"He makes me lie down in green pastures and leads me beside still waters".  I like that verse from Psalm 23.  There is something about the whole notion of God "making" us lie down in green pastures.  If one were not careful you might think that God is placing his hands on our shoulders, forcing us down and saying, "There you go, green pastures.  Now lie down and enjoy it".  It almost sounds like something I have told my confirmation students when going on a retreat.  I would lay out the expectations like: "No hitting", "Listen to your leaders", "Do not bring cell phones", etc.  But my last one would always be "Have fun".  That is easy to say but try telling that to a confirmation student giving up their Friday night for their pastor.

When God "makes us lie down in green pastures" there is no force but rather a response to what God has done.  When you see beautiful fireworks you may say "Ooo", "Aaaah" and not even think about it.  When we bask in the glow of God’s glory and experience the comfort and guidance that only God can provide, our response is to fall back and "lie down" in God’s arms.  Nothing can touch us.  God does not force us or "make us" lie down, but how can we not when we see who God really is. –Pastor E–