He leads me beside the still waters (Psalm 23:2b)
Sheep need water. Water is essential to all mammals. We are told that humans are composed of about 70% water. Without water in our cells, we would soon die.
The sheep, when it is thirsty, will be on the move, in an attempt to quench its thirst. If it does not find good water, it will drink from any stream, which might contain harmful parasites. The Shepherd is the source of good water—He leads them to the water, gently, with care.
Likewise, humans have a natural thirst for God. If we do not find the true God, which can only be done through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, we will drink from many different polluted pools. The story of religion and paganism is the story of a vain search for God, based on our natural thirst for Him.
Only our Good Shepherd is able to supply us with the water we need. He alone knows where the good, clean, still waters reside. On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. (38) He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” (John 7:37, 38)
Sheep generally get their water from three sources. First, there is dew. The morning grass is generally dripping with the pure water of dew. It is said that if it isn’t too hot, sheep can go several months simply on this dew without drinking.
The believer who is best able to cope with the strains of life is the one who rises early in the morning to drink from God’s Word. This quiet time is a practical reality for the Christian life. This time alone with the Lord brings refreshment to the mind, spirit, and soul. We can face the day, knowing that the Lord is with us and that His way is perfect.
So many in the world try drinking from other sources, and come up thirsty. How sad.
(Jer 2:13) “For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, and hewn themselves cisterns—broken cisterns that can hold no water.
The second source of water is deep wells. In arid places, these wells have to be hewn out of the earth near a water source. The sheep are then led down to the well.
This reminds us that our water supply is entirely dependent upon our Good Shepherd. Sometimes the well looks like a dangerous place, and the walk to it is perilous. But this is the only way the sheep are going to get water. Often, the Lord will bring a believer to a difficult place, but it has been prepared by Him, and it is for his good.
Then, sheep will water at quiet springs, streams, pools. Sheep cannot drink from fast-moving water. It frightens them, and there is the danger of their being carried away. The shepherd is careful to lead the sheep to streams where the water flows softly.
How wonderful is our Good Shepherd who leads His own to the still waters. After the storms of life, they can rest in Him. They find satisfaction in Him alone.
One day the Shepherd will lead His children to fountains of living water. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. (Revelation 7:17)
O thirsty soul, come to the Savior; He patiently waits!