In Green Pastures...

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 leads me in right paths

          for his name's sake.

                                                       - Psalm 23:1-3

On our trip to Scotland, Carol and I were walking along a dirt road with beautiful green pastures on either side of us. The green was so pure and lush, and there was no sound from cars or even other hikers; we were alone in our peace and quiet.

Well, almost alone. As we walked, we came upon some sheep resting on the crest of a knoll. I was captivated by their calm and serene appearance. My mind and my heart immediately leapt to the 23^rd Psalm: The Lord is my shepherd... He makes me lie down in green pastures.

The late Phillip Keller, a missionary to Africa and a shepherd, observes that in order for sheep to be made to lie down, four conditions must be met:

1. They must be free from fear;
2. They must be free from tension and rivalry within the flock;
3. They must be free of pests;
4. They must be free from hunger.

It is, of course, up to the shepherd to provide those conditions, so that the sheep can lie down in green pastures. It is up to the shepherd to assure the flock that there is nothing to fear, for the shepherd is watching over them. It is up to the shepherd to separate sheep that may vie for position, or that are aggressive toward one another; the shepherd is the one who will work to make sure there is peace within the flock. It is up to the shepherd to comb through the sheep's wool and pick out thorns; and the shepherd has to make sure that the sheep are led to places where the bugs and other pests won't disturb the sheep. It is up to the shepherd to make sure that the sheep are fed.

When the shepherd does all that, then the sheep can lie down in peace.

The Lord is my Shepherd.

The Lord has assured me that he is with me always (Matthew 28:20). His word to me is, “Let not your heart be troubled; neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:7) Condition number 1: check.

The Lord has taught me to love my fellow disciples, just as he has loved me (John 15:12). The Lord has given me the ministry of reconciliation, and has put that spirit in my heart (2 Corinthians 5:18-20). Condition number 2: check.

The Lord has filled me with the peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7). Condition number 3: check.

The Lord has fed me with the bread of life, so that I will never hunger (John 6:35). Condition 4: check.

The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures.