Makes Me to Lie Down

"A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads 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 You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever."  Psalm 23

Have you ever been uncomfortable with a medical or dental procedure? Perhaps you were so uncomfortable that a sense of fear crept into your thoughts. That is exactly where I found myself a few weeks ago. Now I would like to justify my fear by saying once after taking a prescribed drug I almost lost my life. Note I said I would like to justify but the truth is God says we are not to fear. Nonetheless, that fear had sat in. So sitting there in the dentist chair I began to silently recite the 23rd Psalm.

The fear began to subside leaving a sweet peace in its place. Without a doubt I knew the Lord had once again heard the voice of one of His children. The reciting of the psalmist’s words ceased; the words of admiration, love and thanksgivings became my own.

“He makes me to lie down in green pastures.” Many times I have quoted the 23rd Psalm. As a child I recited it as part of a children church’s play. For years I walked away from God but the Holy Spirit kept that childhood memory in place. The word “makes” has never jumped out at me like it now does. Hebrew concordance defines “makes” as to accomplish, appoint, and bring forth. He accomplishes bringing me to a green pasture, He appoints me to lie down and He brings forth the peace (rest in Him) so needed.

Maybe right now your pastures do not seem so green and you wonder if peace will ever come. Trust the great Shepherd, begin to whisper “I will follow you; I know your voice and I will follow.” As the peace begins to flood your soul realize He makes you to lie down in green pastures.


Visit others at Internet Cafe for Word-filled Wednesday.  Just click on the button below.