Still Waters Run Deep

So let us go to one of mine and most everyone's favorite psalm, the 23rd, and verse 2 & 3, "He leads me beside the still waters; He restores my soul." Picture in your mind a deep inviting pool, fed by a stream not far from the road of life we all travel.

Who brought us to this pool? Jesus brought us here. It is His own pool, and He welcomes us because He wants His joy to be in us, that our own joy might be full. It is not a healing pool as such, even though it will restore your soul. It is not a baptismal pool as such, though baptism is of course available. It is not intended as a sacred rite of purification or an illustration such as some religions devise. It is not even a refuge or place of consolation with hypnotic effects.

It is just a pure foundation of sheer joy, and as you drink from it and swim and splash in it, you will find the "still waters" to be an unparalleled place of delights.

I am suggesting we look at it as something deeper. Its quiet sparkle is so delicious that it will make the soul quiver with joy. For the believer to bathe in it is to find life charming in its simplicity, quite apart from such addictions and drugs as the world would like to introduce.

The lush trees and flowers bordering the pool, the leaves and petals rippling in a cool breeze, seem to promise something like a paradise beyond this planet. It is what many seek and few find the very ecstasy of tasting and knowing Jesus. In the still waters of Psalm 23 we, as part of His flock, sense the presence of God, the God of love and faith and hope, smiling on us. Goodness and mercy are everywhere. We feel them, we hear them, and we taste them in the air and in the water. It is truly a time of restoring our souls. All our senses tell us that everything is right with God and ourselves, and our first reaction is, "Glory!" "Glory!" "Glory!"

However, beware, the pool is surrounded by impassible briars, thickets, and lies. The way to it from the main road is a secret route, a narrow path. That is to say, the path itself is a key word that takes one safely through the surrounding underbrush. The word is "Jesus," a Name that offends many. Nevertheless it is one which, accepted by the mind and heart of the believer, quickly leads past all obstacles to the quiet edge of still waters.

In seeking this pool of “still waters” I’ve seen many friends lose their way, for there are paths leading all different ways. Often it is because they cannot accept something difficult in the New Testament, or they are overwhelmed by the warnings in the Old Testament. They follow signs that promise shortcuts, an easier way through the thick briars, a path where there is no absolute Truth, a path that does not require faith or repentance or blood atonement for sin.

So many of them have left the road to wander through the dense underbrush, some of them bewildered, others determined and confident, many train themselves to be almost satisfied with little, so they keep retracing their steps to the road and give up trying to reach the shore of God's pool of joy. We meet these lost friends at various stopping points. They feel they have made their adjustment. They write books about their achievements, for they consider that they have been victorious in the struggles of life, but the delicious elixir, the very honey that fills our mouth when we speak the name of Jesus is missing. They were caught in the thickets, the briars, the lies and gave up trying to find their way to the pool. Quite naturally, they conclude that there is no pool, but there is, it is an awesome part of the journey.

For sure I can’t take you to this pool. Only God's Word (the Living Water) can do that, in the power of His Spirit. But maybe, just maybe, as you read these thoughts of mine you will find yourself being led to call upon the Name of Jesus and take the plunge into that enjoyable, refreshing pool. With Jesus it is easy to find the Still Waters where the Shepherd restores the soul. Then you will know what joy is, overwhelming, thrilling, exulting joy, for you will have it.

When Christ is formed in you, the "secret thing" will be yours forever, and you will come alive, and follow Him, and know a deep peace, and hear the infectious laughter of angels as you lounge with Jesus beside this pool of still waters.

In Christ,

Sandy Perry

03/01/09


Banging the name of Jesus



The Sweetest most Precious name I’ve ever heard
Christ Jesus the Logos, God’s revealed Word
We cry out for Him to save us, heal us and protect us
Yet we don’t want to sing to them the name of Jesus
We kneel before Him and pray His Holy Spirit fills us
Yet we don’t want to sing to them the Sweet name of Jesus
What more can a simple old sinner such as I do?
Jesus took this cold heart and warmed it from within
Took all the hate, pain and suffering I have been through
Washed me clean with His blood forgiving all my sins
Fills me with His love and a heart that is brand new
As Christians we are little Christ’s, He is always with us
Yet we still don’t want to sing to them the dear sweet name of Jesus
I do so pray this is not so, to whom for all our answers do we go?
I sincerely hope it is too JESUS!