“He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For
His name’s sake.”—Psalm 23:2-3
Many
people, Christians and non-Christians, are able to recognize today’s Scripture
reading as a portion of the 23 Psalm.
However, no matter how often this much loved psalm is quoted or
repeated, we seem to miss the full impact of its important message: God restores our soul.
There
is only one way that the Lord is able to restore (set our souls right) and that
is through fellowship with Him. Even
though we may stray far from His path at times, He remains, faithfully, the Good
Shepherd. Even when we are inclined to wander,
He receives us back and is always willing to pardon the wayward sheep.
Most
people do not make a conscious decision to abandon their Heavenly Father. Abandonment usually happens more cunningly,
as a result of wandering desires and selfish attempts to meet our own needs. When we strive to gain comfort and safety
apart from God, we stray further and further from Him.
Jesus gives to us a beautiful picture of the type of reception that awaits a
“lost sheep” in Luke 15:3-7. “So He spoke this parable
to them, saying, ‘What man of you, having a hundred
sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the
wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it?’ And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes
home, he calls together his
friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my
sheep which was lost!’ I say to you that
likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over
ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.”
Notice in these Scriptures that the shepherd does not scold
or punish the rebellious sheep. Instead
of punishment, all of heaven celebrates because what was lost has now been
found. In a similar way, heaven,
rejoices when a wandering child of God returns to the Good Shepherd.
Today, examine your heart and listen to the Good Shepherds
voice. Is He calling you home to Him
today? Have you ranged to far from Him
and need a closer fellowship with Him? Respond
to His voice today and He will restore
your soul.
Prayer—Heavenly Father,
I call out to You today and I ask You to forgive me for going my own way. I repent Lord, and I ask You to restore my
soul to You today, in Jesus Name. Amen.
