David in penning the Shepherd Psalm said, “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures” (Psalm 23:2).
Notice that He leads, “beside the still waters” (verse 2); and also, “in the paths of righteousness” (verse 3). But when it comes to the “green pastures” sometimes He has to put His loving, tender hand upon us and “make” us stop and lie down. This is because we often do not take the time to stop in the hectic fray of life and enjoy personal communion with Himself, of which pastures and fields so often speak in Scripture. We need to be like Isaac who “went out to meditate in the field at the eventide” (Genesis 24:63).
Don’t be upset or annoyed by those times when He makes you stop and lie down in sweet fellowship with Himself. These are times that enlarge the soul, and we can rejoice that we are “His people, and the sheep of His pasture” (Psalm 100:3).
He leads me by the waters, still,
But in His pastures I am still!
While lying down in sweetest rest,
Is where He teaches me the best.