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Psalm 23:2 – “He makes me lie down in green pastures…”

Rest.
It sounds like a luxury in our culture. But according to God—it’s a command.

In Psalm 23, David writes something strange to our ears: “He makes me lie down in green pastures.” Makes me? That sounds more like a parent dealing with a cranky toddler than a spiritual revelation. But the truth is, that’s exactly the kind of care the Good Shepherd gives. He doesn’t suggest rest. He insists on it. Why? Because He knows what’s best for us—even when we don’t.

When God first created the world, He worked for six days and then rested on the seventh. Not because He was tired. Not because He needed a break. But because He was modeling something holy and whole. In Scripture, the number seven represents completion. Without that seventh day—without rest—something’s missing. We feel it too: the restless tension of "just one more thing" before we can relax. But God invites us to stop striving, and start trusting. To rest in Him, and let Him complete what we cannot.

David, a shepherd himself, knew how stubborn sheep could be. They don’t know when to lie down. They’ll keep wandering, striving, even starving, unless the shepherd intervenes. So when David says, “He makes me lie down,” he’s not talking about divine force—he’s talking about divine foresight. God knows we need rest more than we realize, and so He leads us into it.

But rest doesn’t happen by accident. A shepherd must create the right environment for rest. Philip Keller, in his book A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23, outlines four things sheep need in order to lie down and rest—and they’re surprisingly true of us too.

1. Freedom from Fear

Sheep are fearful creatures. Just a strange noise in the distance can keep them on edge all night. Sound familiar? We lie awake, tossing and turning, worried about things we can’t control—our finances, our kids, our future. We can’t rest when fear runs the show.

But here's the key: the sheep rest when they see the shepherd. His presence calms their anxiety. When they know He’s near, they’re safe.

1 John 4:18 says, “Perfect love casts out fear.” And the Good Shepherd is perfect love. When we shift our focus from what might go wrong to the One who holds it all together, we can finally lay down our worries and find peace. Psalm 4:8 (NKJV) says, “I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.”

2. Freedom from Friction

Sheep are social, but they squabble too. Ever heard of sheep drama? It’s a real thing. They’ll fight for food or dominance, and until peace is restored, no one’s resting.

But the moment the shepherd enters the scene, the tension dissolves. Why? Because the shepherd’s presence reorders their priorities.

Sound like church sometimes? We won’t always agree—on theology, politics, or how to pronounce hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia (fear of long words, in case you’re wondering). But unity doesn’t mean uniformity. It means choosing peace over petty differences. When our focus shifts from the conflict to the presence of Jesus, everything changes.

Psalm 97:5 says, “The mountains melt like wax before the Lord.” Even our biggest problems melt in His presence.

3. Freedom from Pests

Nothing ruins rest like pests. For sheep, that means bugs buzzing around their faces, irritating them to no end. For us, it’s the constant mental distractions, irritations, and sins that keep us from true peace.

The shepherd protects the sheep—sometimes even applying oil to keep the pests away. In Scripture, oil represents the Holy Spirit. Isn’t that a powerful picture? When we surrender to the Shepherd, He doesn’t just pick off the pests—He fills us with His Spirit and gives us the strength to resist them.

4. Freedom from Hunger

This one’s easy to relate to. Hungry sheep don’t rest—they roam. They’ll eat whatever they can find, even if it’s harmful.

It’s the shepherd’s job to lead them to green pastures. When they’re full, they lie down. Spiritually, we’re the same. We hunger for love, for purpose, for peace—and we’ll search everywhere to satisfy it.

But only Jesus satisfies the soul. Only He can fill us to the point of rest.

So what’s keeping you up? Fear? Friction? Distraction? Hunger?

The Good Shepherd is near. He’s leading you to green pastures. Will you let Him make you lie down?

When we rest in His presence, we find what we’ve been missing all along: peace, fullness, and the kind of deep soul-rest that only comes from Jesus.