April 9

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. — Ps 23:2

This suggests the rest into which our Good Shepherd leads His flock. Life is not all toil. God gives us many quiet resting–places in our pilgrim way.

Night is one of these, when, after the day’s toil, struggle, and exhaustion, we are led aside, and the curtains are drawn to shut out the noise, and He giveth His beloved sleep, in sleep giving the wonderful blessings of renewal. The Sabbath is another of these quiet resting–places. God would have us drop our worldly tasks, and have a day for the refreshing of both body and soul…. Friendship’s trysts are also quiet resting–places, where heart may commune with heart, where Jesus comes, too, unseen, and gives His blessing. All ordinances of Christian worship seasons of prayer and devotion, hours of communion with God are quiet resting–places.

Far more than we are apt to realize do we need these silent times in our busy life, needing them all the more the busier the life may be. — J. R. Miller.