He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters.
Psalm 23:2
David was no stranger in guiding sheep to green pastures. As a shepherd, that was his responsibility. It was important that the sheep were protected and able to access food. Green pastures were lush and fertile and entirely suitable for the sheep to graze and relax. When in green pastures, the sheep could rely on the protection and provision of the shepherd.
As believers, we too can proclaim that the Lord guides us to “lie down in green pastures.” Green pastures represent no less than three spiritual truths.
- Green pastures represent safety and security.
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.
1 John 4:18
When the Lord is our Shepherd, we can rest in the safety and security that He provides. The world can often cause us to fear but the analogy of abiding in green pastures should remind us of the security that is ours in Christ. John reminds us that, “There is no fear in love.” When we proclaim the Lord as our Shepherd, we are acknowledging that He is our Savior, releasing us from any condemnation that would come as a result of sin. This should bring us a sense of spiritual security into our lives.
Fear is the opposite of faith. I do not believe that this passage is referring to “phobias.” There are all types of things in which people are afraid. But the fear being discussed in this passage is the fear that accompanies Divine judgment. Perfect love casts out this kind of fear because, in Christ, we are released from the penalty of sin. We have a spiritual enemy and he would like nothing more than for us to live in fear, always worrying about whether or not we have lived a life sufficient enough to be accepted and loved by God. The reality is that Christ makes us sufficient (2 Corinthians 3:4-6, Romans 4:4-5). Perfect love casts out fear and God is perfect love (1 John 4:8). When we fear the penalty that comes from sin we prove ourselves to be outside of the security that should come from experiencing the perfect love of God. To “lie down in green pastures” is to enjoy the safety and security that comes from knowing Jesus!
- Green pastures represent salvation and provision.
I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.
John 10:9
When the Lord is our Shepherd, we can rely on the salvation and provision that He provides. For the sheep, green pastures are free from cactus or other plants that might be harmful to the animal. Green pastures are lush and abundantly supplied with green grass in which the animals can graze.
I was working in our pasture today cutting down mesquite bushes. I was reminded that when dealing with mesquite, one has to be careful as they are filled with thorns. Even with protective gloves, these thorny plants can cause pain. Contrast that with green pastures which are free of thorns and thistles.
Jesus tells us that He is the door and that those who enter through Him will be saved. They “will go in and out and find pasture.” In Jesus, we can enjoy the spiritual freedom that comes from knowing that we belong to Him. Just as the sheep enjoy feeding, to “lie down in green pastures” is to enjoy spiritually feeding on the salvation and provision that comes from knowing Jesus!
- Green pastures represent peace and rest.
Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28
When the Lord is our Shepherd, we can enjoy the true peace and rest that only He can provide. Jesus invites everyone who is “tired and burdened” to come to Him. The promise for those who will simply yield their lives to Him is that of receiving a sense of spiritual peace and rest. When visualizing the sheep quietly graze in the lush pasture under the watch care of the Shepherd, the scene gives off a sense of tranquility and calm. The sheep are wholly untroubled and relaxed. Green pastures also symbolize a place in which we can go and find serenity. To “lie down in green pastures” is to enjoy the peace and rest that comes from knowing Jesus!
As we proclaim, “The Lord is my Shepherd” we can also declare, “I shall not want.” And for those who have found safety, security, salvation, provision, peace, and rest in Jesus, they can truly say, “He makes me lie down in green pastures!”
*some thought from God’s Psychiatry by Charles L. Allen
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