v.3a He restores my soul.
We all need restoring at times during our lives. Whether it’s because of trauma, sickness, or sin or something else, restoration is needed.
David knew what it was like to be in need of restoration.
“Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God”. Psalm 42:11
“Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!” Psalm 51:1-2
Philip Keller explains…
“A cast sheep is a very pathetic sight. Lying on its back, its feet in the air, it flays away frantically struggling to stand up, without success. sometimes it will bleat a little for help, but generally it lies there, lashing about in frightened frustration. If the owner does not arrive on the scene within a reasonably short time, the sheep will die.”
I can so relate to the pathetic looking sheep. I have been unable to do anything at times, rendered helpless and pathetic, especially in the early days following the accident involving my son. Unless God, the Good Shepherd had come to my aid, I have no idea what would have happened to me. God is working in our lives even when we can’t see, feel or at times experience it. Looking back now, I can see how the Good Shepherd was faithfully working, in spite of me, my struggles and being extremely frightened with death staring me in the face.
The mistake for those of us struggling with challenges, can be that we may think God is going to wave a magic wand and all things will be restored as we want them to be in our time. Whilst God is in the restoration business, these things take time, His time, often a very long time, and ultimately full restoration will only be seen at the second coming of Christ. This doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t be looking expectantly for God to restore us in this life in the ways that He deems right.
v.3b He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
If sheep go off course or are left on land that is overgrazed, this can bring the shepherd into disrepute. It gives the shepherd a bad name. When the Lord leads us in right paths it’s because of His name and His reputation, as well as for our good.
Sheep are led from one area of grazing to another. This produces healthy sheep. Sheep actually like being led to new pasture and get quite excited about it.
We too should enjoy or at least welcome being moved around where God wants us, knowing it is for our good. Yet so often we go our own way, or the ways of others and disaster strikes.
“We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way” Isaiah 53:6
I know that in the depths of my own personal suffering there are times when I want to do things my way. I will wallow in self pity because in a weird sort of way it’s there that I feel comfortable. It’s not long though, before I discover that this is not a good place, and its only when I realise this, can God then lead.
We read in Proverbs 14:12 and 16:25, “there is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.”
In suffering, we sometimes, with the help of others, need to find the right way forward. God will often use someone else to guide us and point us in the right direction.
Keller writes “In a word—there must be a predetermined plan of action, a deliberate, planned rotation from one grazing ground to another in line with right and proper principles of sound management. this is precisely the sort of action and the idea David had in mind when he spoke of being led in paths of righteousness”.
Even when I am feeling at my lowest, I need to trust that the Shepherd who is good, knows what is best for me and will lead me, will guide me, not in destructive ways, but in ways that lead to life. And very often God’s idea of life is very different to our own.
I must confess that I don’t always feel that God is leading and guiding me especially when things are really tough and I feel I cannot cope anymore. However, as I look back over the days, weeks, months and now years, I can see God’s hand upholding us.
Prayer - Dear Lord, thank You that You are the Good Shepherd whom we can trust. Help us to look to You as the source of our help and sustenance even when we are at rock bottom and can’t find a way out. May it be to the glory of Your name. Amen
I am grateful to Phillip Keller for the insight I have gleaned from his book ‘A shepherd looks at Psalm 23’.
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