He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
he refreshes my soul.
- from Psalm 23:2-3

Yesterday, the Lord made us lie down in green pastures. Today, we’re going to see movement. He’s going to lead us toward and through treacherous places. But we will have stops along the way.

The first stop in Psalm 23 is alongside quiet waters in order to restore our souls.

That phrase “quiet waters” signals that this watering hole is a safe place to drink. Sheep get skittish around rough and cascading waters. The noise and splashing scares them. Quiet waters are the only waters that actually help skittish sheep.

But quiet watering holes can be dangerous places. That’s where the predators lurk. They hide along the banks and among the reeds, waiting for an unsuspecting sheep to wander over for a drink. The quiet waters in Psalm 23 are safe not because they are quiet, but because the Shepherd is there to protect the sheep.

From the sheep’s perspective, they’re having a peaceful day at the watering hole. But all around them the Shepherd keeps watch. Maybe scaring predators away. Perhaps even fighting. And the sheep would have no idea.

David knew all about this because he worked for years as a shepherd. Although the sheep wouldn’t know it, the shepherd deserves credit for the sheep’s safety. But David’s no sheep. He knew to give God credit for his safety. Over and over again throughout the psalms, David sees glory-beauty-quiet of nature and gives God credit. He knows who’s looking out for him.

And the Lord is looking out for us. If our souls are parched, lying down in green pastures isn’t going to do us any good. We need to take something in to be fully refreshed, water for our souls. Resting is essential but not sufficient for a fully healthy soul. We need fresh input.

If refreshing means fresh input, have you identified what refreshes your soul?

Here are some things that refresh us: listening to good music on my mountain bike, cooking, attending conferences, reading, time with friends, prayer, listening to a great sermon, adventures with the kids, and dancing.

What refreshes you?