2. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
he leadeth me beside the still waters.
As I write this, it’s 100 degrees here in the Grand Valley of Colorado, not untypical for summer heat in the high desert area of Western Colorado. At least it’s a dry heat. The reward comes in the evening when temperatures usually drop about 30 degrees.
As a kid I grew up in the Midwest where there was not only the heat but add to that the humidity! But never fear. There was always Nestea Iced Tea to cool you off. Do you know about the Nestea Plunge? In the mid to late 70s Nestea ran a marketing campaign called the Nestea Plunge. You can look up the commercials online. The commercials featured someone who was in the heat, working or playing or whatever. The point was that this person was hot and sweaty, and looking for some sort of relief.
From where did their relief come? Right on que the person has an ice-cold, ice cube filled tall glass of Nestea iced tea. They take their first drink and instantaneously they’re plunged into a pool of cool water. The point? When you’re hot, tired, and sweaty and looking for relief, take the Nestea plunge and you’ll be revived.
There are times in everyone’s life where, at the end of the day (and during the day), the heat of our lives can take a toll. We look for relief, but where do we go? Psalm 23:2 gives the answer.
The Good Shepherd leads you to green, fresh pastures as opposed to the deserted places with dry grass. [1] The Good Shepherd brings God’s future refreshment to you in the present through the Sacrament of Baptism. There in Baptism is where God claimed you as one of His dear little lambs. There in your Baptismal waters the Living Water, Jesus, brings you refreshment, especially on those days when you’re feeling the heat of life. The Ancient Church Fathers remind us of this as well.
THEODORET OF CYR: He hints at the water of rebirth, in which the baptized person longs for grace and sheds the old age of sin and is made young instead of being old. COMMENTARY ON THE PSALMS 23.2.
AUGUSTINE: He nurtured me beside the water of baptism, where those who have lost their soundness and strength are made new. EXPOSITIONS OF THE PSALMS 23.1–2.
CASSIODORUS: “The water of refreshment” is the baptismal font through which the soul, barren because of the dryness of sin, is watered by divine gifts in order that it may produce good fruits. EXPLANATION OF THE PSALMS 23.2.[2]
When you are parched and thirsty from life’s sins and the devil’s attacks, remember the cooling refreshing waters of your Baptism where God Himself plunged you into the Living Water of His Son. The Good Shepherd took the heat for you on the cross so that, even in the midst of the dryness of this world, He refreshes you with His grace and love.
[1] James W. Voelz, Concordia Commentary: Mark 1:1–8:26, ed. Dean O. Wenthe (St. Louis, MO: Concordia Publishing House, 2013), 422.
[2] Blaising, Craig A. and Carmen S. Hardin, eds., Psalms 1–50. ACCS 7. ICCS/Accordance electronic edition, version 2.6. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2008. 179.
A Redeker Respite 