He Makes Me Lie Down

Denny and I just returned from a family vacation— 13 people, including 5 children, 4 of them aged 3 and under! We enjoyed activities and beautiful scenery in Branson and had fun spending time with our kids and grandkids. Spending five days with the little ones reminded Denny and me of something important we had forgotten about babies.

Naps are non-negotiable. Little ones absolutely must get enough rest, or we will all suffer the consequences!

When kids are tired, they tend to fall apart. We had a little meltdown in a restaurant when baby Evan was exhausted and ready to go to bed. Although Regan and Weston had not yet received their food, Denny and I were at a different table and were finished eating. I put Evan in the stroller and went for a little walk outside the restaurant to look at the sights in the nearby shops. The bright lights sparked his interest, and he stayed calm while his parents finished eating.

Evan had been fighting his fatigue, and his misery was evident to all. But when I made him sit and rest in the stroller, he became calm. We adults are more like Evan than we realize. Sometimes we have to be forced to rest, too!

Psalm 23:2 says, “He makes me lie down in green pastures.” Green pastures signify peace and rest. It’s interesting that the person performing the action in that verse is God. I think of my grandkids whining that they don’t want to take a nap when everyone around them knows they need one. How many times have I bypassed the soul rest with the Lord that I desperately needed because I had too many things on my “to-do” list? My Shepherd will MAKE me lie down because He knows I need the refreshment of time with Him. Sheep are nervous animals and must feel at peace with their surroundings before they will rest. Aren’t we a lot like that?

Just as children don’t have the sense to recognize their own needs, we Christians often don’t recognize the signs that we need some green pasture rest with our Shepherd. I don’t know what your signs are, but my signs are feeling overwhelmed, tired, and stressed. If we keep wandering away from those green pastures our Shepherd has provided, He will ultimately force us to lie down. I sure would rather follow my Shepherd’s lead willingly than act like a rebellious sheep! I have unfortunately been there too many times! I want to trust God and rest in that trust instead of worrying over things I can’t control. I want to spend time in those green pastures that He provides instead of trying to make my own green pastures.

Shepherds have been known to break the legs of rebellious lambs who wander so that they are forced to stay with the shepherd. The shepherd carries the lamb close to his chest everywhere he goes. The lamb learns to love and depend on the shepherd, losing all desire to wander. The lamb can peacefully rest in those green pastures next to the shepherd who makes provision for its every need. I have experienced some of those broken times in my own life, but just like that little crippled lamb, it was for my own good. It was during those times that I found myself depending on my Shepherd more fully and learning to love Him more deeply.

There is serenity and satisfaction in surrender. The Shepherd can be trusted to meet our every need. What needs do you need to bring to Him now instead of laboring to have them met by your own efforts?

When I think about it, Jesus really is all I need. Even if I were to lose my life, I still have Him!

Are you truly enjoying the green pastures He provides and resting in the peace of His provision? If not, what changes do you need to make? Are you trusting in Him or trusting in your own efforts for the peace that you long for?

Lord,
Thank you for being the Good Shepherd who laid down Your life for us wayward, stubborn sheep! I want to be still in Your presence so I can know You more fully. Please quiet my spirit and help my thoughts rest on You. Help me to follow You and trust You to provide for my every need. I surrender myself now to Your authority, knowing You are trustworthy and only in You do I find true peace. Amen.