- Green Pastures
Psalm 23.2
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures.
The promise here includes some coercion on God’s part, although we believe God never coerces. What do we do with “makes?” Sheep are so dumb that often their head needs to be pushed down to start them grazing; then the other dumb sheep follow the leader. The Holy Spirit prompts, leads, nudges, guides, and in that gentle sense He makes me lie down. But I am willingly following the guidance and wisdom of the Good Shepherd anyway, so with any leading I gladly follow. If He has to make me lie down I am more than happy to go along. Then I am rewarded with luxurious verdant pastures for peaceful rest and happy grazing. He supplies in a most abundant manner, a fresh, rich, good and tender meadow.
The lying down represents rest and satisfaction, safety and peace. The Word is the lush nourishment of the spiritual pastures. Truth from the Word is satisfying. The Bible is a spiritual paradise. Hidden treasure lies in this field: mercy and grace, pardon and peace, love and joy.
The hidden pastures are plural, not confined to only one place of spiritual refreshment, but will be found any place the presence of the Lord resides. The lying down of the soul means meditation, ruminating on heavenly food: recall, re-feel, re-intake, refresh. Meditation may attend every reading of the Word; green pastures invite that relaxed rumination and reflection. Live this wonderful promise.
Try it: meditate 30 seconds on each of these four words: “Yahweh is my Shepherd.”