What I See I Am
"HE MAKETH ME TO LIE DOWN IN GREEN PASTURES"
"HE MAKETH ME", This is an excellent representation of our relationship to God. We feel we have free choice, and in certain areas we do. God, however, is still in charge, absolute no doubt. God does not let us decide if we shall "lie down", God makes us lie down we do not chose this one.
God, making us lie down puts us in the most vulnerable position a human can be in. We are most defenseless while in that position. The point is we do not provide our protection, God does. It is God's choice that we lie in green pastures, not ours.
God is saying that we have all of the protection necessary if we just accept it. Repeating the Twenty Third Psalm with understanding, conviction, action and emotion is our way of telling ourselves God is in charge. Just as the shepherd is in charge of the flock, God is in charge of each of us.
Interesting thing, God already knows who is in charge. We are the ones who need to accept our relationship with God and get it clear.
God makes us lie down in "green pastures". The lushness of a green pasture to a sheep is beyond description. The lushness God has created for our lives is beyond description.
Each of us can think of areas in our lives which we would not describe as lush. Here is where free choice comes in. God "makes" us lie down in green pastures (a life of lushness). We define where and what and how green we chose to perceive those pastures. We are the ones who are the "spin doctors" of the green pastures.
God provides absolutely all of the resources we ever need in all circumstances. We chose to use them or not. We chose to become under the influence of others, money, intoxicants, food, etc. God provides all that we chose, the green pastures.
Interesting that God (in my estimation) treats his children in the same manner as what in many circles is considered an errant parent (a parent who gives their child everything they ask for),
God gives us all that we ask for. Then we have to be responsible to enjoy for what we ask for. We can have all that we chose but we cannot commit adultery (change it's nature) with what we chose,. We can have and use, but we cannot change the effect. God puts us in "Green Pastures" some think so, others thing not. Either way it is our choice about what we receive and our perception of what our lives are.
"Green Pastures"
When we speak of the free choice God has given man, "Green Pastures" is the example. God makes us lie down. Where does God make us lie down? God makes us lie down in "Green Pastures".
Each of us has a different perception of "Green Pastures". God makes us lie down in whatever perception we have of "Green Pastures".
If your perception is that your "green pastures" is, things come easy, without effort on a gold platter. God serves you things easy without much effort on a gold platter.
If your perception is your "green pastures" is, you must work manually for everything you receive. God will make you work manually for everything you receive.
If your perception is your "green pastures" is, that you have a good life. God will make you lie down in a good life.
If your perception is your "green pastures" is, that you have a tough life full of trouble and strife. God will make you lie down in a tough life full of strife.
What ever your perception of your "green pastures" is, God will lovingly provide. We determine what our "green pastures" are, God makes us lie down in them.
Perception is not built on statements of want. Perception is built on faith confidence and belief. We each have faith confidence and belief in our present way of life ("green pastures.") or we would not be living it.
To change our perception of life (faith confidence and belief) we need to define what we want, describe it in detail, then have an attitude of gratitude to God for it. All of the time acting and thinking as if we have achieved that result
To the extent that we do not share our "Green Pastures" (faith confidence and belief) now with others, to that same extent we should not share our new "Green Pastures" (faith confidence and belief) . They (faith confidence and belief) will be know by our works. The caution is given not because if you share it doesn't work. The caution is given because if you share others will tear into your green pastures just like they do if you share your present faith confidence and belief.
We all think that we have the best way. The surprising thing about that is, we do each have the best way. We get in trouble when we think our way is best for others or even worse thinking others way is best for us. Each of us has our own way provided by God.
The Twenty Third Psalm
The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
He
leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul:
He leadeth me in the paths
of righteousness for His name' sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil:
For thou art with me;
Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table
before me in the presence of mine enemies;
Thou annointest my head with oil; My cup
runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell
in the House of the Lord forever.
What I see I Am
Copyright Ronald O. Masters II, 2010 All Rights Reserved Copying is permitted if the author is credited.
