THE SAGEBRUSH AND BARREN HILLS of eastern Washington stretched in sharp contrast to the lush forested growth of our familiar and beloved western Oregon. Yet, the Lord cared for us that brown and barren winter—and for six winters, blossoming springs, hot summers, and balmy autumns. That first January, I felt comforted knowing that grass can’t come up brown; it must sprout green at some point. Sure enough, when canals opened in spring, irrigation became flumes of life across the hillsides. Wherever water flowed, hills greened with grass, grain, asparagus, mint, hops, vegetables, and fruit orchards. Without water, only tough sagebrush survived.

The Lord makes us lie down in green pastures but sometimes it feels like a long desert trek between those watered spots. Sometimes the hot sun and strong scent of sage dulls our ability to think clearly and we forget how faithfully He always provided every meal, every resting place, and every shelter. Sometimes we fear the rugged terrain. Yet, He goes before us and reminds us that our present circumstance only provides a passageway to an abundant pasture. He knows the way and He knows how best to get us there. We only need to keep our focus on Him, knowing He will give us abundantly above all we can ask or imagine if we trust and follow Him.

What exactly do sheep do when they lie down in a green pasture? Yes, they chew their cud. Sheep give us a great example to feed on God’s faithfulness. Psalm 37:3 says, “Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.” We take in a fine meal from His word, find a quiet place to meditate on what we read, and allow its nutrients to strengthen our souls. Gorging on good food but never taking time to properly digest it could give us serious spiritual indigestion. Even small bites digested are better than gorging but never digesting. To lie down, means to stop. STOP. Stop and seriously think about what God has said. Never taking time-out to digest those morsels of truth leads to anxiety and frustration. In fact, Psalm 37: 8 says, “Do not fret—it only causes harm.”

Feeding on God’s faithfulness causes spiritual growth and strength. Jesus tells a story of a farmer who scatters seed on the ground in Mark 4:26-29. Night and day while the man is asleep or awake, the seed sprouts and grows, but he does not understand how it happens. So too, our growth and nourishment is something God does. We don’t understand it, but we can trust Him fully to do what we cannot do. Psalm 1 tells us that those who meditate on God’s Word day and night, will grow like trees planted by streams of water, which yields fruit in season, whose leaf does not wither, and whatever they do prospers.

So let’s take time to quiet our hearts and minds, allow His word to nourish our souls, and choose to trust and follow Him through desert times. We praise Him because He nourishes us in those quiet times, gives us water in the desert, pools along the way, strength to climb the mountains in the heat of day. He gives mercy every morning—great His faithfulness! His love—unfailing, steadfast, yes, praise the LORD, we are so blest!

COURAGE

Trek across the desert,
Dusty, hot and dry.
I wonder where He leads us
And I wonder why.
There is no path to follow,
No sign-posts mark the way,
Just endless sand and dried up brush
Day by day…by day.
Discouragement is nagging,
Mirages rise and fall.
Was Egypt worse than this?
Will death come to us all?
Where is food and water?
Is manna all we get?
Oh, this bread is wearisome
And we’re not there yet!
Suddenly slithering snakes appear.
Fiery venomous vipers!
Thankless grumblers falling
to consequential snipers.
O God! We’ve sinned against You!
With thanklessness and lust.
Please take away the Devil’s bite
before we turn to dust.
So Moses made a serpent
And put it on a pole
And all who gazed upon it
Were made well and whole.
A cross was raised to heaven
Where Jesus bore my sin.
I turn my eyes from selfishness
To gaze on Him.
Discouragement will lead
To believe the devil’s lie
That God will yet forsake me
When He promised to supply.
To green pastures He will lead me
And there I’ll meditate
In quiet peace and safety
To apply the Word I ate.
I humbly bow before Him now
To thank Him for His grace,
Thankful that He gives me
Strength and courage
To run this race.

—MarJean S. Peters