More of God’s Presence – Week 2
Welcome to Week 2 of our Psalm 23 series – More of God’s Presence. If you missed last week you can view it HERE.
With my long blonde hair pulled tight into pig tails I pranced through the luscious green grass feeling every blade between my toes. I found a nice spot to sit, and I began to examine the grass, so tender and vibrant green.
My grandma’s lawn was the prettiest I had ever seen. Each blade of grass could stand alone. The name was St. Augustine and it beckoned my name from the car window as soon as we pulled up to her house.
As I ponder Psalm 23:2 when the Psalmist says, “He makes me lie down in green pastures,” I think of Grandma’s grass. I don’t know that her backyard quite measures up to a pasture, but in my young mind, the joy that being in her yard brought me is much like the joy I experience when I know things are right between me and my Savior.
Sometimes when life gets hard, I long for rest, for joy, for relief. Just as the St. Augustine grass seems to call for a child to run through it with bare feet, I believe our Shepherd calls for us by name. More than that, I believe He commands us. Psalm 23:2 says, “He makes me.” The problem comes when I decide I don’t want to play in the grass or reply in my own pride, “You can’t make me.”
Perhaps I miss rest in times of distress because I am too busy tending to what I think I need to be doing, rather than submitting to the Shepherd. I want to frolic through the green grass that He has prepared for me. I want to feel the childlike joy and relish in the refreshing moments alone with my Shepherd. I want to hear Him call me closer and I want to know that when He does, I will go.
The memories of running barefoot through Grandma’s lawn brings the sweetest joy to my soul all these years later. Oh how I long to return to our special spot right beside her old aluminum chair. I loved the precious moments when she would pick me up and squeeze me tight gently rocking me back and forth as we watched the birds, and talked about how good God was.
More than Grandma’s embrace and the memories of special moments with her, I want to experience memorable moments with God. His presence is sweeter than the innocence of a child. His love is grander than that of a grandparent.
Oh how God’s presence brings rest to a tired soul.
Oh how God’s grass gives satisfaction to a longing life.
Oh how God’s embrace provides joy for a struggling heart.
Whatever you are facing today, I hope you will listen to the Shepherd’s call when it is your turn to lie down in green pastures. If it’s been a long time since you’ve felt that sweet embrace and His presence of peace seems far away, it’s time to let the Shepherd take you to the pasture. I promise there is rest in His presence. The green grass is soft, thick, and ready for you to run in. You’re never too old and the joy gets sweeter as the days go by.
If you’ve experienced rest in His presence share what it was like in the comments below. If you don’t know what it’s like to rest in the security of God’s presence, you can experience His presence right where you are today.
The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures. Psalm 23:1-2a
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Love & Blessings,
Micah
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