Women of Fellowship: The Lord is my Shepherd Chapter 3 RECAP
- Sherry Braswell
- Jun 18, 2020
- 15 min read
Good Morning Sisters,
”He makes me lie down in green pastures.” What picture is painted in your mind when you hear these words?
What is the one thing that is lacking in today’s world? Peace. There is a restlessness that has descended upon our nation. One out of three are having problems sleeping at night. The prince of the power of the air is a “restless” spirit and he knows that his time is running out. Matthew 12:43 says “When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it.”
I awoke to these words “your confidence is no longer in yourself, it’s in Me.” Then I had a vision of David running toward Goliath and I heard the Holy Spirit whisper “did David boast in himself? Did he boast in the giant? No. He boasted in ME. “ Who are you boasting in Sherry?” If it’s anyone or anything other than Me you are leaving a door open to the enemy. THIS is how fear gets into your life. David never spoke of the giant, never spoke of his own ability to defeat the giant. He ONLY spoke of the greatness of HIS Lord. David’s confidence was not in himself and he did not get into fear because he did not focus on the giant.
I believe DAVID is the man of the hour. A man who knew the source of His strength. A man who knew that the PEACE we seek can only be found in our shepherd.
Seeking our peace anywhere other than the Lord will only bring fear, stress and anxiety into our lives.
Do you think it’s an accident that we are studying a Psalm that brings PEACE and REST in the middle of a pandemic?
The Lord is bringing fresh manna in this season, as He knows the fear that is gripping our world right now through the threat of the Coronavirus and the riots that have erupted across our nation. As Rita’s sister-in-law Donna Hanshumaker said on Facebook ...“Fear makes people do extreme things therefore we need to be extreme in our faith. Put on the armor of God and stand tall and fight!” The Lord did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind. Sisters this is a very significant year on God’s calendar. This is the year 5780 on the Hebrew calendar. In Hebrew there are 22 letters in the alphabet and each letter also represents a number and a picture. 80 is “peh” in Hebrew which means “mouth”. Proverbs 18:21 says the power of life and death are in our tongue. This is the year we will see what we speak. Job 22:28 says “Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee: and the light shall shine upon your ways.”
What did David DO as he was running toward Goliath? He SPOKE to the giant. HE SPOKE of the greatness of HIS GOD. He declared and decreed it out of His mouth! As Christians we are not supposed to act like the rest of the world when faced with a crisis. We are called to a higher level. We are called to take our authority in Christ! We are not to live by our five senses (what we see, hear, taste, touch and feel) but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. (Matthew 4:4) Matthew 10:1 says that Jesus gave us authority over all unclean spirits and disease. When we speak what He speaks we will have what He says. Our words are containers of power. NOW is the time to SPEAK what God says.
Last night we talked about how sheep respond in a crisis and human response is so similar. This study has really opened our eyes to how defenseless, timid and weak we are without our Shepherd. I am including my notes below. I am so very thankful to be sharing this time with you. It is my very favorite study to date as it is SO ON POINT for the time we are living. It confirms how very much the Lord loves us.
Next week we will plunge into Chapter 4 “He leadeth Me Beside the Still Waters.” Ashley Shuell will be teaching.
I pray Psalm 23 and Psalm 91 over you this week my beloved sisters. God’s grace is greater! Our best days are ahead of us! REST in HIS PRESENCE.
Recording of last night:
Access Password: 9M&8^k0?
JUNE Schedule:
Women of Faith Study...
“A Shepherd’s Look at Psalm 23”
Wed. 6/3, 6/10, 6/17 & 6/24
7-8 pm on Zoom
Wed. Link:
Password: 196078
Prayer and Praise
Every Thurs & Sun in June
6/4, 6/7, 6/11, 6/14, 6/18, 6/21, 6/25, 6/28, 6/31
7-7:45 on Zoom
Thursday link :
Password: 778244
Sunday link:
Password: 922285
I look forward to seeing you TONIGHT on the PRAYER CALL. Judith Street will be leading.
Love,
Sherry :-)
Notes on Chapter 3 “He Maketh Me to Lie Down in Green Pastures
What do you picture when you read this verse? What is the image you have in your mind of green pastures?
I grew up in the mountains of NC so when I heard green pastures I think of rolling hills and beautiful, lush green grass.
