Green Pastures

"He maketh me to lie down in green pastures." - Psalm 23:1

That sounds kind of nice. 'Green pastures.' That means it's warm, it's growing season. There is plenty to eat for the shapherd's sheep because, hey, they EAT grass! Plus, it's also more comfortable to lie down on than rocks and gravel. But what does all that mean for those of us who believe in God?

'Green pastures' for us sheep mean words like 'plenty', 'comfort', 'peace', and 'prosperity'. But those words have a different meaning to the Christian than they do to those who belong to the world.

For the non-believer, plenty and prosperity mean we are rich financially, we have a big house and a fancy car. We have so much of these things that we can just waste them without concern.

The unbeliever finds comfort in their lifestyle, no matter what that means, no metter what sins they commit, because it's exactly what THEY want. And it's all about them.

For the Christians however, these words have totally different meanings.

'Prosperity' for the Christian means that we have received God's blessings. We are 'rich' in love. God is all we need.

'Plenty' means that we have enough so that we can share what we have with others.

'Comfort' doesn't mean that we have people waiting on us hand and foot, or that we don't have anything to worry about. Comfort is something that God does for us and something we do for others.

'Peace' is something we receive from God when we are struggling. Peace comes when we 'fully rely on God.' (F-R-O-G)

'Lying down in green pastures' is a metaphor for God supplying our every need. The only question is....

Is Jesus your shepherd?