Leader Devotional: True Rest

PSALM 23:1-2

“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.”

Summer is nearly here, and with it often comes a change of pace for many people. Whether it’s holidays planned, kids being off school, or church ministries pausing, summer often gives us an opportunity to slow down. Many classes and studies take a break, giving Bible study leaders a chance to stop planning and delivering lessons for a couple of months.

Rest is important, and Psalm 23 shows us it isn’t simply a break from work or routine but that resting is actually a gift from God and it has a purpose.

Read the verses again, and note each reference to the Lord, and then each reference to David.

Who is leading David? The Lord. It isn’t David who finds the green pastures or still waters. The Lord is the one who makes him lie down and who leads him.

We’re not good at resting. We often feel pressured to be busy, or are so distracted by what’s going on around us or in the world that we end up feeling anxious or worried. With the constant exposure to news and social media feeds that never end, our minds rarely switch off. We find it difficult to just stop. This is true of us as individuals, but also as Bible study leaders—there’s always another lesson to prepare or reminder to send!

But just as a shepherd knows what his sheep need, God knows what we need, and each of us needs rest.

Here at Precept, we sometimes use Psalm 23 for an introduction to the Precept inductive Bible study method, and so it is a familiar passage to me, but sometimes familiarity can be dangerous! I can forget the truth of what it is saying. Those green pastures represent provision, and the still waters speak of refreshment. It’s a wonderful reminder that the Lord provides us with all that we need for life and for leading others in the study of His Word.

How I need reminded of this often! Maybe, like me, you sometimes fall into the trap of feeling like everything depends on you and your efforts, and you rely more on your own strength and wisdom and not so much on the Spirit. The reality is God doesn’t need us, and certainly the spiritual growth of God’s people doesn’t depend on us; it depends on Him (1 Cor. 3:6-7). There is also the danger that as leaders we spend so much time studying Scripture for leading our groups that we forget to study it for ourselves first and enjoy fellowship with God!

Psalm 23 begins with the words, “The LORD is my shepherd.” He knows you personally as one of His sheep and therefore He knows exactly what you need. Maybe you’re physically tired after a long term of teaching, or feeling emotionally drained after caring for members of your group.

You need rest. Resting has a purpose, because by stopping we are being asked to trust and rely on God more. We aren’t told to go looking for green pastures; He makes us lie down. We aren’t figuring out ways to recharge our batteries; He leads us beside still waters. Resting makes us let go of dependence and reliance on ourselves and makes us look to Him instead.

Maybe this summer is providing you with an opportunity to lie down and be led. Why not take some time in God’s Word, not as a Bible study leader preparing to lead others, but as a sheep listening to the Shepherd’s voice? Ask Him to meet your needs and allow Him to refresh your soul.

It is my prayer that you will know true rest this summer, and when a new term begins you will start again, not just refreshed, but renewed!

Dave

National Director