The Merriam Webster Dictionary defines a pasture like this: “Plants (such as grass) grown for the feeding especially of grazing animals; land or a plot of land used for grazing; the feeding of livestock; grazing.”
The dictionary paints a picture in our minds of a wide-open field full of tall, lush grass, perhaps some flowers and a few trees. We basically think of a beautiful, serene meadow. We also commonly take the Bible’s green pastures to mean that God supplies all we need in amazing abundance. But, this isn’t what David was saying. Let me explain.
In the areas around Jerusalem, the hillsides are mainly dirt and sand. There’s not a lot of lush, green grass. All you find are a bunch of rocks and maybe a sprig of grass popping up here and there, which you can see here.
So, what could David have been referring to when he says God makes him lie down in green pastures? To our modern eyes, we detect no pasture and certainly no greenery.
But look again.
Biblical Green Pastures
Just like where you live, there are certain times of year when it rains often and there are times when it’s a bit dry. Psalm 23:2 is referring to those dry seasons, not just in the environment but in our lives.
In Israel, the west wind blows its humidity against the hillsides where it condenses on the cool rocks at night. That little bit of moisture (along with the meager 23 inches of rain Jerusalem gets each year) is just enough to grow those little sprigs of grass.
If you step back from the scene after it rains, you will see those sprigs of grass on some areas of the hillsides facing the wind. These are the green pastures the Bible talks about. There is grass during the rainy season, but you can imagine how sparse it gets in the dry season.
There are dirt paths crossing the hillsides. These paths are where the shepherd allows his or her sheep to graze on those little sprigs, and they are spaced just far enough apart so the sheep can both reach into the middle to get a mouthful of grassy goodness.
It’s not a lot of grass. Just little sprigs. But it’s enough to take a bite then walk a little farther and take another bite. The shepherd leads the sheep through the sprigs until each sheep has had a chance to eat. It’s not a lot of grass sometimes, but it’s enough for today’s meal.
The Shepherd Meets Our Needs
This is how God shepherds us. He doesn’t lead us to lush green cattle pastures where we have everything in abundance. No, God leads us along the right paths through the little sprigs giving us just enough for today. Tomorrow, He will lead us along other paths to supply our daily needs. Some days He may bless us with a lot of sprigs, and other days there may only be a little. But, there will always be enough for what we need.
As for lying down in green pastures, the shepherd creates enclosures where the sheep can rest at night in safety as well as eat. In this sense, the green pastures are a place for us to rest under the shepherd’s (God’s) watchful eye. God doesn’t “make” us lie down, but He offers His peace and contentment every day to those who seek it.
Isn’t that beautiful? It certainly changes our perspective of what David meant by green pastures, doesn’t it?
It’s almost impossible to get sheep to lie down unless 4 requirements are met.
When we examine each of these factors that affect them so severely we will understand the important role the shepherd plays in their lives. It is the shepherd that makes it possible for them to rest, relax, be content and flourish. Only the shepherd can provide release from these anxieties.The four factors are fear, tension, aggravations and hunger.
A flock that is restless, discontented, always agitated and disturbed never does well. The same is true for people.
How do we find freedom in those areas of our lives?
1) They need to be free from fear. Is there anything in your life that you want to, “Get up and run” from? What is it? What is a situation in your life where you have been fearful, but God proved Himself faithful?
Sheep are very timid and easily panicked. Even a stray jackrabbit can easily startle them and cause a stampede of the whole flock. When one startled sheep runs in fright it causes dozens of others to follow it in blind fear, not waiting to see what frightened them. Sheep have little or no means of self defense. They are helpless, timid, feeble creatures whose only recourse is to run.
What quiets and reassures a sheep? To see its master in the field. The presence of their master and owner and protector puts them at ease as nothing else can.
In the Christian’s life there is no substitute for the keen awareness that our Shepherd is nearby.
The only thing that can dispel the fear, the panic and the terror of the unknown.
We can live either one of two ways: With a sense of anxiety, fear and foreboding, or a sense of quiet rest. Usually it’s the “unknown”, the “unexpected” that produces the greatest anxiety and panic. Often when we encounter adversity our first impulse is like that of sheep...it is to run.
