He Makes Me Lie Down in Green Pastures

One of the things that I’m learning about sheep as I work through Psalm 23 is that sheep are finicky.  They can be fussy.  They are easily bothered and easily frightened.  Therefore, we can’t just take it for granted that sheep will lie down of their own accord, even in green pastures.

If sheep are afraid, they won’t lie down.  If there is friction or tension in the flock, they won’t rest.  If they are hungry, or if some external influence is bothering them, they won’t settle.  To top it off, sheep are incapable of resolving these issues on their own.  They need their shepherd.

Doesn’t that sound a lot like people?  We have a lot of fears… some real; some imaginary.  We worry about our health.  We worry about our finances.  We worry about our jobs.  We worry about our kids.  We worry about our parents.  We worry about the weather.  And most of it is out of our control.

And we have friction.  With our spouses.  With our families.  With our co-workers.  With other believers.  Sometimes we have some control over that, and sometimes we don’t.

What about the hunger?  We long for so many things, but especially that elusive thing called, “just a little bit more.”  Like a mirage on the road, when we finally get a little bit more, we still need a little bit more.

Afraid, irritated, and hungry.  That pretty much sums up people in general.  And I don’t know about you, but I am never at my best when I am like that.  And I haven’t even talked about green pastures yet.

David, the author of this Psalm, was well acquainted with the dry, arid climate that Israel’s shepherds had to deal with.  A flock of sheep didn’t find itself in green pastures by accident.  It was led there deliberately by the shepherd, who probably played a large part in the nurturing of the pasture in the first place.

One of the most interesting things I learned about sheep during this lesson, however, is that nothing settles a flock more than the presence of the shepherd.  W. Phillip Keller writes, “The presence of their master and owner and protector put them at ease as nothing else could do, and this applied day and night.”[1]

As a Christian, when I truly understand that Christ is there with me, then I can let go of the things that are bothering me and allow the Good Shepherd to do His work.

When I am afraid, He quiets my fear by reminding me that “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7) 

When the circumstances seem overwhelming, He reassures me by promising that “all things work together for good to those who love God…” (Romans 8:28a)

When others are getting on my nerves, He gently turns my focus back to where it needs to be, in that my focus must be to follow the Shepherd, and let the Shepherd be the one who deals with the other sheep.  (“If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!” (John 21:22))  It’s amazing how the friction disappears when we know that the Shepherd is here.

And when I find myself worrying about my position, my possessions, or my pension, He shows me the green pasture that He has already provided, and whispers to me, “Do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.  But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:31-33)

At last, with my Shepherd nearby, I can rest peacefully and bask His presence in the extravagance of His green pasture, covered by His promise that “godliness with contentment is great gain.” (1 Timothy 6:6)

May He bless you with great gain today, and may you rest in green pastures.

Pastor Bryan

[1] Keller, W. Phillip. A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23. Zondervan, 1970.