I have long admired the writings of F. W. Boreham. The first book of his which I read was Mountains in the Mist, a collection of essays covering subjects such as salvation, contentment, and other “lessons” learned from the people and natural world in which Boreham embedded his life.
Raised and educated in England, Boreham took a mission church in Australia where he spent the remainder of his life in ministry among the people he found there. He wrote extensively and published several volumes of essays throughout his life. I liken Boreham’s writings to that of a poet. The way he sees and describes things is similar to that of poets, using simplicity to capture pictures of eternity and using earthly examples to describe heavenly principles.
I suppose In Pastures Green could be considered a long essay, though my copy is published as a small book by itself. The full title is In Pastures Green: A Ramble through the Twenty-third Psalm. Boreham begins by describing the fear and inadequacy a young preacher may feel as he studies Psalm 23. Though the Psalm is dear to his heart, the young preacher may set it aside as a sermon text for many years for – though he may be eloquent in speech – his congregation – especially the elders in it – might have a far greater knowledge of and relationship with the Good Shepherd. And so it was for Boreham until years of wisdom learned from the Shepherd through ministry greyed his hair and he finally felt he could write with authority about that dear Shepherd.
The ramble begins with a description of the Shepherd, that Good Shepherd, the Shepherd who gave His life for the sheep: Jesus Christ. Then the sheep, lost in the wilderness. Then the wilderness. And what a beautiful sight we see as that Shepherd goes out to find the wandering sheep and bring them at last into pastures green.
As we know, the ramble would not be complete without a view of that Valley of the Shadow of Death. Yet, it is that Valley that makes the green pastures on the other side more lovely. Is it not the Shepherd who leads the way through the Shadowy Vale? And if we just follow in each of His steps, will he not keep us in safety there?
At last, the shadows flee and the eternal home comes into view. The sheep look back and see the leading and care of the Shepherd, at His ever-present goodness and mercy, and they cry with grateful hearts, “I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever!”
In Pastures Green is a short read. My copy is only 36 pages. It paints a beautiful picture of the Savior as he leads us, the sheep, toward Heaven. It is a cry to the wandering to seek Jesus for deliverance. And it is an encouragement to the sorrowful that the Valley of Shadow will eventually come to an end at the gates of Heaven. I encourage you to read through this little book and deepen your own relationship with the Good Shepherd.
