Psalm 23:1-6 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. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.Verse 2 “He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters.
Exodus 14:10-16 (NIV) 10 As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians, marching after them. They were terrified and cried out to the LORD. 11 They said to Moses, "Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? 12 Didn't we say to you in Egypt, 'Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians'? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!" 13 Moses answered the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. 14 The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still."
Moses was speaking to their posture not their progress.
15 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on. 16 Raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea to divide the water so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground.
Lie down in green pastures.
Ezekiel 34:14-15 (NLT) 14 Yes, I will give them good pastureland on the high hills of Israel. There they will lie down in pleasant places and feed in the lush pastures of the hills. 15 I myself will tend my sheep and give them a place to lie down in peace, says the Sovereign LORD.
Certain conditions must be met in order for sheep to rest:
1. Free from Fear.
Good shepherds are always aware of the sheep.
2. Free from Friction(of other sheep)
Only lost sheep travel alone.
3. Free from Pests
“You don't need a diagnosis, you need Resolve.”
Psalms 23:5 You anoint my head with oil.
4. Free from Hunger
We eat and rest from the same place.
“The table is set, the meal is ready….Jesus paid a high price so that we can have fellowship with God and nourish our soul.”
When a sheep realizes he is in the plush green pasture is is easy for him to have confidence and rest.
He leads me beside quiet waters….
Isaiah 43:18-19 "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.
John 4:14(NIV) Whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."
John 7:38 (NIV) Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him
“Jesus doesn't simply give drinks….he gives wells!”
Matthew 11:28-30 (NLT) 28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”