Operation Green Pastures 2024

I shall not want: For David with his inconsistent spirit at the time realized that God is his overseer, and it was the end of dissatisfied need. He said, “I shall not want” both as a declaration and as a decision.

Let us keep in mind the word Lord means Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

“I shall not want” means, “All my needs are supplied by the LORD, my overseer.”

“I shall not want” means, “I decide to not desire more than what the LORD my overseer gives."

He makes me lie down: The LORD as an overseer knew how to make David rest when he needed it, just as a literal overseer would care for his student. The implication is that a student does not always know what is needed and what is best for himself/herself, and so needs help from the overseer.

To lie down in green pastures: The overseer also knew the good places to make his student rest. He faithfully guides the student to green pastures.

We are Looking at Psalm 23 with a 2024 perspective! This author writes that students do not lie down easily and will not, unless four conditions are met. Because they are timid, they will not lie down if they are afraid. Because being in a digital soapbox society, they will not lie down if there is strife among the students. If aggravation troubles them, they will not lie down. Finally, if students are anxious about spiritual famine, they will not lie down. Rest comes because the overseer has dealt with their fear, strife, aggravation, and spiritual famine.

He leads me beside the still waters: The overseer knows when a student needs green pastures and knows when the student needs the still waters. The images are rich with a sense of comfort, care, and rest.

He Restores My Soul; He Leads Me

He restores my soul: The tender care of the overseer described in the previous paragraph had its intended effect. David’s soul is restored by the figurative green pastures and still waters the overseer brought him to.

Restores has the idea of the rescue of a lost one. “It may picture the straying student brought back.”

“In Hebrew, the words ‘restores my soul’ can mean ‘brings me to right standing’ (or conversion).”

“‘He restoreth my soul.’ He restores it to its original purity, which was now grown foul and dark with distractions; for also, what good would it be to have ‘green’ pastures and a dark soul!”

He leads me: The overseer was a guide. The student did not need to know where the green pastures or still waters were; all they needed to know was where the overseer was. Likewise, the LORD would guide David to what he needed.

In the path of righteousness: The leadership of the overseer did not only comfort and restore David; He also guided His student into righteousness. God’s guidance of David had a moral aspect.

“They are led in ‘the path of righteousness,’ in the way of holy obedience. [Obstacles] are removed; they are strengthened to walk and run in the paths of God’s spirit within every one of us.

For His name’s sake: The overseer guides the student with an overarching view to the credit and glory of the overseer.

“To display the glory of his grace, and not on account of any merit in me. God’s motives of conduct towards the children of men are derived from the perfections and goodness of his own nature.”

Overview

The overseer has dealt with fear, strife, aggravation, and spiritual famine for you in your life and you have accepted his guidance.

The mission, if you choose to accept it, is this.

Retain this concept with your spirit, body, mind, and soul. Then show others by example the freedom of this life-giving peace.

Rewards if you believe what you have accepted!

The rewards are life changing and consist of you truly receiving life’s riches with the sense of comfort, care, and rest.