Psalms 23:2 Monte T. Brown
Introduction
As we continue our messages on the Psalms 23 we come to verses 2 and 3, we will look at verse 2 this morning and verse 3 this evening.
I want us to notice that there are three things that can be seen in these two verses:
1. Rest: "He maketh me to lie down" verse 2
2. Refreshment: "Beside still water" verse 2
3. Restoration: "He restoreth my soul" verse 3
This morning we will look at rest and refreshment and look at restoration this evening.
If you would turn to Psalms 23:2 and honor the Word of God by standing and follow along with me as I read our text this morning.
Scripture
"He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters." Psalms 23:2
Prayer
1. Why does the Shepherd make his sheep rest?
“He maketh me to lie down,” because our shepherd can see much farther than his sheep.
You see there are dangerous mountains and valleys ahead that we cannot see.
The shepherd makes preparation for tomorrow for his sheep.
We need rest from the pressures of this world. It doesn’t matter whether you work 40 hours a week or you are retired we all face pressure.
A pressure from this world produces stress and stress can become a deadly virus.
Everyone needs the gentle hand of the shepherd in their lives.
2. Maketh
When we here this word maketh we seem to automatically assume that it is relating to force.
A force to push you somewhere or do something that you don’t want to do.
Maketh means that the shepherd uses gentle persuasion, by touching the place of our strength.
If you are one of his sheep you can be assured that are protected from the wiles of Satan, because the shepherds rod and staff protects you.
Isn’t it better for the shepherd to work in your life than to trust in the wisdom of this world?
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. Proverbs 3:5
3. Sheep will not lie down unless:
His sheep are free from fear, "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear." II Timothy 1:7
His sheep are free from friction, social behavior in the flock.
His sheep are free from the need of food for they will be satisfied.
Even though they eat all of one day’s grass, the sheep do not worry about where tomorrow’s grass will come from.
They trust the shepherd to find new pastures for them.
Psalms twenty-three’s image of God providing “green pastures” challenges believers to trust God day by day.
The Good Shepherd does not promise a life of luxury or long-term supplies, but he will always give the pasture needed for the moment.
As his sheep, we should trust God today rather than worrying about the future.
… have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. Psalms 37:25b
You may not see it now, but a new tuft of grass will always be there in the morning.
4. Green pastures insures his sheep substance
He shall feed his flock like a shepherd. He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young. Isaiah 40:11
He satisfieth the longing soul. For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness. Psalms 107:9
To many times we look at each trial with our own might, instead of trusting in the shepherd, and we begin to complain about the steepness and roughness of one turn and another as we travel down the path, without considering that trusting in the shepherd who can take us down that path that leads us to green pastures.
5. He leadeth me
The sheep follow because they know the shepherd's voice.
Psalms 1:1 says; blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
Consider this;
And He led them on safely, so that they did not fear; But the sea overwhelmed their enemies. Psalms 78:53
Then they are glad because they are quiet; So He guides them to their desired haven. Psalms 107:30
7. Still waters
The most frequent cause of death in the wilderness is not starvation, thirst, or heat exhaustion.
Surprisingly, most wilderness deaths happen through floods.
Floods in the desert occurred unexpectedly.
The sky would be clear, the sun shining, and suddenly a wall of water roared through the narrow canyon.
Anyone unfortunate enough to be in the wadi was washed away.
The raging waters left behind refreshing pools, and it was the task of the shepherd to determine if they were the safe and “quiet waters”
As God’s people today, we also thirst for various “waters”—careers, lifestyles, friends, activities.
Sometimes those waters are safe, but sometimes they are dangerous. Only our Shepherd knows what waters are safe for us to drink.
He does for his sheep spiritually all that water does for us physically:
1. Water cleans
2. Gives life
3. Cleanses
4. Refreshes
5. Purifies
Conclusion/Invitation
We must know the value of the shed blood of Psalms 22 if we are to enjoy the green pastures, still waters, table spread of Psalms 23.
Blessed is the person who places his confidence in the Lord and does not rely on arrogant people or those who follow lies. Psalms 40:4 MB
If you fear the Lord, trust the Lord. He is your helper and your shield. Psalms 115:11
If Jesus Christ is not your shepherd, trust him today and make him your shepherd.
If Jesus Christ is your shepherd and you have not been following him, would it not be better to start following him and to rebel and live in defeat?
