He Makes Me Lie Down

What once was a blazing roaring fire, had now settled down into dim gentle flames, licking what logs were left in the campfire. The red hot coals encircling the wood were still throwing off heat, but had dissipated enough that the soldier lying nearby had chillfully awakened out of his nocturnal nap. It had been many trying days and long nights in the field. All around him his young warriors slept in peaceful abandon from the fatigue of battle. David had led these men to many victories, knowing full well that God had led them through the battles and had blessed them with success. 

He brushed the sleep from his eyes, and stiffly stretched, and added more wood to the fire. It caused the flames to pop and crackle enough that a few soldiers stirred, but rolled over to return to their restless dreams. The new growing fire cast an eerie shadow across the silhouette of the wooded glen enough to stir David’s memories of wrestling bears and killing lions while he tended the sheep. Even though he was skilled with the bow and knife from a lifetime in the fields, David knew it was God’s strength working through these skills to protect the sheep he once tended. It was that same power that had caused him to defeat the giant in the Alah valley. David smiled to himself, as his thought about his older brother who had for once been stunned into silence by the young shepherds victory over Goliath.

David’s thoughts turned to the current circumstances he and his band of men were facing. King Saul nipping at his heels with his vengeful hunt to capture or kill him, David was of the conviction that he was a wanted man and had several enemies. David was at the top of Saul’s hit list. Sometimes Saul’s men and even Saul himself had been so close, David feared that the sounds of his own loud heart hammering in his chest would reveal his hiding place. Certainly, David could recount all the close calls where in the measure of a single breath he and his men could have been overtaken. 

But tonight, all was at rest. Even the two watchmen found their loyalty to their task was challenged by an irresistible doze. Reclining back, David looked up at the starlit sky and gave thanks to God that He had continued to impart to him the protection from danger. As David closed his eyes, he entrusted his care once more to his Keeper. David’s soul found a place to rest and rid itself of today’s trouble. Tomorrow’s sunrise would bring it’s own challenges.

When we look at the 23rd Psalm, we often think of David as a young shepherd boy penning these memorable lines in a peaceful green pasture. Truth be known, this Psalm was written later in David’s life. He speaks from a mature perspective. Having faced both the danger of death and achieving some prosperity, the experience of one who has walked with God in faith comes through David’s words. 

Lying down and resting would be a challenge for David. As a military genius he would be found always looking over his shoulder, “watchdogging” his men. I think of David and his resume as a great warrior, well-trained, savvy, wise, and skilled, oh and don’t forget the watchful shepherd. A good shepherd and soldier always stay on the alert —one eye open status.  David’s tendencies and training as the watchdog is ever more real when I think back to a time when we had a federal marshal in our church for a few years. Whenever we went out to dinner, this agent sat where he could see the door, scope out all the exits subtly and was always packing heat. He was the sweetest guy, super tender, a kind gentle soul, but he was a dyed-in- the- wool law enforcement guy. We enjoyed his fellowship, but he was lovingly referred to as “the watchdog.”  I picture David like this. 

In my own life, I like to refer to 23^rd Psalm, as the Psalm of trust. David had to surrender all of his skills and instincts to the Lord in order to become the person, the man God could use. It took me a long time to learn that I my experiences, skills and God given abilities could not keep me. I would have to lie down in a pasture. 

I love that God is in the business of making. My first memory rhyme was one my mother taught me, “God made the moon and God made me.” But this isn’t the same type of “making’ here in these words of David. This ‘making’ is a causative word. Without getting too fancy, it means in layman’s terms God made David to lie down as a result of the previous principles established in the Psalm itself. “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want, He makes me lie down in green pastures…” David had worshipped God as his Lord, recognized God as his keeper and proclaimed his needs were more than sufficiently met. Because David held fast to these beliefs, he was able to lie down in place of refreshing, a place to unplug, free of worry and fear.

In the over producing, anxious, success driven fabric of our lives, isn’t it great to know that the Good Shepherd can make us lie down? It makes me reflect on Jesus’ invitation in Matthew 11:28, “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me, and you will recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest.” I like how the translation in The Message continues and encourages us to, “Learn to walk in the unforced rhythm of grace.” I wonder in these past days of quarantine, how much have I pondered and pursued the opportunity to live and rest in the rhythm of grace?

I read where when a young lamb won’t stay in the safety of the fold, and repeatedly wanders off, sometimes the shepherd gently breaks its leg to keep it from roaming into wolf territory. He makes it lie down. I don’t believe God causes viruses. It is against His nature to do harm to His people. However, many of us are lying down for the first time in a long time. What will be the result of this?  What’s the salvage value of forced disengagement? What is the lesson learned in being made to lie down?

Over my bed, I posted these scriptures in graffiti that are taken from Psalm 121 (known as the travelers/soldiers Psalm), and Psalm 4: 

“The God of Israel never sleeps or slumbers…
In peace, I will lie down and sleep…”

I wish I could say it was placed there as a proclamation of victory, rather it is a remindful beseechment after traveling life’s miles the end of each day. If I want to experience God’s rest, then I must surrender to that place of ‘keptness’ and lie down. I must recognize that being under The Lords watchful care is ultimately the only place I can or will find a place free of worry and fear. A pasture of rest for my weary soul.