Psalm 23:2 He Makes Me to Lie Down in Green Pastures
A Testimony Of Satisfaction
Psalm 23:2 “He makes me to lie down in green pastures”
Introduction:
Psalm 23:1 A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
Yahweh-Rohi, I Shall not LACK!
Today: “He makes me to lie down in green pastures”
To “lie down” indicates rest!
There are three conditions that must be present for a sheep to “lie down”
1) Free Of Fear 2) Free Of Friction 3) Full Of Food
1. Free Of Fear
A. Fear = aggravation, trepidation, panic, worry, anxiety, restless,
agitated, disturbed, etc.
B. Sheep are easily panicked
- Stray jackrabbit can cause a stampede
- When one sheep jumps or runs – all the herd does the same
C. Nothing quiets and reassures the sheep like the shepherd
- The presence of their master puts them at ease!
D. We too are frightened of the unknown – we want to run….
Our Master, Jesus, our Shepherd quiets and reassures us!
2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
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2. Free Of Friction
A. Friction = tension, rivalry, competition, resistance, stress, etc.
B. In every animal society there is an order of dominance established
within the group:
- For chickens it is called the “Pecking Order”
- For cattle it is called the “Horning Order”
- For sheep it is called the “Butting Order”
C. Generally an arrogant, cunning and domineering old ewe will be boss of
any bunch of sheep!
- She maintains her position of prestige by butting and driving other ewes or lambs away from the best grazing or favorite spots.
- The order continues in the herd by the same butting and driving tactics
Ezekiel 34:15-16; 20-22 (NKJV)
15 I will feed My flock, and I will make them lie down," says the Lord God.
16 I will seek what was lost and bring back what was driven away, bind up the broken and strengthen what was sick; but I will destroy the fat and the strong, and feed them in judgment."
20 'Therefore thus says the Lord God to them: "Behold, I Myself will judge between the fat and the lean sheep.
21 Because you have pushed with side and shoulder, butted all the weak ones with your horns, and scattered them abroad,
22 therefore I will save My flock, and they shall no longer be a prey; and I will judge between sheep and sheep.
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D. Sheep cannot rest when there is friction and neither can we!
- When the shepherd was present, the friction almost ceased
- When we realize that our Shepherd, Jesus, is present our friction ceases also!
3. Full Of Food
A. Sheep are generally raised in a dry, semi-arid climate
- “Green Pastures” are hard to find
B. Took tremendous skill to make a “Green Pasture”
- Cleaning away the brush and stones, plowing, planting,
watering, maintaining…
C. With “Green Pastures” the lambs could fill up quickly and then “Lie Down” to rest!
D. A hungry, poorly fed sheep is forever on its feet looking for food
E. It can never rest until filled!
F. The shepherd’s responsibility was to prepare the “Green Pastures”
Conclusion:
1) God promised Israel a land flowing with “Milk & Honey”
- Milk - from livestock fed in “Green Pastures” which produced large
volumes of milk
- Honey – Blossoms from the grass and clover in the “Green Pastures” produced the pollen to make honey!
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2) God wants the same for us as well
He wants us to be free from the fear and slavery of Egypt; Free from the frustration of the wilderness; and full of the milk and honey of the promised “Green Pastures”
3) As Israel moved from the wilderness desert into the promised land, we move
into a land of “milk and honey” when we accept Christ as our shepherd!
4) God prepares our spiritual “Green Pastures”
Removes the rocks of stony unbelief
Tears out the roots of bitterness
Breaks up our hard, crusty proud human heart
THEN sown the seed of His Word
- Bringing crops of peace and contentment
- Watered by the Holy Spirit
- Rich, Green, productive lives!
No wonder the Psalmist said:
Psalm 23:2 “He makes me to lie down in green pastures”