...I shall not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures;
(continued)
“The
Lord is MY shepherd; I shall not be in want. He makes ME lie down in
green pastures.”
The
confession “The Lord is MY shepherd” is a
statement of faith in Jesus as one’s Savior and Lord. This is the
initial step each of us must take if we are to be molded in the hands of
the Lord’s Love (Psalm 22) and Hope (Psalm 24) to produce in us Faith
and Obedience.
...I
shall not be in want.
The picture
we have here is of a shepherd carrying a new lamb in His flock – nursing
it with a bottle, being right there for every need. This is like the
SECURITY of being a Christian in Jesus’ hands.
“I
shall not be in want” has two meanings.
-
Not
lacking – not deficient in proper care, nurture or management.
-
Being
utterly contented in the Good Shepherd’s care. This is full
security knowing the Shepherd will provide for every need.
This is
basically the Baby Christian stage. The first stage in the molding
of a mature follower of God. This is a secure – comfortable –
utterly contented stage that all of us would like to remain in forever.
The first
characteristic of the Christian life that the Good Shepherd molds with His
hands of Love and Hope into us is SECURITY. Jesus said, “I
am the Good Shepherd – the Good Shepherd gives His life for the
sheep.” And also, “I am come that
you might have life and that you might have it more abundantly.”
SECURITY
for you is – “The Lord is MY shepherd; I shall
not be in want.”
He
makes ME lie down in green pastures;
Remember,
Psalm 23 is a pattern of thinking for the Christian and a pattern for
living. First, you must know your SECURITY of being a sheep
under your Good Shepherd, Jesus’ care.
Second, you
must know your salvation and rest (lie down) in Jesus. Jesus’
shepherding of you is your salvation. You are being saved day after
day by Him alone and you can rest assured in Him.
Often times
Jesus has difficulty molding this rest into our lives. Phillip
Keller says that as an earthly shepherd he learned that sheep will not
rest and lie down unless 4 requirements are met.
-
The
sheep must be free of all fear. They startle very easily and
will stamped at the slightest movement in the grass.
How true that is of us
also. The fears and uncertainties of life and death can cause us
to react in panic and fear. But the Holy Spirit within us, if
released, will work in us an assurance that the Good Shepherd is aware
of our fears and is watching over us.
-
The
sheep must be at peace among themselves in the flock. The
shepherd must deliver his sheep from tension, rivalry, and cruel
competition.
A herd of
sheep has a “butting order.” Generally
an arrogant, cunning and domineering old ewe sheep will be boss of any
bunch of sheep. She maintains her position by butting all other
ewes or lambs away from the best grazing land. That example is
followed by the other sheep who then contend for the next spot.
This causes the sheep to be uneasy with each other.
Interestingly
Phillip Keller always noticed that when he came on the scene the sheep
quickly forgot about their rivalry. They relaxed and rested in his
care.
Of course
this type thing is also a problem with the flock of Jesus. It is
the way of the world. Most people fight to be the top sheep –
have power and will step on people’s feelings and lives to get it.
Our Good
Shepherd wishes to mold a different pattern of thinking and living into
our lives. In His flock there is no room for competition.
The sheep are to rest in His care and commands and simply be obedient to
the directives He gives by the Holy Spirit and Word.
Each
sheep has a function and is to lie in it and be content with it – not
seeking to step into another’s shoes. This brings the peace and
unity needed in the Church. When Jesus truly comes on the scene in
our lives, peace and unity will result.
-
The
sheep must be free from the torment of parasites and insects. In
the summer sheep are bothered by nasal flies, warble flies and ticks.
The
shepherd must apply insect repellant to each sheep and dip the sheep to
clear them of ticks. This takes a lot of time and special care.
Are you
ever troubled and in need of your Good Shepherd’s special care?
Think of the pests of Satan that bug us: frustration, sins, worries,
upsetting circumstances, grudges, etc.
There is an
antidote. It is to rest in your Good Shepherd’s care. Let
Him apply the healing ointment of the Holy Spirit on you to rid you of the
pests. He will bring a new calm and quietness to your heart – a
new trust.
Phillip
Keller said that some sheep ran off and would not accept help. Have
you ever done that? Don’t make that mistake. Turn to Jesus
for help through prayer, the Bible, pastors, counselors, a Christian
friend. Your Good Shepherd will provide for you if you will stand
still for it.
When you
need help you need to say: “O Master
Shepherd, this is beyond me – I can’t cope with this – it’s
bugging me – I can’t rest – please take over!”
-
The
sheep must be free from the fear of hunger. The shepherd many
times must prepare the green grass and manage it properly so that it
fills and satisfies the sheep.
If they
are filled they will lie down and rest. A sheep that is not feed
good grass will wander continually.
Your Good
Shepherd, Jesus, works hard to provide you with good green grass to
mature you. This grass consists of all the opportunities He gives
us each day to digest His Word. Just think of it. We have
the Bible, Christian books, magazines, TV ministries, Radio ministries,
movies, and most important for us, we have here – where we come
together as His local flock – St. Mark’s congregation.
“He
makes ME to lie down in green pastures,” is a humbling
experience. It says that YOUR shepherd is calling the shots
in your life, not you yourself.
As you allow
your Good Shepherd to mold this character of faith and obedience into your
life you will find what you so desperately seek – HAPPINESS.
Thus far, we
have looked at the first two characteristics your Good Shepherd, Jesus,
molds into your life as you follow Him.
