Lie Down

We have all had experience trying to get young children to go to bed. They have a plethora of excuses either for not going to bed or staying in bed. They need a drink. They need to go to the bathroom. They want you to read them one more story. They need more blankets. They aren’t tired. They are hungry. They need a certain stuffed animal. They need to tell everyone in the house goodnight and give them a hug. They need to tell you something important. Well, sheep are similar.

Although I’ve gone through Psalm 23 several times and learned a few things about sheep, I learned something new this past week that struck me. So, we are pausing for a week from Ephesians to look again at part of Psalm 23.

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2  He makes me lie down in green pastures.

He leads me beside still waters.[1]

In verse 1 we have more than enough provided. God is our shepherd. We shall not want. We will not lack for anything we need. God Himself is with us, but David continues: “He makes me lie down in green pastures.”

At creation, God designed rest to be a part of our lives. He created the heavens and earth and all that is in them. Then, on the seventh day God rested (Genesis 2:1-3) not because He was tired but because He knew that finite mankind would need a day of rest. In fact, later, God commanded the Israelites to remember the Sabbath day, labor six days but on the seventh day they were to do no work (Exodus 6:8-11). In other words, they were to rest.

Sheep, like little kids, have all kinds of excuses why they won’t lie down and rest. They like to have full bellies. They like to be free from pests. They want to feel safe, nothing to fear. I even read that a reason they baaaa in the night is because they want to be assured their young are still nearby. Sheep will rest well when these things have been provided.

Knowing this about sheep adds another layer to David’s statement: “He makes me lie down in green pastures.” If the sheep are lying down, their bellies are full, they are free from bothersome pests, and they feel safe from enemies. They can lie down and truly rest because their needs have been met.

What does this say to us? If God is our shepherd, He makes us lie down in green pastures because He has provided for our needs. We don’t have to worry about what we will eat or drink. God knows our needs, and He will care for us (Matthew 6:25-34).

We do not need to worry about bothersome pests or fear enemies or fear anything. God’s love casts out all fear (1 John 4:18). Jesus is far above all rule, authority, power, dominion, and every name that is named. God has put all things under Jesus’ feet (Ephesians 1:21-22). In His death, resurrection, and ascension, Jesus triumphed over Satan, sin, and death. He is our peace, reconciling us to God (Ephesians 2:14-16). God has promised that when we trust Him with our anxious thoughts, He will give us peace that passes all understanding that will guard our hearts and minds (Philippians 4:6-7). We can rest.

David, even as he was fleeing from his son Absalom who sought his life was able to write: “I lay down and slept; I woke again for the Lord sustained me. I will not be afraid of many thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around” (Psalm 3:5-6).

David also wrote during further distress: “In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety” (Psalm 4:8).

From Psalm 121, we learn that God is our help. He will not let our foot be moved. He does not slumber so that we can. He is our keeper, our shade. He will keep us from all evil and keep our lives. He will keep our going out and our coming in.

Our Shepherd has richly provided everything for us so we can rest as we trust Him. Resting in itself is also God’s good provision for us. Will we lie down and rest, trusting that God has provided all that we need?

Reflection

1.    Resting is God’s command for our good. How do you disobey His command to rest? What excuses do you make for not resting?

2.    As you think through your excuses for not resting, what has God already provided for you to silence each excuse?

3.    Start with one way you will begin trusting one of your excuses to God and lie down knowing that He provides for you.

[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Ps 23:1–2.