Psalm 23–#4 Still Waters

“He leads me beside the still waters”

How do you view God?

Several years ago USA Today published a survey that found over 31% of Americans saw God as an “Authoritarian.” They felt he was mostly angry and was ready to punish us if we didn’t shape up.

More than 24% viewed God as “distant,” and 16% saw God as “critical” and “judgmental.”

So, more than 70% held a view of God contrary to the teaching of the Bible and the thesis of this Psalm–”The Lord is my Shepherd.

Lynn Anderson in his book “They Smell Like Sheep” uses the Shepherd/Sheep analogy for church leadership. He observes that some Elders have a distorted leadership paradigm with “the cowboy model.” While Cowboys drive the herd, shouting, cracking whips or stinging stubborn cattle with prods, the Shepherd gently leads the sheep.

“Cowboys force the herd to go their way” Anderson penned. “Not so with the shepherd. The shepherd depends upon relationship.” Twice in this short Psalm David stresses, “He leads.”

Warren Wiersbe writes that the Hebrew word translated “leads” means to “gently lead.” Our Shepherd is not harsh, but humble, meek, and gentle (Matt. 11:28-30). His voice is inviting. Soothing. Reassuring.

The Good Shepherd leads us where we need to go. He leads away from dangerous and destructive paths. He leads us to what we need, not necessarily what we want. He leads us at the right time, in the right way, to the right place.

He leads us beside the still waters.

Those familiar with sheep have observed that because of their timidity, they are afraid of rapids or rushing waters. They’re not good swimmers. Of course, neither would you be if you were wearing a wool overcoat! Phillip Keller says that “when sheep are thirsty, they become restless and set out in search of water.” If the shepherds fail to find them clean water from a non-threatening stream, they will drink polluted water which may infect them with parasites or other diseases.

The parallel to our spiritual lives is obvious and striking. Jesus taught that those who have a spiritual thirst will receive refreshment (Matt. 5:6). Our Shepherd promises and delivers “living water” (Jn. 4:10-11). And so He boldly proclaims, “If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink.”

There is an innate desire within us for something more. Something greater Something better. Something beyond the earthly, material, and carnal. Augustine of Africa summed it up when he penned, “O God! Thou hast made us for Thyself, and our souls are restless, searching, ‘til they find rest in Thee.”

Sadly, too many people, even some Christians, fail to follow the Shepherd to the pure, clean water of life. They settle for less. For activities that amuse, but don’t satisfy their thirst. They leave us empty and unfulfilled. Worse yet, some even drink at polluted streams of carnality, sensuality, and secularism. The water from these sources poison the mind, infect and inflame the emotions, and contaminate the soul.

Psalm 23 provides a better view of God, a Scriptural view, as our Good Shepherd. Thus, may echo the sentiment from the song of Bill and Gloria Gaither…

Gentle shepherd come and lead us
For we need you to help us find our way
Gentle shepherd come and feed us
For we need your strength from day to day

There’s no other we can turn to
Who can help us face another day
Gentle shepherd come and lead us
For we need You to help us find our way

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman