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Whenever I am away from my wife overnight, I have a hard time sleeping. I just lie there, staring at the ceiling, wishing I would go to sleep. If I were to travel more often, it would be vital that I learn to rest no matter where I am! Since surgery, I have had to learn to deal with pain and sleeping during recovery. Pain can definitely affect a person’s ability to rest!
Rest is so important for strong health, physically and spiritually! For the believer, it is vital that we learn to rest in the Lord!
In Psalm 23:2 it says, “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures…” This is an interesting phrase – and it is helpful to have a better understanding of sheep to fully comprehend this phrase from Psalm 23.
Consider some background about sheep:
It is almost impossible for sheep to lie down unless four requirements are met:
1. First, they must be free from fear.
2. Second, they must be free from friction with others of their kind
3. Third, they must be free of pests (flies, parasites).
4. Fourth, they must be free from hunger.
Unless all four requirements are fulfilled, they simply cannot rest!
What is interesting is that it is only the shepherd who can provide release from these anxieties. It all depends upon the diligence of the owner, as to whether his flock is free of disturbing influences. It is the shepherd who makes it possible for the sheep to lie down, to rest, to relax, to be content, quiet, and flourishing! So, let us look at these four obstacles that block true rest.
1. Freedom from Fear
In looking for freedom from fear we must understand that sheep are somewhat defenseless.
A shepherd tells the story of a friend coming over for a visit and happened to bring her small Pekingese dog. The dog simply hopped out of the car upon arrival. The shepherd's herd of 200 sheep, that had been lying in the nearby pasture peacefully, all jumped to their feet and ran to a far portion of the pasture.
Sheep have little or no means of self-defense. They are helpless, timid, feeble creatures whose only recourse is to run. Countless shepherds could tell stories of how their herd had been attacked during the night by a wild animal. One spoke of such an attack in his early years and so from then on, he slept with a rifle and flashlight by his bed. What this one shepherd came to realize was that nothing so quieted and reassured the sheep as to see him in the field. The presence of their master, owner, and protector put them at ease as nothing else could do!
There is no substitute for the keen awareness that the Good Shepherd is present! So, before you run in self-defense to anger, or to self-pity, or to verbal/physical attack mode, or to seclusion – remind yourself of your ever present Good Shepherd.
II Timothy 1:7 directs us to understanding what position the Lord has given us. It is important to know that “a sound mind” has the idea of a mind at ease—or at peace—not perturbed or harassed or obsessed with fear and foreboding for the future.
Hebrews 13:5, 8 reminds us that our Good Shepherd will never leave us…and He is always the same!
Proverbs 15:3 reveals that the Good Shepherd sees the good and the bad.
Psalm 16:11 declares that the presence of our Good Shepherd is connected to the fulness of our joy and pleasures for evermore.
Exodus 33:14 triumphantly reassures us that our Good Shepherd’s presence will give rest.
Living in the reality of the Good Shepherd’s presence will bring freedom from fear...and rest will follow!
2. Free of Rivalries
Another thing I have come to understand about sheep is that there is an established order of dominance or status within the group of sheep. With chickens it is referred to as “pecking order,” with cattle it is called “horning order,” and with sheep it is called, “butting order.” A sheep maintains their status of prominence in the herd by butting or driving other ewes or lambs away from the best grazing or favorite bedgrounds. However, whenever the owner (master) comes into view and his presence attracts their attention, the sheep quickly forget their foolish rivalries and stop their fighting!
We can often find ourselves choosing a battle that simply isn’t important enough to fight someone over. At the beginning of the battle, we believe we have secured the moral high ground – that is why we “go to war” with another believer. However, too many “righteous battles” are actually struggles for dominance and preferences. Notice that the sheep fight over prominence. What calms the battle? When the one who is chief among them (the shepherd) comes into view, all fighting ceases.
True rest is not possible when battles rage among your relationships.
Examine your battles. Ask yourself these 4 key questions:
In this conflict, does my spirit look like Jesus?
In other words, how I am handling this battle and how do I talk about it to others...do I look more like the fruit of the Spirit or the lusts of the flesh? Standing up for an important spiritual cause cannot be defended with fleshly means. Spiritual battles with fleshly means will only cause greater problems, guilty conscience, misery, and failure.
Would I continue my battle if Jesus were visibly present?
What about my battles would I not want to answer to God for if I came face to face with Him today?
In one sentence, what do I think this battle is about?
Is the battle about core doctrine or opinions? Is that something I need to stand my ground on?
To sum up this hindrance to real rest, CHOOSE BATTLES that do not distract me from the mission God gave me, but instead they lift up God’s mission for me. FIGHT BATTLES in a way that does not damage my relationship with God.