He Makes Me Lie Down

Psalm 23:3

Sunday, September 02, 2007

"Warp speed, Mr. Sulu." There is this sudden surge of power and through the Enterprise and all aboard are thrust into the canopy of space to a destination where certain adventure awaits them. Stars turn to blurs like a time exposure photo as the vessel explodes into deep space.

Fast food, fast cars, 15-minute workouts, and a variety of other "time saving" devices and behaviors are meant to help us do more in less time. No one has yet found a way to create a 25^th hour. It is a useless and overwhelming attempt to live at such speed that we burn up like a piece of space junk on reentry. What is the frenzy all about? Why are we driven to such a dizzy pace? Is there a better way?

YES, YES, YES! The shepherd boy David penned these words in Psalm 23. "He makes me lie down in green pastures."
Rest and nourishment are key to having a healthy relationship with God and physical health. The shepherd MAKES the sheep lie down. Have you ever had a time in your life when the Good Shepherd had to make you lie down? Perhaps it was a health issue, or work layoffs, or even a mental breakdown. The shepherd cares about you, and sometimes he just says, "Paul, just lie down and be quiet!" Quit your frenzied pace, stop changing the world's dream of more in less time. You need your rest.

Here are some questions to answer.

1. When was the last time you took a real vacation where you relaxed and let the spring unwind?
   


2. Do you have a quiet time each day without conversations with anyone, no TV, no radio, no iPod, no reading, just you and God and quietness?
   


3. Does quietness make you nervous?
   


4. Do you honor the Sabbath (i.e., a day of rest with no agenda but God)?
   

It may sound a little strange, but you and I honor God when we rest. It is his way to restore your very soul. Maybe tonight it would be a good time to go outside after dark, under the great canvas of God's artwork, and look up! Those are the same stars and the same moon that moved David to pen the words to Psalm 23. "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul."
Psalm 23:1-3 (NIV)

Go to http://www.windsorassembly.org/ to listen to the lesson.