“He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.” Psalm 23:2

Psalm 23:2 conveys the image of rest and recharging. “He makes me lie down” means your shepherd provides the necessary conditions so you can rest.

I’m convinced many of us, including myself, do not know how to rest properly. How many vacations have we taken only to return home needing a vacation from our vacation?

Living in a constant state of stress causes damage to our physical bodies, as well as spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and relationally. Cortisol, the stress hormone in the body, helps keep us balanced and protects us when the threat of danger pops up.

But a continual and frequent dump of cortisol in the body can damage organs, damage our brain neural pathways, dramatically increase our risk of heart attack and stroke, and contribute to depression and anxiety. [1]

Many people believe they can manage themselves, live “my way,” or be the master of their ship, but without the good shepherd’s care, we do more self-harm than good.

Regarding rest, sheep must have four criteria met for them to lie down. The parallels to humanity are uncanny.

I. Fear

Fear is not the absence of faith. Fear is an automatic physiological response that we must respond to with faith.

When we feel fear, we must stand on God’s Word and not surrender to fear. Fear is dethroned by focusing on our shepherd and knowing that He controls all things, and we maintain peace.

“for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” 2 Timothy 1:7

Notice that “God gave us” a spirit of power, love, and self-control. It’s not the byproduct of experience, talent, or education. It’s a gift.

II. Friction.

From animals to humans, there is an established order of dominance or status among any group. Comparison and competition can create silent tension and friction that will deflate our confidence.

A similar trait is seen among sheep, known as the “butting order.” When an older sheep wants to assert dominance, they stiffen their necks, lowers their head, and butts another sheep until they back down and move.

Shepherd/Pastor Philip Keller discovered something interesting with the sheep.

“Whenever I came into view, and my presence attracted their attention, the sheep quickly forgot their foolish rivalries and stopped their fighting. The shepherd’s presence made all the difference in their behavior.”

“Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.” Zechariah 13:7b

Sheep require a shepherd. The shepherd brings order and peace, but if you remove the shepherd, chaos ensues.

Keller also noted, “There was a definite advantage in being the ‘bottom sheep.’ They were more relaxed and at peace.”  This confirms what 1 Timothy 6:6 teaches, “But godliness with contentment is great gain.”

III. Torment

Sheep, particularly in the summer, can be driven crazy by nasal flies and ticks. These tiny insects create big problems for sheep. Just like the nasal flies can cause severe pain and torment in sheep, we have a tormentor.

“But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this man casts out demons.” Matthew 12:24

The name Beelzebul means lord of the flies. It’s synonymous with Satan. Satan is the chief antagonist of God’s people, who torments believers, preventing rest.

Because our shepherd has defeated Beelzebul once and for all, we can experience rest in Jesus! God has given us the instructions for overcoming.

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7

IV. Hunger.

Have you ever tried to sleep on an empty stomach? It can be nearly impossible.

With sheep, grazing requires intentional effort. In Palestine, where David wrote this Psalm and kept his father’s flocks, especially near Bethlehem, is a dry, brown, sunburned wasteland.

Green pastures did not grow naturally. They required intense effort by the shepherd. A hungry sheep will be on the move for somewhere to graze.

Physical hunger will keep us from resting. Similarly, a spiritual hunger must be satisfied for our soul and spirit to be at rest.

“But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you do not know about.” John 4:32

The Word of God is spiritual food that brings peace and wholeness to our soul and spirit. Jesus said, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'” Matthew 4:4

Not only does our shepherd create the environment for us to rest, but he also “leads us beside still waters.”

Sheep, like humans, require water to survive. It is essential for overall health and general well-being. Our soul/spirit also has a need and capacity for water.

³⁷ On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. ³⁸ Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” John 7:38-39

During the feast of Tabernacles celebration, the High Priest would go to the pool of Siloam, with the worshippers in tow, to fill up a golden vessel would pour the water on the brazen altar.

The water symbolized the Holy Spirit that believers would receive. As Jesus stood up and spoke in John 7, He was foretelling the Holy Spirit’s abiding in the life of a believer at salvation.

When you make the LORD your shepherd, He creates the conditions necessary to provide you with rest.

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[1] https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/stress/the-stress-chemical-cortisol-short-and-long-term-effects-on-the-human-body/