The next phrase in Psalm 23 is, ‘He causes me to lie down in green pastures’. Sheep are not calm creatures. They are easily frightened and stressed. The slightest movement in the flock causes panic to break out in the flock. It is not easy to get a sheep to a level of such peace and trust that they lie down. In fact, it is almost impossible for them to be made to lie down unless four requirements are met.
1) The must be free of all fear
2) Due to their social nature, they must be free from friction with others of their kind.
3) They must be free from flies and parasites.
4) They must be free from hunger.
Rest is important to the health of the flock. Yet, they must be free from fear, tension, aggravations, and hunger in order to rest. The key element to these requirements is that only the shepherd can provide them: the sheep cannot create an atmosphere of rest on their own.
We are no different! Jesus is the only way to find rest because only He can free us from fear, tension, aggravations. We cannot find true rest on our own. So . . . why do we try? Is fear controlling you? Do you have tension with others? Do you have parasites in your life that are driving you crazy? Do you have an unsatisfied hunger? Then you aren’t letting Jesus give you rest. Trust Him and let Him make you lie down and rest!
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures.
Psalm 23:1-2a
Information taken from the book A shepherd Looks at Psalm 23 by Phillip Keller
1 comment:
I had sheep for FFA in HS. I know exactly how fragile sheep are. Mine had a heat lamp in winter, were fed regulary and loved. They would still be skittish but always trusted me. I would be around other people's sheep that were crazy and afraid all the time...because their "shepherd" did not take very good care of them. We are so blessed that our Shepherd loves us and takes care of us. We need to give all our anxieties to Him....easier said than done. :-)
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