Professor and Author Dr. Kyle M. Yates
expressed it eloquently: “Because He loves me as the good Shepherd, I shall
never want. Does He leave out anything in the world that a soul can possibly
need? Every material and every spiritual need is provided for helpless, needy
creatures who look to the Shepherd for such satisfactions. Only in Him can they
be found.”
Parallel passages. The Shepherd satisfies
me and He also settles me down. The imagery of lying down is found in other
verses. Job 11:19 says “Also you shall lie
down, and none shall make you afraid…” Ps. 4:8 proclaims, “I will both lay me down in peace, and
sleep: for only You, LORD, make me dwell in safety.” In Isa. 17:2: “…they shall be for flocks, which shall lie down, and none shall make
them afraid.” Eze. 34:14-15 expounds
the imagery even further, “I will feed them in a good pasture, and on
the high mountains of Israel shall their fold be: there they shall lie in a
good fold, and in a lush pasture they shall feed on the mountains of Israel. I
will feed my flock, and I will cause them to lie down, says the Lord GOD.” Also
in Zeph. 3:13 speaks of God’s people, “…for they shall feed and lie down, and none
shall make them afraid.”
Peace. Sheep are naturally and
easily frightened; it is difficult for a shepherd to make his flock to lie down
in complete repose. “Lie down” literally means the folding of the legs in a
reclining position. Imagine the care a shepherd has to have to make his skittish
and scared sheep to be completely comfortable in lying down. A good shepherd
will provide peace. Jesus makes me lie down with His peace that passes all
understanding. Unlike the world’s peace (John 14:27), His peace is internal and
eternal. Hebrews 13:20-21 says, “Now the
God of peace, who from the dead brought our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of
the sheep…may He make you complete.”
Protection. There must be safety
from harm, predators, sounds and even each other. Sadly we like sheep can also
need protection from each other. The Shepherd settles His sheep by providing protection.
Once secure, the legs of the sheep fold down and lay down with their “bellies
nestled deep in the long shoots of grass. A still pond on one side, the
watching shepherd on the other…Who is in charge? The shepherd.” (Max Lucado, Traveling Light, pg. 40).
Passion of the Shepherd. What
motivates Christ to make me lie down? Matthew 9:36 says, “But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them,
because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.” His
love makes me lie down. Not by force or coercion but by the immanence of His
great love and compassion.
Fold your legs today and recline in
His peace.
Lie down in the shadow of the
Shepherd’s protection.
Rest in lush pastureland of His
passionate love for you.
“Dear Shepherd of my soul, I am
so stubborn and skittish and scared sometimes.
Thank you for making me to lie down in You. Amen.”
All this month we are looking at the most beloved psalm and the most quoted chapter in all of the Bible, the 23rd Psalm. If you would like to subscribe daily, put your email in the upper right box.
Thank you for making me to lie down in You. Amen.”
All this month we are looking at the most beloved psalm and the most quoted chapter in all of the Bible, the 23rd Psalm. If you would like to subscribe daily, put your email in the upper right box.
