“The LORD is my Shepherd [to feed, to guide and to shield me], I shall not want. 2He lets me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still and quiet waters. 3He refreshes and restores my soul (life); He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.” Psalm 23:1-3 AMP

Does it seem like time is flying by faster then ever before? The world is rushing from place to place with no real purpose at hand! The news becomes ever more troubling, and the wars and rumors of wars never seem to end. In the middle of it all, is it possible to find a place of peace and rest? The pressures of this life are physically exhausting for sure! Psalms 23 gives a prescription for a place of peace and rest! Look at verse 1.

The first observation we make is that God is not only the creator of the universe but has the position of provider and protector. Shepherding is one of the oldest occupations on the planet. The job of the Shepherd was to keep the flock intact, protect them from predators, guide them to areas od sustenance, and deliver them to the market for sheering. What a great picture of the responsibilities of Jesus in our lives! Remember how He described Himself?

“I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down His [own] life for the sheep. 12But the hired man [who merely serves for wages], who is neither the shepherd nor the owner of the sheep, when he sees the wolf coming, deserts the flock and runs away; and the wolf snatches the sheep and scatters them. 13The man runs because he is a hired hand [who serves only for wages] and is not concerned about the [safety of the] sheep. 14I am the Good Shepherd, and I know [without any doubt those who are] My own and My own know Me [and have a deep, personal relationship with Me]– 15even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father–and I lay down My [very own] life [sacrificing it] for the benefit of the sheep.”

John 10:11-15 AMP

As we are now in the Easter season, we can say amen to the fact that the good shepherd did indeed lay down His life for us, His sheep! The verse is translated “makes me lie down.” The Hebrew word here has mor the flavor of “lets” me lie down. That is quite different than makes! “Lets” me lie down means that He has created a situation where I have no fear or lack of provision. I don’t have to worry about the attack of the wolf because the shepherd will protect me even with His life. I don’t have to worry about food as the shepherd will find good places for me to feed! All of this for one purpose, get the sheep to the shearer for their wool. We could say that the wool of the sheep is the “fruit of their life!” What a beautiful picture of the relationship we have with Christ! He is the shepherd, and we are the sheep of His pasture. He provides, protects, and guides so that we can bring forth good fruit in our lives to glorify Him! As sheep, we love the protect and provide part but generally struggle with the “lead” part of the relationship.

The Shepherd carries with him a staff. The staff not only represents authority and protection but correction as well! Sheep are not the brightest animals. They can be stubborn and unruly for sure! Sounds a lot like us! There are times when the shepherd must discipline with the staff in order to correct a dangerous path that the sheep might be taking. Ouch! That hurt Lord! Thank God that He loves us enough to keep us from the dangers we cannot see! As we spend time I His presence, He gives us His rest and we learn to hear His voice more clearly. As we enter His rest we are reenergized and find that we can live in a place of peace and rest trusting in the loving arms of our good shepherd!

Power Prayer for Promise – Rest

Lord, today I acknowledge that You are the shepherd of my life and that You will guide and shield me in the place of Your protection. I will lie down in a pleasant place and rest by the still waters of Your love. I know that You will refresh and restore my soul and lead me in the path of righteousness and I yield to the staff of your correction. (Psalms 23:1-3) Thank you that for the joy set before You have laid down Your life for me. (Heb 12:2) I will come to You as I am heavy laden and labored and will take upon myself Your yoke of rest for my soul. (Matthew 11:28-30) I will repent before You and turn from my sin so that times of refreshing may come upon me from Your presence, (Acts 3:19-20) I will rest in You Lord that even in my sleep You are pleasant to me! (Jer 31:26 ) In Jesus name…Amen