerously deep, or they may host dangerous predators. We need to make David’s declaration of faith be our profession as well.
“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. [2] He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. [3] He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. [4] Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” — Psalm 23:1-4 NKJV
Having such assurance, we may find rest and peace amidst the dangers that lurk around us day by day. We may experience spiritual renewal day by day as we walk the path of righteousness, to eventually dwell in peace forever.
