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Chapter 4

Waters of Life: Guided, yet Free to Choose

Psalm 23:1b:

"..., He leads me beside the still waters."

The phrase "still waters" is a metaphorical expression that has been used to describe a state of peace, calmness, and serenity. However, in a literal sense, "still waters" refer to quiet, calm, and peaceful bodies of water that are characterized by a lack of turbulence, agitation, or disturbance. These bodies of water are not stagnant, but rather, they are slow-moving or stationary, providing a reliable source of water for various forms of life.

In the context of ancient Israel, "still waters" likely referred to ponds, pools, or slow-moving streams that were scattered throughout the countryside. These calm waters were essential for the well-being of sheep and other livestock, as they needed access to peaceful and safe drinking water.

Sheep, in particular, are creatures that thrive in peaceful environments. They are sensitive to noise, stress, and agitation, and they require calm and quiet surroundings to feel secure and relaxed. When sheep are able to drink from still waters, they are able to rest and rejuvenate, free from the stresses and anxieties that can come from turbulent or disturbed environments.

As we reflect on the serene scene of sheep drinking from still waters, we're reminded of the importance of finding peace in our own lives. Just as sheep require calm surroundings to thrive, we too need moments of stillness and quiet to recharge and refocus. In a world that often values busyness and productivity over rest and relaxation, it's easy to forget the importance of slowing down and savoring the peaceful moments. It's no wonder that Jacob, in his time with Laban, recognized the value of peaceful surroundings for his flocks. By providing them with still waters and calm pastures, he was able to increase their numbers and prosperity. Interestingly, it was during these moments of rest and relaxation that the sheep would mate, allowing Jacob to gain valuable insight into their reproduction patterns. He cleverly used this knowledge to his advantage, placing colored logs before them to influence the coloration of their offspring. This remarkable strategy was only successful because the sheep were relaxed and receptive, highlighting the profound impact of peace on their well-being and productivity. As we seek to cultivate peace in our own lives, may we remember the wisdom of Jacob's approach and prioritize the still waters that bring rest and rejuvenation to our souls.

In Psalm 23:2b, the psalmist writes, "He leads me beside still waters." In this context, the phrase "still waters" is not just a metaphorical expression, but also a literal description of the kind of environment that sheep need to thrive. Just as sheep need calm waters to drink and rest, believers need the peaceful and rejuvenating presence of God to nourish their souls.

In ancient Israel, sheep were often led to ponds, pools, or slow-moving streams to drink and rest. These bodies of water were carefully selected by shepherds, who knew that their sheep needed peaceful and safe environments to thrive. Similarly, believers need to be led to the "still waters" of God's presence, where they can drink from the waters of life and rest in the peace and security of His love.

The concept of "still waters" is also closely tied to the idea of rest and rejuvenation. In a literal sense, still waters provide a place for sheep to rest and drink, free from the stresses and anxieties of their daily lives. Similarly, believers need to be able to rest and rejuvenate in the presence of God, free from the stresses and anxieties of their daily lives.

As the Scripture reminds us, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28). Just as sheep need to rest and drink from still waters, believers need to rest and rejuvenate in the presence of God, where they can find peace, security, and nourishment for their souls.

Verse 2b of Psalm 23 says, "He leads me beside the still waters." In this verse, the subject is the shepherd, who is responsible for guiding and caring for his flock. As part of his shepherding skills, he leads the sheep to various locations, including green pastures and still waters.

The phrase "he leads me beside the still waters" is significant, as it indicates that the shepherd is actively guiding his flock to a specific location. The word "beside" is also important, as it suggests that the shepherd is not leading the sheep into the still waters, but rather, he is leading them to a place where they can access the water without being forced to enter it.

This is consistent with the shepherd's approach to leading his flock to green pastures. As we saw earlier, the shepherd takes his flock to the green pastures and allows them to graze freely, without forcing them to eat. Similarly, when he leads them beside still waters, he is providing them with access to a life-giving resource, without compelling them to drink.

This approach is reflective of the shepherd's respect for the autonomy and agency of his flock. He recognizes that each sheep has its own unique needs, desires, and preferences, and he is careful not to impose his will on them. Instead, he provides them with the opportunity to make their own choices, trusting that they will make decisions that are in their best interests.

