Psalm 23:22He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. (Psalm 23:2) tells us, “He leadeth me beside the still waters.” Beside the still waters! What a place to lie in, beloved, in this world of trouble, of unrest, of aching, restless hearts! How many has the Shepherd so led through this valley and shadow of death and supplied them from an unseen source! Peter was told by the Chief Shepherd to feed the lambs and sheep, and he could say, “Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see Him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory” (1 Peter 1:88Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: (1 Peter 1:8)). Such is the sweet portion of those who are experiencing the trial of their faith.
Are you in trouble? Are your goods not increased enough? Do your friends lightly esteem you? Have you fears for tomorrow? Are you in debt or sick or bereaved? Is the thing come upon you which you feared? Does the Lord’s hand seem heavy upon you?
The Language of Faith
O beloved, for whom Christ died, God, by those very trials, is, in infinite love, opening a way for you of deepening joy, and Satan would enlist your doubts and fears only to close it against you. Which path will you walk in, that of faith or sight? “While we look not at the things which are seen,” says Paul (2 Cor. 4:1818While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:18)).
The language of faith is always brave language, because God is trusted and things seen do not occupy the mind. Shall I give all attention to my troubles or give heed to the Shepherd’s voice? There are trials in the path of faith, but, beloved, the trial is the door to lessons of joy and peace in Christ. Do not shrink back at the entrance. Our Lord Himself, for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross. “Surely there is an end; and thine expectation shall not be cut off” (Prov. 23:1818For surely there is an end; and thine expectation shall not be cut off. (Proverbs 23:18)).
What were the things that men saw Paul passing through? They are recorded in 2 Corinthians 4, such as “troubled on every side.” Might he not have chosen an easier path? How many have done so, but before Paul’s eye there opened up, not the fear of fresh trials in the future, but the far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. In this way we make our calling and election sure, and the heart gets familiar with the prospect of glory. As the aged warrior Paul could say, “For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day” (2 Tim. 1:1212For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. (2 Timothy 1:12)).
The Trials
The trials are only to bring you beside the still waters in companionship with the Shepherd. If trouble has taken away your happiness in the Lord, on what was your happiness based? The place of quiet and refreshment is not found by freedom from trouble, but by a shorter, quicker path: “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time: casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you” (1 Peter 1:6-76Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: 7That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: (1 Peter 1:6‑7)).
Then will the song be raised, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” The lessons of trial (it may be bitter) have taught the soul this sweet confidence, and a personal relationship is recognized between the individual and the Lord. It is not “the Lord is the shepherd,” as He is for all, but I have learned with delight that He is my Shepherd. It is no dry argument or reasoning, but a sweet assurance made good in the depth of the heart. What a stay for the soul! The Lord—the Almighty—is my caretaker. It is true that it is in weakness we have to learn this trust, for trusting is acknowledged weakness, and we shrink from that. The flesh cannot do it, but when the lesson is learned and the heart content to trust, what a source of strength the child of God has! “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee” (Isa. 26:33Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. (Isaiah 26:3)).
The Lord’s Love
Are your circumstances such that you cannot get comfort in them? Then know that the Lord is hedging you in, that you may be forced to look up, since you cannot see beyond or through the difficulty. If it hurts your pride and disappoints your expectations, be assured that the Lord has a better thing for you. We may distrust Him, but He does not rest until He has opened the eye to see His love.
It is a great thing to be persuaded of the Lord’s love. This indeed fills the heart and gives quietness in every moment. Because He loved me, He gave Himself for me. The springs are in Himself. I may forget myself, then, and dwell upon His love alone.
Let us not seek then to walk by sight. Let us not be wearied of faith, for to faith all is bright, and the feet stand firm upon the solid, everlasting basis of God’s promise. So long then as we are in this life, we remain so by “the will of God.” Is there anything then to which we cannot submit, seeing it is His will? Only for a little while is the trouble, “for yet a little while, and He that shall come will come, and will not tarry” (Heb. 10:3737For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. (Hebrews 10:37)). Beloved, He it is who leads, not we, and He it is who restores the soul. Not one bit of care belongs to you, but let the heart be free to enjoy His love and speak His praise.
Christian Truth (adapted)