Two Wrong Choices: Psalm 23:2

This is the second post in my series on Psalm 23.

To see the first post, click here.

He makes me lie down in green pastures, 

he leads me beside quiet waters Psalm 23:2

Green pastures…quiet waters.

A picture of a peaceful time with God.

He makes me lie down in green pastures.

Make is the operative word here, friends.

Even though it sounds like a done deal, we always have the choice to say “no.” I can tell you from personal experience, that’s not wise. You don’t want to refuse God because He will MAKE you.

When my girls were little, I foolishly decided that it was a good time to graduate school. Needed my head examined, right?

So, there I was, spending my days as the mother of two preschool girls. And my nights, (you know, when you supposed to sleep) pouring over books.

Time with my husband fit in there somewhere. And, in between yawns, I prepared to teach on Sunday mornings.  

If God was telling me to slow down, I couldn't hear Him over the noise of the train barreling down the tracks – straight at me.

Then it happened: I had a seizure.

During the hours in the emergency room, God said, loud and clear, “I am making you lie down!”

While the doctors tried to stabilize my medicines, I couldn't drive. College went on the back burner. I became a stay-at-home Mom – literally.

I chose to ignore His “Make” and, finally, He made me anyway.

When you hear His voice telling you to slow down and look for a green-pasture time with Him, go along with it. Don’t learn the hard way, like I did.

He leads me beside still waters.

The word “lead” implies there is a follower. Another choice: would I follow?

So, I was stuck at home, and not happy about it; He made me stay there. I chose to gripe and complain, and ask Him why He was doing this to me.

I refused to be quiet enough to hear the Living Water call me to follow Him along still waters.

Time went on. They couldn't get me stable, so I kept having seizures. The time I couldn't drive stretched into a seemingly endless train of months.

Finally, when I ran out of pity-party words to say, I turned to God and asked, “What are you trying to teach me?”

I heard a whisper, “Choose to follow Me. Submit to My call to green pastures. Come with me to walk beside still waters.” 

I took a deep breath and surrendered. I experienced the beauty of green meadows. I could hear His voice in the quiet of still waters.

What took me so long? Two wrong choices: I ignored the Lord and refused to follow Him. Not mistakes you want to make.

When I think about it, why did He have to MAKE me? Why didn’t I crave that precious time?

Imagine lying down on the cool grass and smelling the scent of wildflowers. Imagine the peace of still waters.

God asks us to spend a few minutes letting our minds rest in His cool, beautiful presence. He offers us sweet, quiet moments in His Word, soaking our hearts in His love and wisdom.

• He loves you beyond anything you can imagine.
• He desires to see you relax in the green pastures of His presence.
• He calls you to revel in the quiet of His Word.

Choose Him and you will find peace and beauty.

How has God made you lie down?

Have you found the peace of green pastures and still waters?

Do You Really Want A Shepherd?

This post is a repeat of my 10/2019 post. It's been so long I decided to start the series again. :)

The Lord is my Shepherd

I shall not want Psalm 23:1

The Lord is my Shepherd.

An amazing truth; an unchangeable fact.

If you have accepted Jesus’ forgiveness and are building a relationship with Him, He is your Shepherd.

Most of us picture a gentle Jesus carrying a lamb, with sheep gathered around Him. But really, when is life peaceful?

Bills, kids, work issues, to-do list at home, the list goes on. We might feel overwhelmed by the daily problems or decisions we face.

How wonderful to know that our Shepherd is right by our side to calm us, to strengthen us, and to guide us. We can say, as Jacob said to Joseph in Genesis 48:15, “God who has been my shepherd all my life to this day.”

Jesus never takes a breath. He never tires of hearing your voice. He loves you beyond your wildest imagination.

We never walk alone; our Shepherd is continually with us.

I shall not want.

David didn’t end with the calm assurance that the Lord is my Shepherd, he proclaimed his choice to be satisfied with the life his Shepherd gave Him.

Wait a minute. I’d like to focus on the shepherd part and not acknowledge my responsibility stated in the second part of this verse. Do I simply want a shepherd who will care for me, or do I want a shepherd who expects me to follow him? 

Jesus is our faithful Shepherd, but we must choose to rest in his guidance and be satisfied with His provision.

I’ve got a great husband, a nice house, a reliable car, two perfect grandchildren, three fun grandpets, and a dog who loves me unconditionally.

But…

I see bigger houses and I want them. Surely they come with a maid!

