Monday, December 17, 2007

Pasture and Water

"[In] the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert. And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water: in the habitation of dragons, where each lay, shall be grass with reeds and rushes." Isaiah 35:6b, 7

Though trials and tribulations are a part of God's plan four our lives, so are still waters and green pastures. We should forget neither the purging fire that He is, nor the invigorating life that He is. In His presence, not only is that which is dead burned away, but also that which is barren and dry is filled and satisfied. Nowhere but in God can we find pasture and water for our soul.
"He maketh me to lie down in pastures of tender green grass: He leadeth me beside the waters of rest." (Psalm 23:2; Rev. Marg.) Just listen to the sound of that! "Tender green grass...waters of rest." There is the valley of the shadow of death, but there is also the pastures and the waters. Both are a fact in our lives. Anyone who tries to simplistically sum up existence with "Life is pain," or "Life is happiness," is selling you something. Life is far more complex than such "boy's philosophies," because God is more complex, and He is our life. Walking in intimate communion with Him will mean walking many times through the twilight of death and the dawn of life. To know Him, intimately know Him, means partaking in both "the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings" (Philippians 3:10, 11). Life with God is a life, with all the beauties and tragedies that come with it.

Oh, I want to know You more.
Deep within my soul, I want to know You.
And I would give my final breath,
To know You in Your death and resurrection.
Oh, I want to know You more...
(from Steve Green)
-Jon Vowell

No comments: