One thing that I enjoy doing in spring is walking through the fields and seeing the lambs. I enjoy standing and watching them wobble about as they are learning to walk. Standing there I listen to the mama sheep baaing and calling their lamb. I watch as the lambs look to find their mama.

The Fruit of the Spirit for this month is peace. Standing there looking at the green fields I see and feel peace.

Psalm 23 The Peace of Provision

David knew a lot more about sheep then I do. He spent many hours watching the sheep and caring for the sheep. As we read Psalm 23, we can see peace in so many areas.

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” – Having all your needs met is peace. There is no anxiety or worries about the things that are lacking.

“He makes me lie down in green pastures.” We can lie down because we know that there is protection, there is someone looking after us, taking care of us. We have no fears. We have peace.

“He leads me beside still waters.” The shepherd knows what we need, still waters. He meets our needs providing what we need. We have peace.

“He restores my soul. He Leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” The shepherd cares and provides what we need to restore our souls. The soul restoration will bring harmony and peace.

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.” What a beautiful picture of peace. The valley is hard with the shadow of death but in that, there is no fear of evil. That only comes from having the Lord as our shepherd. We have peace as there is nothing to fear.

“for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Knowing that someone is with you can be a comfort and well as what they bring with them. The shepherd has a rod and staff. Comfort is when someone knows it is hard and they came to help give you peace in the midst of life.

“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.” The shepherd is bringing peace in the midst of enemies. The peace in having our needs met.

“you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.” Anointing brought healing which brings peace.  Peace is whole and this helps to restore us to be whole.

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life” Mercy brings peace. Mercy comes when we don’t get what we deserve and that brings peace.

“and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” This picture of peace shows us that it is forever.

Peace comes when we understand that our needs are met, we have no fears, there are order and harmony.

This Psalm is a wonderful picture of peace. Do you see the peace of provision, protection, and promises?

It is spring and the lambs are again in the fields. I admit that this year I am looking at them a bit different. I am seeing peace and realizing that I need to be like the lamb and trust the Good Shepherd.

Can you say like David, “The Lord is my Shepherd.” Do you have the peace that comes from the Shepherd?