He Makes Me Lie Down in Green Pastures

But sometimes I can’t lie down.

The other night, after I had posted my blog about Psalm 23, “The Lord is my Shepherd,” I lay  awake for 90 minutes, unable to settle. I could not find the peace I had talked about in my blog post. Finally I slept but soon woke after a terrible, disturbing dream.

It troubled me enough that I thought we should revisit Psalm 23 and some of Phillip W. Keller’s comments about the fears of sheep that must be resolved if they are going to lie down. Maybe I hadn’t taken the truth of the Shepherd Psalm to my heart completely. And if I hadn’t, maybe you, too could use another look at the church’s favorite psalm.

Keller begins chapter three, “He Makes Me Lie Down in Green Pastures,” with the following words:

The strange thing about sheep is that because of their very makeup it is almost impossible for them to be made to lie down unless four requirements are met.¹

The four requirements are freedom from fear of predators, tensions within the flock, the torment of parasites and insects, and the fear of hunger. I’d like to offer you an abbreviated run-down of these four issues and how they apply to humans.

Fear of Predators

Sheep are easily startled. Once a friend came to visit Keller’s family and she had a Pekingese pup with her. When she opened the car door the dog hopped out of the car, terrifying the 200 sheep that had been resting, and scattering them across the pasture. This little dog was no enemy to the sheep but without a defense system of their own, fear drove them into flight mode. When Keller himself was nearby, however, the sheep felt safe in the face of their enemies and did not run.

My fears aren’t necessarily other people intent on doing me harm. But I have other “predators” that cause me to fear. Among them are concerns for the future of our children, our health, financial issues, work I need to complete, decisions we may be facing, and the difficulties our loved one face, whether disappointing or overwhelming. Consider your own list of “predators.”

Can I—can you—see the Good Shepherd, who loves us completely, standing nearby, caring for everything threatening our peace? Yes, he’s there; all is well. Sleep now!

Tensions Within the Flock

Rivalry and cruel competition within the flock prevents sheep from rest. As in human life, there is often an “arrogant, cunning domineering old ewe” who is boss over all the sheep. The “pecking order” among sheep is called the “butting order,” and this gal keeps the tension high among the group by her persistence at butting!

Do thoughts of an agitator force you to fret? Have you recently found yourself bullied or seen the chaos someone is creating in your family or church by butting her way to the top of the flock?

What can we possibly do to resolve the problem of such a person? “[Our] help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth” (Ps 121:2). Tell him about it, leave it with him, and rest in the knowledge that he knows what to do about it, and he will do it.

Torment of Parasites and Ticks

There is no rest for a flock who is being tormented by various bugs. It is the job of the shepherd to be vigilant to protect his sheep. They do this by applying insect repellants, dipping the sheep to clear their fleece of ticks, and keeping them in a safe environment where they can find relief.

Any number of thing can “bug” us humans. The Lord knows how to keep us free of the torments we feel when we are being bugged by someone or something. The Holy Spirit can anoint us with fresh grace, cleansing us from our distress and filling us with peace. He will respond to our call.

Fear of Hunger

The work of the shepherd includes providing green pastures for the sheep. In some parts of the world, arid, hot, or rocky, the shepherd must work hard at preparing the needed food for the flock. Even green pastures can be  depleted if the sheep are not moved around. When a lazy sheep rancher neglects this vital aspect of his job, the sheep are always hungry and seek out food for themselves, never resting, never satisfied.

But we belong to the Good Shepherd. He knows our needs and has promised to meet them all. We don’t have to plot at night about “[our] life, what [we] will eat or drink; or about [our] body, what [we] will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?’ (Mat 6:25). We can rest in the Lord to provide for our every need.

It is this attitude of rest in Him, of confidence in His care, of relaxation as we realize His presence in the picture that can make the Christian’s life one of calm and quiet confidence.²

Like the sheep of a good shepherd, we can rest secure. Our Shepherd cares more about us than we can imagine. From all the niggly little things that threaten to prevent our sleep to the biggest disaster we may ever face, our God is on duty. We have nothing to fear. Can we trust him to do what he has promised to do?

I declare with the psalmist, “In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety” (Ps 4:8). Will you join me in this declaration?

Ginger

 

Keller, W. Phillip. A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23 (p. 24). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.¹
Keller, W. Phillip. A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23 (p. 97). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.²