In the same way, the Lord, as our Good Shepherd, leads us to His provisions, but He does not force us to partake of them. He provides us with access to the green pastures of His presence, but He does not compel us to graze. He leads us beside the still waters of His peace, but He does not force us to drink.

As our Good Shepherd, the Lord's duty is to lead us to His provisions, to guide us to the places where we can experience His presence, peace, and provision. However, He will not spoon-feed us, nor will He force us to partake of His provisions. Instead, He will wait for us, patiently and lovingly, until we are ready to receive from Him.

This is a profound truth, one that speaks to the heart of our relationship with the Lord. As our Good Shepherd, He is committed to guiding us, providing for us, and protecting us. However, He will not override our autonomy, nor will He force us to follow Him. Instead, He will wait for us, lovingly and patiently, until we are ready to follow Him and receive from Him.

One of the fascinating aspects of sheep behavior is the way in which individual sheep can differ significantly in terms of their weight and health, even when they are part of the same breed, gender, and age group. This is because, despite being led to the same pasture at the same time, each sheep has its own unique characteristics, habits, and priorities.

For example, some sheep may be naturally more lazy or less motivated to graze, while others may be more energetic and enthusiastic about feeding. Similarly, some rams may be more focused on searching for ewes in heat, while others may be more interested in grazing and building up their strength.

As a result, at the end of the day, one ram may be slimmer and more agile, but with a larger number of offspring, while another ram may be fatter and more robust, but with fewer but healthier offspring. This variation in weight and health is not necessarily a reflection of the quality of care provided by the shepherd, but rather a natural consequence of the unique characteristics and behaviors of each individual sheep.

In fact, this diversity can be beneficial for the overall health and well-being of the flock. For example, sheep that are lighter and more agile may be better equipped to run away from predators, while those that are stronger and more robust may be better able to defend themselves and their lambs.

This principle can also be applied to the body of Christ, where believers are diverse and unique, with different strengths, weaknesses, and personalities. Just as the shepherd values and utilizes the different characteristics and abilities of his sheep, so too does the Lord value and utilize the different gifts, talents, and experiences of His people.

As the Scripture reminds us, "There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work" (1 Corinthians 12:4-6). In this sense, believers should realize that we are different, but all useful before the Lord, regardless of our differing statuses or abilities.

This understanding can help to promote unity and harmony within the body of Christ, as we recognize and appreciate the unique contributions and strengths that each person brings to the table. By valuing and celebrating our diversity, we can work together more effectively to achieve our common goals and to fulfill our shared mission of spreading the gospel and glorifying God.

On another version, the story of Gideon and the men of Israel is a fascinating example of how the Lord can use our choices, responses, and decisions to separate and select individuals for a particular task or purpose. In Judges 7:5-7, we read that Gideon took the bravest men of Israel down to the water, where the Lord instructed him to separate those who lapped the water with their tongues, like a dog, from those who knelt down to drink.

What's interesting about this story is that Gideon had not warned the men in advance how the selection would be conducted. He simply led them beside the still waters, and they all drank, unaware of the criteria that would be used to select them. However, their drinking style ultimately determined their alertness and readiness for battle, and thus how they were selected.

In the same sense, the Lord leads us beside the still waters of His presence, and it's up to us to drink and choose how we want to drink, and the quantity we want to uptake. This freedom to choose is a fundamental aspect of our humanity, and the Lord respects our autonomy, even as He encourages us to make wise and godly choices.

As the Scripture reminds us, "This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live" (Deuteronomy 30:19). The Lord has put death and life before us, and He lovingly encourages us to choose life. However, the ultimate choice is ours, and we must live with the consequences of our decisions.

This principle can be seen in many areas of life, including our spiritual growth and development. Just as the men of Israel were separated based on their drinking style, so too are believers separated based on their willingness to drink from the waters of God's presence. Some may lap up the water eagerly, like a dog, while others may kneel down to drink, taking their time to savor the experience.

In the same way, some believers may be more eager to drink from the waters of God's presence, seeking to deepen their relationship with Him and to grow in their faith. Others may be more hesitant, taking their time to get to know God and to understand His ways.

Regardless of our individual approaches, the Lord is always present, leading us beside the still waters of His presence and inviting us to drink. The choice is ours, and we must decide how we will respond to His invitation.

In material life, we also see differences in how people access and utilize resources, including education, healthcare, and economic opportunities. While some may have greater access to these resources, others may face significant barriers and challenges.

However, even in the face of these challenges, the Lord is always present, offering us the opportunity to drink from the waters of His presence and to experience His blessings and provision. The choice is ours, and we must decide how we will respond to His invitation.

Here, the psalmist's expression of satisfaction in being led beside still waters is a profound statement of trust and confidence in the Lord's guidance. The psalmist knew that when the Lord led him to a place of rest and refreshment, he had a responsibility to respond in a way that was pleasing to the Lord.

Now, that like David we trust the Lord and have confidence in His goodness and guidance, we must focus on knowing what to do when He leads us beside still waters. Just as the Israelites had to respond accordingly when the Pillar of Fire and Cloud stopped or moved, so too must we know how to respond when the Lord leads us to a place of rest and refreshment.

When the Pillar stopped, the Israelites would set up camp and rest, knowing that they were in the right place. They would make use of the environment, take the opportunity to replenish their supplies, tend to their needs, and rejuvenate themselves for the journey ahead.

In the same way, when the Lord leads us beside still waters, we must know what to do to maximize the benefits of this experience. We must take the opportunity to rest and refresh ourselves in His presence, drinking from the still waters of His love and provision.

We must also take the time to reflect on our journey so far, acknowledging the Lord's guidance and provision in our lives. We must examine our hearts and minds, seeking to identify any areas where we may need to adjust our course or seek forgiveness. And above all, we must find out why he has brought us this far.

Furthermore, we must be prepared to move forward when the Lord leads us to new places and experiences. Just as the Israelites had to follow the Pillar when it moved, so too must we be willing to follow the Lord's leading, even when it takes us into unfamiliar territory.

This requires a willingness to be flexible and adaptable, to adjust our plans and expectations according to the Lord's leading. It requires a willingness to take risks and step out in faith, trusting that the Lord is guiding us and providing for our needs.

As we learn to respond to the Lord's leading and to know what to do when He leads us beside still waters, we will find that our relationship with Him deepens and our faith grows stronger. We will find that we are better equipped to navigate the challenges of life and to fulfill our calling and purpose.

So let us seek to know what to do when the Lord leads us beside still waters, and let us be willing to follow His leading, wherever it may take us.

For the Israelites, the movement of the guiding Pillar was a constant reminder that they were on a journey, and that each step forward required them to leave the old behind and adapt to the new. This was a fundamental aspect of their experience in the wilderness, where they had to rely on the Lord's guidance and provision every step of the way.

In Isaiah 43:19, the Lord says, "See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland." This verse highlights the Lord's ability to create new paths and opportunities, even in the most challenging and unexpected circumstances.

The phrase "I am doing a new thing" implies that there was an old thing that had come to an end. This is a fundamental principle of the Christian life, where we are constantly called to leave the old behind and embark on new adventures with the Lord.

As the apostle Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 5:17, "If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" This verse emphasizes the idea that when we come to faith in Christ, we become new creations, and the old things pass away. However, even a new creation undergoes renewal daily, as each day sets aside the old and rises anew, continuously.

The Lord's ability to create new paths and opportunities is also highlighted in the Book of Revelation, where Jesus says, "I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut" (Revelation 3:8). This verse suggests that the Lord is always opening new doors and creating new opportunities for us, even when we may not be aware of them.

However, how we respond to these opportunities determines how we will enjoy them. If we are willing to leave the old behind and embark on new adventures with the Lord, we will find that He is always leading us to new and exciting places.

On the other hand, if we are resistant to change and unwilling to leave the old behind, we may find that we miss out on the opportunities that the Lord has for us. As the Scripture reminds us, "Do not be conformed to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will" (Romans 12:2).

In order to experience the fullness of the Lord's plans and purposes for our lives, we must be willing to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. This requires us to be open to new ideas, new experiences, and new opportunities, and to be willing to leave the old behind.

As we journey through life, we can be confident that the Lord is always leading us to new and exciting places. However, it is up to us to respond to His leading and to be willing to leave the old behind. When we do, we will find that He is always opening new doors and creating new opportunities for us, and that we are able to experience the fullness of His plans and purposes for our lives.

One of the most comforting aspects of the shepherd's care is that he takes the flock out to pastures daily, providing them with a constant source of nourishment and sustenance. This daily provision is a reminder that the Lord is always working on our behalf, providing for our needs and guiding us through the ups and downs of life.

As we reflect on the shepherd's daily provision for his flock, we're reminded of the profound simplicity of Jesus' words in the Lord's Prayer: "Give us this day our daily bread." These words acknowledge that our needs are ongoing, and that we require daily sustenance - not just physical, but also spiritual and emotional. Just as the shepherd's flock relies on him for daily nourishment, we too can trust that our Heavenly Father will provide for our daily needs, guiding us to green pastures and still waters, and nourishing us with the bread of life.

In addition to providing for their physical needs, the shepherd also leads the flock beside still waters, providing them with a source of spiritual nourishment and refreshment. This is a powerful metaphor for the way in which the Lord provides for our spiritual needs, leading us to places of rest and refreshment where we can drink from the waters of His presence.

Another comforting aspect of the shepherd's care is that he offers second chances to the sheep that have messed up. If a sheep fails to take advantage of the opportunity to graze in the pastures or drink from the still waters, the shepherd does not abandon it or reject it. Instead, he offers it another chance to make things right.

This is a powerful reminder of the Lord's mercy and grace. As the Scripture reminds us, "The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love" (Psalm 145:8). The Lord is always willing to give us second chances, to forgive us for our mistakes and to help us get back on track.

In fact, the Lord's willingness to give us second chances is a fundamental aspect of the Christian message. As the Bible clearly states, "For a righteous man falls seven times, and rises again" (Proverbs 24:16). The Lord knows that we are imperfect and that we will make mistakes, but He is always willing to help us get back up and start again.

This is a powerful encouragement to us as believers. No matter how many times we may fail or mess up, the Lord is always willing to give us another chance. He is always willing to forgive us, to help us get back on track, and to provide for our needs.

As the Scripture reminds us, "His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness" (Lamentations 3:22-23). The Lord's mercies are new every morning, and He is always willing to give us another chance to make things right.

So let us take comfort in the shepherd's care, knowing that He is always providing for our needs and offering us second chances. Let us be encouraged by the Lord's mercy and grace, and let us be willing to take advantage of the opportunities He provides for us to make things right.

While this promise of God's forgiveness and provision is a tremendous comfort, it's essential to remember that it's not a license to continue in sin. The Lord's mercy and forgiveness are not a green light to habitually disobey or disregard His commands. Rather, they're an invitation to repentance, to turn away from our sinful ways and towards His loving guidance. As we receive God's forgiveness and provision, we must also surrender to His transforming power, allowing Him to shape us into the image of Christ and empower us to live lives that honor Him.

And so, the next time the shepherd leads us beside still waters, let's be prepared to respond in a way that honors Him and nourishes our souls. The water is meant to be drunk, to quench our thirst and cool our spirits. It's a symbol of the Lord's presence and provision in our lives, and we must learn to appreciate and utilize it.

It's also worth noting that water has been a constant companion to humanity since the beginning of time. In Genesis 1:2, we read that the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters when the earth was still formless and empty. Water was present at the creation of the world, and it has been a vital component of our ecosystem ever since.

The fact that water has been continually present throughout human history is a testament to the Lord's faithfulness and provision. If water had an expiring date, it would have disappeared long ago, but because the Lord has ordained it to be a perpetual part of our world, it continues to flow and nourish us to this day.

So, when the shepherd leads us beside still waters, let's remember the significance of this gift and learn to appreciate it. Let's know what to do with it, and how to do it, so that we can drink deeply from its spiritual nourishment and be refreshed for the journey ahead.

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