Lie down in green pastures

Psalm 23:2 (ESV)

He makes me lie down in green pastures.

He leads me beside still waters.

It started out with a simple CT scan that showed a small nodule on my thyroid.  From there came another CT scan that showed the nodule was still there. After the doctor’s evaluation the CT scan she said that the nodule was bigger than she thought and recommended a needle biopsy. After multiple tests on the biopsy we decided to have my thyroid taken out.  Much to our surprise the pathology report came back with two kinds of cancer.  Which lead to a high dose of radioactive iodine treatment.  In prep for the treatment I had to go on a low iodine diet and stop taking my thyroid meds. This sent my body into turmoil.

It is at times like these that the body just wants to rest. It just wants to lie there, drift off to sleep, and awaken to drink some water, in order to keep from becoming dehydrated. But it is in the quiet times, in moments like these, when not being able to do anything but just lie in bed, that we hear God speaking ever so softly, if we listen. In my case, God brought to remembrance David's beloved psalm that was written thousands of years ago and which still rings true to us today.

Psalm 23 (ESV)

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2     He makes me lie down in green pastures.

He leads me beside still waters.

3     He restores my soul.

He leads me in paths of righteousness

    for his name's sake.

4 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.

5 You prepare a table before me

    in the presence of my enemies;

you anoint my head with oil;

    my cup overflows.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

    all the days of my life,

and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord

    forever.

As I laid on the couch in isolation I read those verses. It made me think that lying in bed as I recovered was like God making me to lie down in a green pasture to restore my soul.

Take the time to lay down in green pastures.

Dear Lord, sometimes You make us to lie down in our beds in order to restore our bodies and souls. Thank You for the words of David to remind us. In the Name of Jesus,  Amen.