He Makes Me Lie Down in Green Pastures

On Monday evening, I found myself in a moment of thankful reflection, and I heard the words from a portion of Psalm 23 in my mind.

“He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.” Psalm 23:2

There is a reality for the believer, and our Shepherd Lord as he leads us.

He leads us and insists that we lie down, to rest, to be at peace in green pastures and in places of reflection and refreshment, where one can see the sky in the water, and we can drink deeply from these crystalizing moments.

To rest, to be refreshed, to be in a place that only our shepherd could lead us.

In Central Mississippi, the combination of almost daily rain alternating with the brightest sunlight, the grass in my yard is a deep emerald green. I was admiring it early this morning. (Yes, a very dad thing to do.)

Later in the afternoon, I was driving through my neighborhood, which has a lake, and as I passed, the water was like glass, with the blue sky and white clouds against the tallest pine trees, reflected in its waters, like a living work of art.

I slowed down and just soaked up the sight.

These two prominent thoughts of the day coalesced in this moment and these words in the last few moments of the day.

“He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.” Psalm 23:2

Jesus undoubtedly leads us through many things, but it’s so that we may soak in these moments and give proper appreciation and praise.

My eyes are heavy, and I feel slumber soon approaching,

Thank you, Jesus.

As I lay my head to rest,

So very thankful,

I am blessed,

and when I wake up in the morning, I will still be blessed.

In Him, By Him, Through Him, Led By Him,

Scott A. Phillips