"There is a place of quiet rest, near to the heart of God."
"There is a place of quiet rest, near to the heart of God."
he shepherd always walks ahead of his sheep wherever they go. He never attempts to drive them ahead of himself. The sheep know that wherever the shepherd is, there is safety and protection and rest. The shepherd always leads, and the sheep are never afraid to follow wherever he leads even when the way seems to go into difficult places.
The shepherd leads the sheep to the quiet waters of a shallow stream or fresh pool of water. The sheep are afraid of rushing water or deep rivers and lakes; they will only drink from quiet streams and cool pools, and this is where the shepherd always takes the flock for refreshment. The sheep can never find quiet waters by themselves, for they are confused unless the shepherd is leading.
T
esus our Shepherd leads US beside quiet waters. We cannot go there except by His guidance. He never drives us, but is always leading by His example and the gentle drawing power of His love. We are never afraid when Jesus is there, for we know that He has traveled the same road before us and knows the way. We know we are always safe in His loving embrace and protection. We are never alone as long as we follow our Shepherd wherever He leads.
Jesus gives us the quietness of His Spirit. It removes us from the noise and clutter of the world. When we are in the presence of Jesus Christ our Shepherd, and bask in the love streaming from the heart of our Lord, we are refreshed and at peace.
