Prodigal: The water is very calm.

Me: Yes, and a perfect place to rest.

This is from the book God’s Psychiatry by Charles L. Allen

The sheep is a very timid creature. Especially is it afraid of swiftly moving water, which it had good reason to fear.

The sheep is a very poor swimmer because of its heavy coat of wool. It would be like a man trying to swim with his overcoat on. The water soaks into the sheep’s coat and pulls it down.

Instinctively, the sheep knows it cannot swim in swift current. The sheep will not drink from a moving stream. The sheep will drink only from still waters.

The shepherd does not laugh at the sheep’s fears. He does not try to force the sheep. Instead, as he leads his sheep across the mountains and valleys, he is constantly on the watch for still waters, where the thirst of the sheep may be quenched.

If there are no still waters available, while the sheep are resting, the shepherd will gather up stones to fashion a dam across a small stream to form a pool from which even the tiniest lamb may drink without fear.

This petition of the Twenty-third Psalm has wonderful meaning for us. God knows our limitations, and He does not condemn us because we have weaknesses. He does not force us where we cannot safely and happily go. God never demands of us work which is beyond our strength and abilities.

Instead, God is constantly ministering to our needs. He understands the loads upon our shoulders. He also knows where the places of nourishment and refreshment are located.

It gives one confidence to know that even while he is sleeping, the Shepherd is working to prepare for his needs tomorrow.

Psalm 121:3-4

He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org