Have you ever thought about what that looked like? I'm working on a message for next Sunday as I will be speaking for the last time this season at one of the RV parks we speak at. My message is on the 23rd Psalm, but I'm only focusing on versus 2 and 3.
Psalm 23:2-3 (NLT): " He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside the peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along the right paths, bringing honor to his name."
Have you ever thought what what means? Sheep just are not too wise, ya know? The pictures we've seen of sheep laying beside a stream in luscious green grass isn't always what happens. They can't always get rest. There are 'irritants' that keep them from getting rest.
Doesn't that sound like us? Those things that suck the life out of us; those things that hurt us, break our hearts; those drama acts that seems to pop up ever so often... when we lay down to rest, we find that we can't for those things are running through our mind. (Which is why many of us wake up with headaches in the mornings!).
In the book by Phillip Keller "A Shepherd looks at the 23rd Psalm", he lists four things that keep sheep from being peaceful and calm and not being able to rest and be renewed.
1) Fear of predators. Sheep can sense when things are not right around them; perhaps a wolf or coyote is nearby. They won't lay down and rest because they are afraid they are going to be attacked.
2) Pests - such as flies and ticks. Sheep will get these bugs all over them and will run into bushes, trying to get them off. If the shepherd isn't watching over the sheep and helping keep the bugs off of them (they pour oil over their heads to keep the bugs off), the sheep will not be able to lay down and rest.
3) Friction with other sheep. Who would have thought that sheep couldn't get along! Sounds like us humans, doesn't it? Sometimes one of the big ewes will get a chip on its shoulder and start picking on the smaller, younger lambs. It causes the sheep to be very anxious as they don't know when they are going to be picked on.
4) Hunger. Who can sleep when they are hungry? We humans don't do it very often - do we! Sheep, if they are in a less than favorable area, with too little foliage around them, won't lay down and rest because they are afraid they won't get food to eat and they are constantly walking around trying to find bushes with enough leaves on it for them to eat!
The sheep can not and will not lay down and rest. It isn't the serene photo we are always looking at. And sometimes our lives are like that, don't you think?
I awoke with another headache this morning - actually, when I went to bed I felt it and probably should have taken something then, but did not. I don't like to take pills so avoid it when I can. There is drama going on again and the simple solution isn't always the one taken. And sometimes it just isn't worth the drama entailed. I was thinking about it as I went to bed and although I don't think it kept me awake, it was on my mind when I woke up this morning. I didn't have that serene peace and rest as I slept. What was on your mind - even subconsciously - that caused you not to sleep well last night? Or the night before? Or the night before that?
In times like these, we need to go to our Shepherd, and allow Him to take care of us. He will make sure we are protected. He will anoint us with oil and protect us from the irritants of the bugs/pests that plague us. He will walk us through the friction of other sheep; those relationships that sometimes will tear out your very soul and leave you empty. And our Shepherd will ensure that we are fed with His Word, His love, His joy, His comfort.
Do you know who your Shepherd is? Let me introduce you to Him. His name is Jesus.
I memorized this years ago in the KJV -
Psalm 23:1-6 (KJV): "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul; he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; they rod and they staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell int he house o fthe Lord for ever."
Are you a lamb without a shepherd, having to deal with all these things... or do you know the Great Shepherd, Jesus, who watches over us. Oh that you would choose to know Him and be under His care! He loves you, and He cares for you.
Find Jesus, and He will take care of you.
Blessings!
