Greener Pastures

[Chris2023]

This passage mentions Psalm 23 and the green pastures needed for herds, the very sustenance of life. Before it was mentioned I had a realization this is exactly what Psalm 23 was referring to, but I had never thought of this Psalm in this way. I always thought of green pastures and the quiet waters of Psalm 23 as a nice weekend away, but for the psalmist it was quite literally the essence of survival in the desert. Rest in a green pasture for the psalmist is a sabbath after days of wandering in the desert to feed his flock. It is, “Give us today our daily bread!”
As I write this I am aware that my green pasture is abundant and I do not need to search it out. I have been blessed with great family, with resources, with education, with meaningful employment and with abundant possessions. It is no wonder we find it hard to rest in the 21st century. While we work, work, work, it is often just business and the quest for life for self or others. Perhaps if we did less that was more meaningful, we’d also appreciate the rest when the Lord provides.