Sunday, March 3, 2013

He leads me beside the still waters...

Peace. Rest. That's what comes to mind when I think of being beside still waters. Not only is water a basic need that He provides for me, but still waters, quiet waters, a restful place. He does not always require me to drink from a raging sea, but He leads me beside still waters as if to say, take a drink, take a nap, rest.

There is no danger in these waters, although danger may be perceived. When He leads me there, there is always rest. The chaos comes when I've led myself to waters that seemed good to drink. The storms brew when making the wrong choices from day to day become who I am. He did not lead me there. He led me here. To the still waters.

"You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on you because he trusts in you." Isaiah 26:3

I remember a story of when Jesus called one of His sheep to Himself out on the water. Peter stepped toward his Lord, but surrounded by a storm, he feared. He lost sight of His shepherd for just one moment and began to sink. Oh but he did not drown. Why?  He cried out for his shepherd. The waters were terrifying yet we hear him cry out, "Lord, save me!" And the Bible reads, "IMMEDIATELY, Jesus reached out his hand and caught him." Saying, "You of little faith...

...WHY DID YOU DOUBT?" Matthew 14:31

The shepherd had never left. He was there, standing on the water as Peter walked out to him. Why did Peter doubt? Why do I doubt? Because my eyes are often on things other than my shepherd.

My faith has been so small at times. I'm glad that,

"If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself." 2 Timothy 2:13 
He leads me beside quiet waters as only a good shepherd would do. Protecting me when I may not see danger. Guiding me when I may not desire guidance. He has left me the peace that only He can give in this ever changing world.

"Peace I leave you. My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." John 14:31

The God of the universe has left His peace with believers. With me. It's not always peace that has to do with circumstances, although He does that as well. It's a peace that has to do with trust. A peace that has to do with trusting in the Lord as I trust this chair I'm sitting in now will not crash to the ground. I've placed all my weight in it. I'm resting in it. A peace the world cannot give nor can it understand, for this peace "surpasses all understanding." Phil. 4:7 The world says peace comes from our circumstances, what we can see. Our God says peace, shalom (the word for peace in Isaiah 26:3), or wholeness/completeness comes from trusting in Him. Something that cannot be seen. This peace is a part of the fruit of the spirit that is living in every believer. Gal. 5:22 Although it may be more apparent in some than others.:)

He leads me beside the still waters. He watches as I rest and He. Gives. Me. Peace.