by Pastor Simon

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside still waters.

Psalm 23:1-2 - NKJV

Right in the middle of that verse we read, "He makes me to lie down". It's a powerful way of expressing the Great Shepherd's care. However, don't read into it that Jesus is going to ensure by force that you lie down. That's not Jesus' way with His sheep. Indeed rather, the sense of the expression is, "He will carry me there, place me there and set me up to stretch out and lie there!" Jesus will shepherd you to green pasture but you have to opt to partake of what He's brought you into.

I get a picture of a gorgeous natural swimming place much like one I enjoyed in South Sumatra. The water looks so cool and inviting. It takes faith, though, to strip off and dive in. You have to have confidence your clothes will be safe while you're in the water - that no one will run off with them. The best thing would be to have a friend stay on the bank keeping an eye on things. In our lives as Christians we have a friend on the bank! This friend is Jesus and no one keeps better watch than He does!

Jesus will shepherd you into green pastures by still waters. You have to choose to lie down. You have choose to partake of the refreshing and beauty of the lush meadow. You have to choose to rest in the pasture that Jesus leads you to. What does that take? It takes you being confident in your Shepherd. Be confident Jesus will watch out for you and guard you while you take your rest. Stop your busyness and lay your responsibilities at Jesus' feet. Take a time of rest while Jesus stays on watch!

Let Jesus guard while you get refreshed!

Copyright © 2004 P.F.(Simon)Measures

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