I’ve always dreamed of having a Ferrari. My little Ford doesn’t cut it. Give me a bright red sports car!

Of course, I’m being frivolous, but, sometimes, I focus on what I don’t have rather than the unbelievable blessings that surround me. Too often, I live in a grass-is-always-greener world.

David was content with the blessings God gave him, no matter the circumstances.

• When he hid in a cave to escape men who wanted to kill him, David was at peace with his Shepherd (Psalm 57).
• When he and Bathsheba’s baby died, David recognized the justice of God’s punishment and was confident that God would forgive him a give him another son (Psalm 51).
• When his own son seized his throne and David had to flee Jerusalem, he was satisfied with the Lord’s provision (Psalm 3).

Paul expressed the same faith in Philippians 4:11, For I have learned to be content, whatever the circumstances.

What does it mean to say, “I shall not want.”?

• We choose to be satisfied with what God provides, no matter how small.
• We choose to accept His guidance, even though we might not agree with His leading.
• We choose to follow where He leads, even though we might wish to go elsewhere.

Yes, that’s hard. I’ll be the first to admit, I’ll never reach this perspective. Through the difficulties in our lives, we can learn this one thing:

My Shepherd can be trusted with my life!

He [the Lord] tends his flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs up in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young. Isaiah 40:11

Let’s share: How do you see Jesus’ ministry as your Shepherd in your life?

The 7 Wonders of Psalm 23: Part Two

 

The Lord is my Shepherd

I shall not want. Psalm 23:1

This verse describes a beautiful truth and presents a difficult choice – all in nine words.

The Lord is my Shepherd.

An amazing truth; an unchangeable fact.
If you have accepted Jesus’ forgiveness and are building a relationship with Him, He is your Shepherd.

Most of us picture a gentle man carrying a lamb, with sheep gathered around Him.
A peaceful pastoral scene.

When is life ever peaceful?

Our Shepherd is active in our lives and interacts with us continually.

• He provides what we need.
• He guides us through difficult times.
• He helps us with decisions.
• He protects us from danger, generally by walking beside us.

Now comes the tricky part:

I will not want.



Are we ever satisfied?

Remember the old saying, “The grass is always greener…”?





I've got a great husband, nice house, a new car, great kids, two perfect grandchildren, and a dog who loves me unconditionally.

But…

I see bigger houses and I want them.
I've always dreamed of having a Ferrari. A Ford just doesn't cut it.
I have friends who can drive over to their kid’s houses to visit the grandchildren.
I’m envious, mine live in the northeast and I want them to be closer.

I want what I don’t have!

What does it mean to say, "I will not want."?

• I choose to be satisfied with what He provides, no matter how small.
• I choose to accept His guidance, though I might not agree.
• I choose to follow where He leads, though I might wish to go elsewhere.
• I choose to trust His protection, though things around me are frightening.

I will not want.

These four words mean that we choose to want nothing besides what He gives.

We choose to desire nothing but Him.

I’ll be the first to admit, I’ll never accomplish this.
The lure of the world will always hover around me.

Even so, we can trust our Shepherd.

• He will never withdraw His protection.
• He won't leave us without guidance.
• He strengthens us and helps us to follow Him closer each day.
• He loves us and will continue to call us to His side.

The Shepherd never leaves His sheep.

What does it mean to you that Jesus is your Shepherd?

Check out the Life to the Fullest blog for a post by Robin Patchen  Contentment for The Moment

Shepherd photo courtesy worldsundayschool.com
Horse photo courtesy  Steven Heap via depositphoto.com
 

The Seven Wonders of Psalm 23: Part One

 

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures,

He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul.

He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s same.

Even 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 before me a table in the presence of my enemies.

You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Surely goodness will follow me all the days of my life,

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23

This passage has comforted broken hearts.

Soothed frazzled nerves.

Calmed panicked thoughts.

Given hope to the grieving.

It is David’s “Lord’s prayer.”

Many of us can quote it.

Perhaps we’ve read it a thousand times.

Do we experience its richness?

Have we ever feel the wonder David must have felt as he prayed these words?  

 

Psalm 23 is a description of David's close relationship with the Lord, and it expresses the choices he made to yield his life to Him.

 

David's walk with the Lord wasn't an accident, it was a walk full of choices. 

 

If we want an intimate relationship with God, we must make the same choices.   

This is the first of seven posts on this psalm of blessing - and the choices that bring us this blessing.

When has this psalm been a comfort to you?