Literature Ministries International


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March 16, 2019

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He Makes Me To Lie Down

"He makes me to lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside the quiet waters." Psalm 23:2

This verse speaks of a contentment that we seldom find in a world with its gear in "fast forward." I have often wondered why we are "programmed" to live at such a torrid pace, always on the go, surrounded by all kinds of things that compete for our time, energy, and interests. We do not seem to know what to do with ourselves, for some strange reason, when we are in an atmosphere of quiet bliss. We are like a roaring race car that just pulled into "pit row" with our engine racing. We are impatient and raring to go, but we have to stop to refuel. We can't wait to get on the track again and continue the race. Why do we yield to the frustrating confusion and illusive attractions of our environment that seek to control our lives? I'm afraid many of us yield to the pressure and course of the world. Such a lifestyle diverts the focus of our lives, robs us of precious time, and destroys what we need to do so desperately, to BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD!

David had pressure from all sides with continual agitation from his enemies, turmoil from the people he served as king, and conflict from the adversary of his soul. How blessed it must have been when he came apart and enjoyed the quiet retreat and inspirational green pastures to simply lie down in peaceful reflection. How needful this is in our lives today. It is in the solemn stillness of God's presence that we can hear His still, small voice saying to us, "Peace, be still." It is there that we can be blessedly consumed with ALL HE IS and ALL HE WANTS TO BE TO US.

Phillip Keller, in his book "A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23," tells how sheep refuse to lie down unless they are free from all fear. When alarmed by an unknown noise or a suspected prey, they panic, without knowing what the danger is. Nothing quiets or reassures the sheep like the appearance of the shepherd in the field. Our Good Shepherd dispels our fear, panic, and terror of the unknown in our lives. "For God hath not given to us the spirit of fear, but of power, and love, and of a sound mind" (2 Timothy 1:7).

The companion of lying down in "green pastures" is being led beside the "still waters." Can you imagine how refreshing it must have been for the hot and weary sheep to be led by the shepherd to the still, clear water of a mountain stream to be restored by its cool water and receive newness of life? We seek everywhere to quench our thirst for God with programs, activities, spiritual involvement, and a host of other things, which will never satisfy our quest for God. How blessed it is to find God's provision for our thirst as He "leads me beside the still waters" to the Fountainhead, JESUS.

Jesus said, "If any man is thirsty, let him come unto me and drink. He who believes in me, as the Scripture hath said, from his innermost being shall flow rivers of living water" (John 7:37,38). Oh to be refreshed, restored, and revived by the Fountain of Living Water, Jesus Christ. I trust today that He will make you to "lie down in green pastures" and be led "beside the still waters" IN HIS PRESENCE!

© 2007 by Ed Powell. Used by permission.


This page was reprinted by permission from: http://litmin.org/dare.php?date=2019-03-16


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