Deep down we know that we cannot shepherd ourselves and this creates fear which produces anxiety. The world we live in is an uncertain one, any hour can bring hardship or disaster. In the midst of our trials there suddenly comes the awareness that Jesus is there. It makes ALL the difference. His presence changes everything. It changes our perspective. Suddenly we don’t feel so overwhelmed...things are quite so terrifying. We realize that it is HE who is in control and that we can trust Him. When our focus changes our outlook changes and we have hope. We find ourselves delivered from fear. Rest returns and we can relax.
2 Timothy 1:7
“God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind.”
A sound mind is a mind that is at rest. A mind at peace. A mind not perturbed or harassed or obsessed with fear of the future.
2) Tension. The second source of rear from which the sheepman delivers his sheep is that of tension, rivalry and and cruel competition within the flock itself. Sheep will not lie down unless they are free from friction with others of their kind.
Did you know that in every animal society there is an established order of dominance or status within the group? In chickens it’s called the “pecking order.” With cattle it’s called the “horning order.” Among sheep it’s called the “butting order.”
Usually an arrogant, cunning and domineering old ewe will be the boss of a flock of sheep. She maintains her position through dominance, by butting and driving other ewes or lambs away from the best grazing fields.
Read Ezekial 34:15-16, 20-22 to get a vivid picture of this process.
“I myself will tend my sheep and have them lie down, declares the Sovereign Lord. 16 I will search for the lost and bring back the strays. I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak, but the sleek and the strong I will destroy. I will shepherd the flock with justice.”
20:22...“‘Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says to them: See, I myself will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep. 21 Because you shove with flank and shoulder, butting all the weak sheep with your horns until you have driven them away, 22 I will save my flock, and they will no longer be plundered. I will judge between one sheep and another.”
Because of this rivalry, tension and competition for status, there is friction in the flock. The sheep cannot lie down and rest in contentment. They are always having to stand up and defend their rights. This continuous jealousy and conflict within the flock can be very detrimental.
The sheep become edgy, tense, restless and discontented. They lose weight and become very irritable. Guess what happens when the shepherd enters their presence? They quickly forget their foolish rivalries and stop fighting.
This perfectly typifies the struggle for status in human society. This eternal competition to “keep up with the Joneses.”...or today to “to keep up with the Joneses kids.”
In our culture, whether it be in the family, the church, school or business...be it big or small, there is a struggle and striving for self recognition. Most of us fight to be the “top sheep.” We butt and quarrel and compete to get ahead. And in this process people are hurt. Jealousy arises as we feel we must fight for our place. Hate is birthed through the comparisons and rivalry. We see it among siblings. We see it among friends in school. We see it in the workplace. There is so much brokenness in families today because of this continual need to “stand up” for ourselves just to get ahead of the crowd.
Look at Esau and Jacob. Look at what Joseph’s brothers did to him out of jealousy. It is here that discontent grows into a covetous way of life where one has to continually “stand up” for himself just to get ahead of the crowd.
A hallmark of the Christian life should be one of serene gentle contentment. “Godliness with contentment is great gain.”
Do you remember what the apostle Paul said? “I have learned in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” Certainly this applies to our status in society.
The truth is this...if you place yourself in a certain status in life through your own self effort it is on YOU to keep yourself there. If God places you there it is on Him to keep you there.
The endless unrest of the person who is always trying to “get ahead” of the crowd, who is always trying to be the “top sheep”, always trying to be on top of the totem pole, is formidable to watch.
Did Jesus have an opinion here? Jesus pointed out that the last would be first and the first last. Jesus had great compassion for the poor...for those sheep who get butted about by the more domineering ones.
It’s also interesting to note that the less aggressive sheep are often the ones that are the most contented, quiet and restful. So there are definite advantages in being “bottom sheep.”
When we keep our eyes on our Shepherd they are not on those around us. THIS is the place of peace. We have to learn to run our race. Stay in our lane. Not to get distracted by what others are doing or achieving. We must also remember that it is only HIS opinion that matters. Only HE can judge what our status really is. It is His estimation of my worth that holds any lasting value.
I would rather have the approval of God than the approval of man. I would rather have the affection of the Good Shepherd than a place of prominence in society.
Can you apply Psalm 27:1 to your life?
“The LORD is the stronghold of my life-- of whom shall I be afraid? When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident.”
