August 26 - Verdant Pastures

 Read today’s texts first: Jeremiah 50,51; 3 John

MAXIMize YOUR DAY

The world offers us astro-turf
but Jesus is our verdant pasture! 

I remember when my grand kids were visiting their GG (great grandmother) at Buchanan and we took them into the beautiful courtyard. The kids stretched out on the lush grass and noticed it wasn’t grass at all – it’s astro turf. Clean, neat, uniform, no maintenance, no mowing, no life! I pointed out that problem, the “no life” thing, when they started asking me to install it in their yard. We had just finished laying down thick, rich sod. I wished I had used the word “verdant” at that moment, but I just learned it today from reading Jeremiah. It’s my word for today, and it’s a good one!

The Bible often refers to us, humankind, as sheep, and in most cases we are wandering around looking a little lost. Sometimes we are led astray by following the wrong shepherds, which is what had happened in Jeremiah’s day. To solve that problem we are invited to follow the Good Shepherd, also known as the Great Shepherd, Jesus. The world offers us astro turf, a man-made grass facsimile that looks appealing but lacks the qualities of life. The pastures Jesus leads us to are verdant - lush, beautiful, nurturing, satisfying - full of life.

I always thought those pastures mentioned in Scripture were actual places, like a good home, a friendly church, a fulfilling workplace. But in the following passage note that these pastures are not a “what” or a “where,” but a “who.”  My people have been lost sheep; their shepherds have led them astray and caused them to roam on the mountains. They wandered over mountain and hill and forgot their own resting place. Whoever found them devoured them; their enemies said, “We are not guilty, for they sinned against the Lord , their verdant pasture, the Lord, the hope of their ancestors” (50:6,7).

Even our enemies know that the green pastures we need to really “live” on this planet and on into the next life, are found in a person - Jesus. It doesn’t matter where we live as long as we stay close to Him. I’ve been praying hymns lately so this is my prayer today:

Saviour, like a shepherd lead us

Much we need thy tender care

In thy pleasant pastures feed us

For our use thy folds prepare

Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus

Thou hast bought us, thine we are.