A Shepherd Looks At Psalm 23 By W. Phillip Keller – Chapter 3 Reflection:
How does the Good Shepherd put us to rest?
Our ability to find rest all comes down to a matter of fear. I think most of us, if not all of us, really do enjoy rest; I know I sure do. When you stop and think about it, our worries and anxieties that produce restlessness in us, really are rooted in fear. Fear is nothing more than a lie from the enemy. We know this because scripture tells us over and over again that we have nothing to fear.
Fear not, for I am with you;
be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Is. 41:10)
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. (Jn. 14:27)
For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control (2 Tim. 1:7)
There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. (1 Jn. 4:18)
But now thus says the Lord,
he who created you, O Jacob,
he who formed you, O Israel:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name, you are mine.” (Is. 43:1)
That said, fear is still something that we all experience. We cannot avoid it. It is one of the enemy’s favorite and most powerful tools, and disobedience often stems from fear. So the question then becomes; How do we combat fear? When fear inevitably rears its ugly head, how do we respond? I believe the answer is quite simple. We lay it at the foot of the cross.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Phil. 4:6-7)
I sought the Lord, and he answered me
and delivered me from all my fears. (Ps. 34:4)
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. (1 Pt. 5:6-7)
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (Mt. 11:28-30)
All this seems to couple well with my chapter 2 reflection on contentment. For me, there is nothing that addresses the topics for fear and contentment better than Christ’s own words on the sermon on the mount. In which he tells us that our Father in heaven knows our every need.
“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” (Mt. 6:25-34)
Verse 33 has always been the one that frees my life from fear. “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Mt. 6:33) It all boils down to this; When I am seeking Him first, fear has no hold on me. When I set my eyes on Christ, I have no reason the be anxious about anything.
Finally, I don’t think we can discuss how the Shepherd puts us to rest without considering our future glory. Romans chapter 8 seems to say all there is to say about fear in the Christian life. We are sons of God. (Rm. 8:14) We did not receive a spirit of slavery and fear. (Rm. 8:15) We suffer with Christ so that we may also be glorified with Him. (Rm. 8:17) Our suffering pales in comparison to the glory is to be revealed to us. (Rm. 8:18) For those who love God, all things work together for good, for those called according to his purpose. (Rm. 8:28) God chooses us, calls us, justifies us, and glorifies us. (Rm. 8:29) If God is for us, who can be against us? (Rm. 8:31)
If God is for us, who can be against us?
If God is for us, what do we have to fear?
Because God is for me, I can lie down in green pastures.
Because God is for me, I can find rest.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.