He Makes Me Lie Down

By: Cathy Spangler

“The Lord is my shepherd…He makes me lie down in green pastures…” (Psalm 23:1-2a).

Have you ever wondered why the Shepherd would have to “make” sheep (or us) lie down in green pastures?

In history, Israel always felt it was the blessing of God to have GREEN pastures. If it didn’t rain and the pastures were dry and barren, it usually indicated that God had withdrawn His blessing.

My mind is filled with memories of the pastures we had at our ranch years ago. I loved seeing the horses out grazing. Our grass was good and rich. We let them out early in the morning and didn’t put them in the barn until the late afternoon. We would often see the horses frolic and play, and then lie down in the grass and rest awhile. Usually if one did, they all did.

The Passion translation of Psalm 23:2 refers to a luxurious “resting place” instead of using the word “pastures.” If pasture time is a time of resting, playing, and enjoying life and all that is around us, I wonder if we could all use more of that.

Reflecting.

Praying.

Journaling.

Breathing in nature.

I once read that contemplation time is where our values and basic beliefs are formed. If our lives are filled with hurry and consumption, might we be cutting short the character building that the Lord wants to carry out? Might we fail to bask in the joy of our relationship with the Father? No wonder our good Shepherd would “make us” lie down awhile.

In the psalms, the word “Selah” is used to indicate when the reader, singers, and congregation would pause and reflect on something. In a world of smartphones and fast food, we would all probably benefit from more “Selah” time.

Everyone needs to lie down in green pastures to be healthy mentally, physically, and spiritually. God made us that way! Abraham and his descendants often sat under a tree or set up a rock altar to mark a place where they could meet with God!

They listened.

And He eventually spoke.

I pray that you will always have the blessing of green pastures to graze in. Remember to lie down and contemplate. Turn off the world for 15-30 minutes. No one has shut you up in the barn! Rise a little earlier. Go to a secluded place. “Retreat” for a weekend. I have a friend that often drives to the park just to watch the squirrels, the birds, and the geese. Not very “productive” time.

Or is it?