God Wants Me to Rest

In review of Psalm 23:2 it says, “He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters” (NIV).

Today’s verse is Psalm 23:2, in it David tells of how God’s fellowship and relationship lets him rest in fields of green grass and how he leads him to quiet pools of fresh water.

When I allow God, my shepherd, to guide me as well, I will have contentment. God knows the "green grass" and "pools of fresh water" that will help to restore me. However, I will reach these places only by following him obediently.

This morning I’m reminded of how I’m always in a hurry. How I have a to-do list that is unrealistically long. How others have told me to slow down. Even how I feel guilty when I relax, only getting sick to take time off.

The pace of my life and our society pushes me to keep going and going and going. Many people work even on their day off. And those who go to a church service often head home afterward only to dive right into work (whether it’s housework, schoolwork, or career work), trying to do all the stuff that they didn’t accomplish during the regular work week.

No wonder I’m exhausted! I’m maxed out. But this not the way of the Good Shepherd.

God, in his goodness, created rest because he considers it as important as work. A loving shepherd makes sure his sheep get enough rest to stay healthy. If I won’t lie down, God will make me lie down. Sometimes the only way God can get me to look up is to lay me flat on my back. He will do that because he cares about my physical, emotional, and spiritual health.

Psalm 23:2 says, “He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters” (NIV).

Giving God my best requires rest.

Bottom Line:

He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams.

What this means to me:

God is a caring shepherd and dependable guide. I should follow Him and obey his commands. He is my only hope for eternal life and security. He lets me rest in the meadow grass and leads me beside the quiet streams.

In summary, fellowship and relationship lets me rest in fields of green grass, how he leads to quiet pools of fresh water. When I allow God, to guide me, I will have contentment. I reach these only by following him obediently. Seems my life is always hurried, with a large to-do list. My pace pushes me to keep going and going and going. But God created rest because he considers it just as important as work. He cares about my physical, emotional and spiritual health. Giving God my best requires that I rest.

Today’s verse is a reminder that I need to watch out and change my schedule and expectations so that I can get enough rest. This means, not working on weekends or evenings and even leaving work at a reasonable time. I pray this morning that you will help me organize my work list, help me make choices that allow me to rest but still accomplish what’s most important. I ask for your wisdom and guidance in my work, how I lead and how I interact with others today. These things I pray in Jesus name, amen!