Wednesday, August 25, 2010

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.


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13 comments:

  1. ahhhhhh yes....fear. Just the WORD dentist sends fear through my veins...

    What a great visual you've given me...when fear creeps in, just LIE down. Forget "Just Do it." "Just Lie Down." Taking this with me today!

    peace,
    lori

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  2. It took me a long time to learn that God wants us to bring even our smallest fears to Him, to trust Him, and that no, He's not too busy to care about me or the minute details of my life. (Where on earth I ever got that idea, I have no idea, but I think it came from my younger years when I simply thought of God as a really huge super-person, rather than completely OTHER.) It was a watershed moment in my life!

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  3. About a year ago, we discussed the 23rd Psalm in our small group study. As with you, the word "makes" really stood out. There are times when the Lord needs to slow us down so that we can find that needed rest in order to accomplish His purposes for us. Ironically (we'll it's not really ironic with God, but according to His will), he slowed me down later than night and the following day. I had a 24 hour bug, but it made me stop and think how I had been running hard for too long. I needed to sit still and find refreshment in Him.

    Blessings,
    Joan

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  4. I find it intersting how some recurrent themes pop up on these blogrings. Today one of the themes is peace and resting in the Lord.
    No doubt, many of us need to hear this! God is so good. Praise His holy name.

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  5. Blessings Daughter of the King, Finding peace in Psalm 23 with you. Never thought about repeating it when I'm with the dentist that I despise doing and they charge so much!!! (Another kind of fear)
    It's so reassuring to know that verses well known to us that we have memorized will rise up when we need them and how blessed we are to have His peace and assurance! So thankful for His comfort and that sweet sheep laying all alone lets me know the Shepherd is near!

    Thanks for your visit and this peaceful reflection! EnJOY WFW!
    Peace,
    Peggy

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  6. What a precious post. Thanks so much for sharing today.

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  7. Great word. Thanks for sharing what God used to comfort you in your time of need.

    I just read that Psalm the other day, it always brings me great comfort!


    Have a blessed day♥

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  8. This has really blessed me today...a much needed balm....

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  9. Praise God for His peace to calm my fears. That certainly happens to me a lot with medical procedures. Thank you for your post.

    Blessings,
    Janis

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  10. The little lamb in your picture won my heart lol. So cute!! I love lambs...

    I know the fear you spoke of. I have had to walk through this very thing myself. Mine is the doctor... not just any doctor, the ones that females need to see annually/bi-annually. (I'm sure you get my drift lol). I used to faint. True story. So great was my fear and discomfort. The Lord has continued to hold my hand and lead me out of the extremeness of it, but still... I procrastinate in going.

    Bless you this WFW and thank you for a wonderful post!

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  11. Thanks for the kind remarks over on my blog about my old blue dresser makeover! God bless!
    Elizabeth
    http://www.justfollowingjesus.com

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  12. You are so right!! Not only will it calm your fears but I find it helps me to stop worrying about problems in my life also. God Bless You!!

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Glad you dropped by. Hope you enjoyed your visit. Please leave a comment. I would love to hear your thoughts, for iron sharpens iron.

May the Lord bless you,
Linda J