Message Magazine’s Online Devotional for Tuesday, January 16, 2018
Listen to “Thoughts in Worship 01.16.2018” on Spreaker.
This is devotional thought number 51 in our devotional series, God’s Promises are Sure!
“He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters” (Psalm 23:2).
Life is crazy at times. Sometimes you want to get away from it all, but you can’t. You’re stuck here with the rest of us, and you need to find a way to unwind and decompress. The bills, crazy news cycle, and other noise creeps in to distract us. It’s not that we want to bury our heads in the sand. We just need a retreat. God is that retreat. He is that resting place. He is the little sanctuary of refuge in the time of storm.
Get Away With God
Whenever I feel overwhelmed during my workday, or need more quiet to clear my thoughts, besides asking God to give me peace, I often listen to nature sounds on my computer. I could go outside and experience nature, but that isn’t convenient because I need to accomplish my tasks for the day. I especially love the sounds of the pastures and gently flowing streams and brooks. 
They provide calm and focus while I wrestle with the deep things of God. Most of my work is related to studying, understanding, and sharing God’s words. I need clarity of mind and openness to the Lord’s leading through the Word and His Holy Spirit, so He will get the glory in my life.
David invested much time in real pastures and beside real calming waters. He well knew the difference between pastures blighted by drought and green pastures; waters building in raging tempests versus the waters that gently flowed, that gladdend every place they passed. He knew what it was to feel dry and abandoned. He knew what it felt like to have the joy of salvation. He knew what it was like to be overcome by the storms of his own lusts and war with his enemies. He knew what it was like to be comforted by the calming power of God.
On My Level
Imagine being able to switch off the noise of life for a few moments each day, where you can lay down, know that God is speaking to you, and be revived in His presence so you can face your day. Imagine being able to find that place at a moment’s notice, no matter what is going on. When you put your trust in God, He has promised to become that place. When you pray, you can expect, not that God will come down to you, as much as that may bring comfort to some, but that you will be elevated to Him.
Paul said that we are to be seated in heavenly places with Christ Jesus. We lift up our heads and think toward God’s holy mountain of power, refuge, provision, and confidence. We can be revived by the life-giving waters that issue forth from the throne room of God, by giving Him praise, giving thanks, praying without ceasing, and being conduits through which His blessings can flow to those who need His help. He will lead and give rest to all who choose to trust Him like David did. The mouth of the Lord has spoken.
