Stop, Look, and Listen
Psalm 23 reminds us that we are not in this life alone. The first verses remind us that we are under the protection of a shepherd, our shepherd. We are important to Him, we are cared for and loved. Do you believe that today?
We need a shepherd. We all have times when we feel lost and overwhelmed. The Lord is our shepherd. He guides us, protects us, and watches over us.
Some of us place other things as our shepherd. Some of us may place money, career, other people we think have influence over us. By placing these things in the position of our shepherd we are only setting ourselves up for a fall. When we do that, we will always be let down because The Lord is our shepherd, and it is only through Him that we are saved. He has our back, He is faithful. We can trust in Him.
Psalm 23 goes on to remind us that the Lord is our shepherd and through Him we shall not want. We have everything that we need. There will always things in this world that we want, but in Christ we have everything that we need. He is faithful, and He loves us.
We tend to run from God in shame, guilt, and perceived failure. Only when we run to God that we can move through this life as we are purposed to do.
We read in verse three. “He makes me lie down in green pastures”. This is a time to pause, take time to see where we may have drifted off our path, and where our thoughts may need reframing and refocusing. Sometimes we need encouragement to lie down in His protection. God watches over us and He cares for us. Be still, and know He is God. Not only are we encouraged to lie down in green pastures, we are to lie beside still waters. The stillness of God is where we find rest. Not rest as the world knows rest. Rest in God. Peace in God. God’s peace.
The world is too loud, bright, and busy. It is hard to find stillness in chaos yet through God we can find stillness, but it has to be intentional. Choose to be still. Choose to listen, and to seek God. Stop living as if you are driven by you and look through the eyes of God. Listen, be still, obey His promptings and follow the shepherd wherever He guides you to go. The Lord is our shepherd. Choose today to be still, and to Stop, Look, and Listen.
For Discussion:
What does being still mean to you?
Do you take the time to lie down in green pastures?
Do you struggle with letting the Lord be your shepherd? Why?
Lastly:
Psalm 23:1-3 NKJV
The Lord is my shepherd
I shall not want
He makes me lie down in green pastures
He leads me beside the still waters.
