Makes Me Lie down

Makes Me Lie Down 

by David Brenneman 

In the midst of my unexpected employment hiatis has been a few things that, for me, have been rather new to realize during this time.  We're still studying in Psalms 23 a book called "A Shepherd's Look at Psalm 23" by Phillip W. Keller.  Chapter 3 seems to be part of my season in life right now.

It starts this way "The strange thing about sheep is that because of their very make-up it is almost impossible for them to be made to lie down unless four requirements are met.

Owing to their timidity they refuse to lie down unless they are free of all fear.

Because of the social behavior within a flock of sheep they will not lie down unless they are free from friction with others of their kind.

If tormented by flies or parasites, sheep will not like down ONly when free of these pests can they relax.

Lastly, sheep will not lie down as long as they feel the need of finding food. They must be free from hunger.

It is significant that to be at rest there must be a definite sense of freedom from fear, tension, aggravations and hunger.  The unique aspect of the picture is that it is only the sheepman himself who can provide release from these anxieties. It all depends upon the diligence of the owner whether or not his flock is free of disturbing influences.

Later in this chapter (3) he writes "In the course of time I came to realize that nothing so quieted and reassured the sheep as to see me in the field.  The presence of their master and owner and protector put them at ease as nothing else could do, and this applied day and night.

"He maketh me to lie down"

In the Christian's life there is no substitute for the keen awareness that my Shepherd is nearby.  There is nothing like Christ's presence to dispel the fear, the panic, the terror of the unknown.  We live a most uncertain life.  Any hour can bring disaster, danger and distress from unknown quarters. Life is full of hazards.  No one can tell what a day will produce in new trouble.  We live in a sense of anxiety, fear and foreboding, or in a sense of quiet rest.  Which is it.

This is where I am finding myself this week.  Hard to believe that I'm on day 3 of being unemployed yet there's this peace that I cannot describe with words that's been comforting me every waking moment.  Telling me not to worry.  Telling me that He's got this.  That no matter how things appear, He's still working all things to gether for my good and His glory.  Remembering passages that tell me not to worry about tomorrow because tomorrow has enough trouble of it's own. 

It starts with prayer.  It leads to a better disposition.  It must include time in the Word of God.  Regardless of this situation I am not going to sacrifice any time with God.  That's non-negotiable.  

I don't get up AS early in the mornings but I still am with my Savior in the mornings before writing a post that He brings to me to write.  That's just how life has been and He's not indicated at all that it should change.  The rest of my day has changed but not that.  I still am in my evening studies.  School is certainly NOT out because of this.

This time through something like this...there's been many many as of now countless...reminders that God's got this.  That there's more going on than meets the eye and He is THE promise keeper.   

We choose to stay close to our Great Shepherd or we wander off and then He's going to come get us.

Take a good look at the story of leaving the 99 to find the 1 who wandered.

Even our cats know that I'm not stressed over all of this.  Adelle has returned to being a lap kitty with me and will sleep for as long as I stay in my chair on my lap.   In the past my stressful times have kept our 'kids' away from me because they couldn't stand it.  My blood pressure is still in the acceptable range.

Sleep isn't fleeing me.  That peace that passes all understanding.

Nothing can get to a Believer unless it's been approved to do so by Jesus and our Father in Heaven.  We're in Jesus's hands and He's in the Father's hands. 

The stress that I had from work I was doing has been fully removed from me.  I've taken PTO before and never felt this good during it.  This is my God in action.   These are the undertones and signs that He's working on things for me.  I look for jobs and apply to what sounds like 'me' and keep up with what all He does give me to be doing.  That's life.  Jesus loves me this I know.