By the Still Waters by Vance Havner.
As a country preacher in the lowlands of eastern Carolina I lived literally by still waters. Here is a serene retreat for him who cares to live a day at a time with leisure to "linger, list and dream", cypress swamps low-hung with moss; lazy waters where fishing-boats float carelessly; bees abundant and everywhere the calm of restfulness that seems to drift in with the tide from the nearby sea. For one who easily grows tired of modernity's mad masquerade it is pleasant to return to these tranquil lowlands. Nothing is more restful than a stroll beside these still waters while the wood-thrush serenades from the cypresses, while cattle amble homeward along pasture-lanes, and bees hum their way from the fields at sundown.
Is it not significant that most of the men of God in the Bible knew best the fields, the pastures, the woods and waterways? Abel, the keeper of sheep; Abraham, Joseph, Moses, learning their deepest lessons among the flocks; David, the ideal shepherd-boy, whose later psalms breathe so often the spirit of early days among the quiet hills; Amos, the herdsmen, John the Baptist, the fishermen-disciples, and, above all, the Lord Jesus—these knew the way of the still waters.
But drowsy waters alone cannot rest the soul. Yet these pleasant waterways of earth have their counterpart in the Word: "He leadeth me beside the still waters." In the terrific pace of this age men break in body, mind and spirit, and he who knows not God's waters of quietness knows no peace at any price.
We reach the still waters when we cease looking for an elusive fountain of youth, and humbly follow the Good Shepherd to the green pastures. Blessed experience, possible for the humblest believer here and now! And blessed prospect still ahead for us when this mortal shall have put on immortality: "A pure river of water of life, clear as crystal proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb!"
