The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. (Psalm 23:1, 2a)
David is looking back on his life, realizing how God has been his faithful Shepherd. Recall that ‘the LORD, or Jehovah, is the special personal name of God that speaks of His promises. He has the right to be our Shepherd by virtue of being our Creator, our Redeemer, and our Caretaker.
On the home range in verses 1-3 we have the picture of a flock in repose, its wants supplied, lying in the midst of abundance. They are completely satisfied. We see them both passive in lying down, and active in moving to the water.
We see that it is the shepherd who makes the sheep lie down. The sheep are totally dependent upon the shepherd, the owner, for this. Only the shepherd can cause the sheep to lie down, rest, relax, and be content, quiet, and flourishing.
I am given to understand that sheep will not lie down unless four requirements are met. Let us look at each these four situations and see how they would apply to the Good Shepherd and the believer.
First, because they are timid, they must be free from fear. Sheep are so timid that even a rabbit can scare them. If one sheep runs off, two hundred others may follow, though they don’t know what the danger may be. Nothing so calms and assures sheep as the presence of the master among them, day or night.
In our Christian lives, the presence of Christ should dispel all fear, even of the unknown.
We can either live in a sense of anxiety and foreboding, or in quiet rest. For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). We live in an anxious world with the Wuhan virus and unrest in our cities. A sound mind is a mind at ease.
Second, because they are social, they must be free from tension with other sheep, In every animal society there is an established order of dominance or status within the group. We call this the pecking order in birds. In livestock it is the butting order. Often an arrogant, cunning old ewe is dominant. She pushes other ewes and sheep away from the best grazing areas. Because of this rivalry, it is hard for the sheep to rest as there is always competition and contest for space and rights.
Unfortunately, this goes on among people in families, at the workplace, and even in the church. People are trying to maintain their space, their position, or they are just trying to be heard above others. We are no different than sheep.
What happens when the shepherd comes among the sheep? They drop all their envy and bickering and focus on the shepherd. All are content. God wants us to be content too. He wants us to look unto Jesus, our Great Shepherd! I have learned in whatever state I am, there to be content (Phil 4:11). Godliness with contentment is great gain (1 Tim 6:6). When my eyes are on the Master, they are not on those around me. I can rest and be content with His lot for me.
There are two more conditions that must be met in order foe sheep to lie down peacefully. Lord willing we will consider these next time.