Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: GREEN (01/19/17)
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TITLE: Value the Familiar | Previous Challenge Entry
By Teresa Odden
01/25/17 -
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I’ve been to numerous funerals where Psalm 23 was included on the pamphlet. I’m encouraged when I see it, especially knowing many of those in attendance weren’t believers. At the same time, I wonder if the beautiful promises were skimmed over because they are familiar to believers and unbelievers. I must admit that I’ve thumbed through them many times because I know what it says.
I recently read a writing suggesting that scripture shouldn’t be included at the beginning of a message because most people ignore it. I ask you: “did you skim Psalm 23 above, skip them all together, or did you let the Word of God permeate your spirit and soul?”
Over the last few months God has guided me to focus on this familiar Psalm. I think part of it is because I tend to focus on it primarily during the challenges in life. God wants me to reflect on it during good times too.
Verse two stood out in a new way. “He makes me like down in green pastures.” I questioned why it states, “makes me,” if God doesn’t force us. We have free will.
A dear friend wisely stated, “God doesn’t step in where free will begins.” I look at “makes me,” the same as God compelling me to do something. God compels me to follow His instructions so I can obtain His promises that follow in verses 3-6.
Why does God push me to lie down? I thought of my children when I would make them go to bed. Sometimes they would fight it and in those moments they became irrational. It isn’t easy communicating with a child who is exhausted and doesn’t know what they need most. Rest.
When my children finally obeyed, most often sleep fell upon them immediately. They were so tired their breathing was silent and shallow. It was precious to see a calm come over them. I feel God wants me to look at it in similar fashion.
I must be purposeful and allow God to push me to do things His way. His ways are for my well-being in the same way my intentions were for my children.
Sitting and feasting in the presence of God is where I discover the tranquility of lying in “green pastures.” There is a calm where everything is silent, but the voice of God.
Psalm 23 is one of many treasures to welcome God’s presence. God encourages me to stop because it is during those moments where I thirst for more of the sweetness of His being. I learn to adore Him. Solitude turns my focus from me to God.
When I desire nothing but God, my pleasure becomes the only necessary pleasure – God.
I don’t want to arrow back on a website or set aside an article because the first thing I see is scripture. I don’t want to place the words of man above the only words that I need: the living Word of God.
I want to value scripture to the point if I never read another book, I would gaze at it as though it were for the first time. When verses are listed on a website, I want to hover over them, stop, and reflect what God is teaching me before I move forward with the rest of the article. Too often I move on without reflection.
My prayer: “Forgive me, Lord, when I put man’s words above your living Word. Help me to never take for granted scripture. Help me to see it with fresh eyes whether I read it directly from my Bible, in a book, or a blog posts. Help me to rest in “green pastures,” where the Bread of Life rejuvenates me and draws me closer to you. I rest in you.” Amen
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You have spoken to my heart, for I agree. God's Words alone are our green pastures. May we never gloss over the importance of "every word that proceeds from the mouth of God."
And is He not gracious to take it all to bring us to Himself?
Well done, and great prayer at the close.
Blessings~