Like sheep, we need to be free from friction with others. Have you been hurt by the “pecking order” in Christianity? If so, give it to the Lord and allow Him to heal you of that hurt. It is so important that we forgive anyone who has caused us pain or harm. Forgiving is not for them. It is for you. It frees your power, heals your body, mind and spirit. Forgiveness opens up a pathway to a new place of peace where you can persist despite what has happened to you.
Do you ever practice the Christian “pecking order” to keep your place?
Psalm 75:6-7
“No one from the east or the west or from the desert can exalt themselves. It is God who judges: He brings one down, he exalts another.”
As you read this chapter did you notice that Mr. Keller spends most of his time discussing friction with others. Why do you think he spends so much time on this subject? Can you think of anyone you know that has hurt people in the body of Christ because they had to be the top sheep? Will you forgive that person if you have been hurt and make the commitment to pray for them?
3) Sheep need to be free of pests. Are there things in your life that irritate or “bug” you?
What are they? Will you pray and ask the Lord to give you patience to handle them?
Do you let the Holy Spirit bring quietness, serenity, strength and calmness in the midst of frustration? If not, what stops you from doing this? He offers this to you but you have to let Him in.
In the summer sheep can be driven to absolute distraction by nasal flies, bot flies, warble flies and ticks. When tormented by these pests it is virtually impossible for them to lie down and rest.
Instead they are on their feet, stamping their legs, shaking their heads, ready to rush off into the woods from relief from these pests. It is only the diligent care of their shepherd that can can rid them of these irritants. A good shepherd will apply all kinds of insect repellants to his sheep, dipping them to clear their fleece of ticks. He’ll provide lots of trees and bush for them to seek shelter. All of this takes a lot of time and labor. He must keep a close watch on their behavior for the first signs of pests.
Similarly, the Christian life is full of lots of small irritants. Lots of things tend to “bug” us.
Did you know that one of the main jobs of the Holy Spirit is to help us with these irritants? In the Bible He is often symbolized by oil...oil that brings healing, comfort and relief from the abrasive aspects of life. In the midst of our storms it is HE that brings peace, strength and calmness to our hearts.
Is there something “bugging” you right now that is stealing your peace? Say out loud…”O Master, this is beyond me...I can’t cope with it...it’s bugging me...I can’t rest...please take over!”
4) Sheep must be free from hunger. In our Christian walk, the old saying is very true spiritually, “You are what you eat.” Do you spend time feeding on the Word of God, or do you feed on the “barren ground” of this world? What changes do you need to make in what you fill your life with?
John 6:27-35
“Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.”
Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?”
Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”
So they asked him, “What sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? 31 Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.”
Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”
“Sir,” they said, “always give us this bread.”
Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”
What is the most important food we eat each day? The basic needs we have is the nourishment from within. Our spiritual food. The basic needs of a flock are grass and water. The shepherd provides both of these. He knows where the watering holes are and knows where the grassy meadows are.
One of the keys of a successful sheep owner is in developing rich, lush pastures for his flock. This is no small task since many of the great sheep countries of the world are dry, semi-arid areas. Most breeds of sheep thrive best in this sort of terrain as they are susceptible to fewer parasites where the climate is dry. But in those dry climates it is harder to find green pastures. So in order for the shepherd to have green pastures it took a LOT of labor, time and skill. Green pastures are essential to success with sheep. When the sheep fill up quickly, they lie down quietly to rest. A hungry sheep never stops...always on its feet searching for food. Such sheep are not content and do not thrive.
Think about all of the toil that goes into preparing these fields. It can be compared to the work Jesus does to clear the rocks of stony unbelief in our hearts, tearing out the roots of bitterness and breaking up the proud human heart that is set like sun-dried clay. Once he toils the ground and removes these bitter roots He sows the seed of His Word, which, if watered, will produce rich crops of contentment and peace.
It is God who restores the inner man through his word. As we feed upon the word of God we see the Lord Jesus there. We draw upon him and our inner man is satisfied.
In our times of deep need, when we help, it is no farther away than God’s Word. Everything we need to nourish our inner man is right there. As Peter says “In Christ all things are given onto us that pertain to life and godliness.” (2 Peter 1:3). Anything and everything we need which relates to this life is available in HIM. JESUS is our answer!
Comments