Sometimes we need reminding that God’s idea of provision and our idea of provision, may be different.
My hubby and I attend a small group with some people from our church. Over the past few months, we have been watching a video series on the Holy Land. The idea is to give modern-day Bible readers, a more accurate picture of Biblical imagery and the landscape, where many of the stories occurred.
It’s been a really interesting study and I’ve learned a lot. But, last night’s session, really hit home with me. The focus was on shepherds and sheep. Sheep are often discussed in the Bible, as are shepherds. Abraham, Isaac, and David were all shepherds. Jesus referred to himself as the, “the good shepherd.”
Last night’s video journey showed us the actual land where shepherds would have lived during Biblical times and some actually still do. It’s nothing like this Georgia girl would have ever imagined.
When I picture green pastures, like the ones referred to in the 23rd Psalm, I have always pictured knee-high alfalfa grass. I have pictured rolling acres of lush grass, so much grass that the sheep could never eat it all.
But, this is not the reality in Israel. There is often very little water and the grass is actually watered from moist air coming off of the sea. The only way the sheep can survive, is to follow the shepherds closely, because the shepherds know where the next meal is.
So, when the Psalm says, “He makes me lie down in green pastures,” it doesn’t mean He gives us all that we will ever need. It means, He will give us enough, our daily bread, which Jesus speaks of in the New Testament.
The concept of enough is tricky for us these days, though, isn’t it? We like to plan and save and we often lose any meaning of today by worrying about what might or might not come tomorrow.
Yet, Jesus calls us to do just that.
“Give us this day, our daily bread,” He said when He was teaching His disciples to pray. Nowhere does Jesus ever say we should be super concerned about tomorrow. But, that’s how we build faith, right?
We take one day at a time, one step at a time and we trust that God will provide and we learn to accept that His provision of green pastures and our understanding of green pastures are often two very different scenarios. But, we trust and obey anyway.
Because we know that as long as we stay close to the Good Shepherd, we are loved, treasured, redeemed, and yes, provided for, on earth and in heaven. Maybe you needed reminding today.
Have an awesome day!
Wendy 🙂