My summer home is in the White Mountains of Arizona, USA. Because this area is so lush in the summer, ranchers bring their cattle up from lower elevations to feast on the acres of green vegetation tucked in between the ponderosa pines and aspens. Again this year, one morning, I drove to Greer, a mountain town at an elevation of 8500 feet (2590 metres). I passed through pine forests with meadows full of cattle interspersed here and there. In one of those meadows, a group of cows were contentedly resting on that lush grass, right next to a pond full of clear mountain water. With food and water in abundance, they had all that they needed and were satisfied: bellies full and thirst slaked.

Psalm 23:1-2 – The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. (KJV)

As I looked at those cattle resting in abundance, I thought about the 23rd Psalm. It gives us a clear picture of how we should rest in Jesus. He is our Shepherd and offers us provision and guidance. If we let Him, He can take away our fears, provide for our needs, help us deal with problems, and satisfy our hunger for spiritual wisdom. Then, like those cattle, we can rest by the still waters, content with what He offers us.

But there was one cow that had somehow managed to escape to the other side of the fence, munching away just a few feet from the road. Seemingly unconcerned about the cars whizzing by and not satisfied with the richness and safety available within the boundaries, it had found a gap in the fence and thought that it could find greener pastures elsewhere.

Aren't we just like that sometimes? We aren't satisfied with what we have or who we are, so we continue to seek out new experiences, ideas, and information, or to buy new toys.

Psalm 37:7a – Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act. (NLT)

Psalm 4:8 – In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe. (NLT)

Isaiah 26:3 – You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! (NLT)

We would do well to emulate that herd of cattle, being content to lie down in the green pastures of the Word of God and accepting the peace that He offers, instead of escaping outside the fence to search for something else. As we feed on the Word and abide in His will, He will fill us with contentment and peace.

Prayer: Lord, help us to be willing to rest in Your abundant care, instead of escaping outside the fence to search for something better. We want to do Your will. Amen.