PSALM 23

PART THREE

REST

“He maketh me to lie down
in green pastures…”
PSALM 23:1

Rest is a state of heart that is not dependent upon location or circumstance. Here we see the great “mover” of men causing us to lie down in the rich provisions of His care. How little we realize that some of the great curses of sin are restlessness, anxiety and worry. It is in following the Great Shepherd of our souls that we find a grace ever moving us to places of rest and repose in the assurance that He cares and watches over us. “He maketh” (causes us) to lie down and so we find that peace that passes understanding. A peace that is not as the world gives, dependent upon circumstances, but a peace that is found in HIM as we follow wherever HE leads. Rest and peace are the result of a relationship with the Great Shepherd.

“Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me;
for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls”
MATTHEW 11:29

It is in being yoked with HIM that we learn of HIM. Bible schools, teachings, meetings and other activities alone will never cause us to KNOW HIM. It is in learning of HIM that we discover that meekness and humility is the “condition” of a heart that finds rest and repose in HIS infinite life. Let us not be discouraged in the WAY for we read here that “HE MAKETH” us to lie down. HE is ever with us to search out and lead us to discover that peace and rest in HIM rather than other things.

“the ark of the covenant of the LORD went before them in the three days’ journey,
TO SEARCH OUT A RESTING PLACE FOR THEM”
NUMBERS 10:33

When we insist on our own way, our own righteousness and our own provisions we forfeit the very rest that we so desperately crave. This rest is reserved for those who are able to submit to the wisdom and way of our Shepherd. We read in the New Covenant of ONE that IS COME to shine forth as the Child of the MOST HIGH GOD for the purpose of…

“To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the way of peace”
LUKE 1:79

How we need to see that REST is the fruit of being in the WAY, of allowing HIM to guide our feet INTO THE WAY of Peace. May the Lord stir us anew to be found ever in HIS WAY, to be where HE LEADS and GUIDES us to the green pastures of His provision.

“THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD
I SHALL NOT WANT”

Brian Troxel