Finding Peace In Troubled Times - pt. 2 Devotional

Want to take Sunday's message with you further into the week?  Want to discuss Sunday's message with your small group?  The following weekly devotional is written Debi Edwards, who attends Riverview Community Church.

PASTURE OF PEACE 

"He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside still waters." Ps. 23:2

A good shepherd must make certain his flock is adequately hydrated, well fed and rested, despite their stubbornness. Thirsty sheep may be easily led to water, but a sheep in the midst of a luscious, tasty, aromatic, green pasture isn’t going to be too keen on taking time out to rest. I would imagine getting a sheep to sleep in these circumstances is akin to getting a 4-year old to bed on Halloween night - so much candy, so little time!

So it is with the Good Shepherd. In the hustle and bustle of 21st century life, humanity has little time for a Savior taking a personal interest in their rest and diet- or anything else for that matter! The lure of media, technology and recreation can easily overpower the spiritual needs of our hearts.
But if we listen to Him who calls our name and allow Him to lead us, well, we’ll be pleasantly surprised at the Good Shepherd’s lack of obtrusiveness and pushiness. Of course, if our feistiness gets out of hand, like a 4-year old, it’s “time out!” He’s not averse to MAKING us lie down.
And those times of forced rest - whether by illness, unemployment, vacation, incarceration or becoming a caregiver, are used by God to reveal so much of his character to us. In turn, we become more trusting, more faithful, more like the Good Shepherd Himself. Resting slows the busy down and sharpens our “spiritual senses.” Shouldn’t we be willing to rest in His pasture of peace and drink his living water*? *John 4:10

APPLICATION QUESTIONS
1. How does this world “distract” you from needed rest?
2. What is the spiritual need of your heart? How does media, technology or recreation satisfy or overpower that need?
3. Describe how your obedience to God’s call has brought you closer to Him?
4. If you have experienced a “forced rest”, what did you learn about God’s character? How did your faith grow?

PRAYER
Father God, thank you for being my Good Shepherd. Thank you for taking an interest in my spiritual, emotional and physical needs. I admit I have not put aside the things of this world, that draw me away from you. Forgive me for not following you with my whole heart. Teach me Lord, how to live in your pasture of peace, to slow down, to feed on your Word and drink of your Living Water.