“He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” Psalm 23:3

Restoration can be defined as the action of returning something to a former owner, place, or condition. In the 23rd Psalm David gives an analogy of a shepherd’s care and protection  for his sheep to our Lord’s loving and protecting care for His beloved children.

Sheep are very docile animals and have a natural tendency to wander; this often places the sheep out of its element, and at that point only a skilled shepherd is able to safely bring it safely back to the flock. Isaiah 53:6 reminds us that “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.”

There are times when we, just like those sheep…wander from the plan of God and find ourselves in circumstances beyond our control; and of course, let me remind you that there is always the archenemy of our souls strategically setting obstacles in our paths to lead us straight into harm’s way. His desire is to disrupt our peace of mind with thoughts of anxiety, fear, discouragement, distrust, and ultimately the destruction of our very souls.

During these times we need restoration and help from our watchful and loving Great Shepherd, Jesus Christ our Lord. Psalm 23:3 states: “He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” 

God is able to come to our rescue when we have lost our way. He restores or brings spiritual life back to our hearts, minds, and souls. Let us look at some examples of God saints who succumbed to various circumstances and needed restoration:

1. David’s account of his sin with Bathsheba, led him to have her husband Uriah the Hittite killed in the heat of the battle – my friends temptation can come when we least expect it, we must always be on guard. But, after David succumbed to the temptation he humbly called unto God for help and restoration- “Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.” Psalms 51:12.
2. The 73rd Psalm depicts the psalmist Asaph, being persuaded to envy the prosperity of the wicked; but God in His goodness, love and amazing grace, the source of  all our strength, brought him back to reality. “When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me; Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.” Psalm 73:16-17.
3. The Apostle Paul gave uplifting words of encouragement to the Church at Corinth, in the midst of their trials, tribulations, and persecution, which appeared far beyond their control… he reminded them that the Spirit of the living God indwelt their weak earthly bodies, and we too can stand fast in the hope that He lives in us and we are strengthened in weakness, kept by His power, and used for His glory. “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;” 2 Corinthians 4:7-9.

And praise God, that somewhere way down deep in our own souls, He reaches beyond the circumstances and brings a peace that passeth all understanding; He miraculously gives us the strength to meet the challenges of each new day in His power and grace. He is able to restore our brokenness and make us whole!  

“Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” Hebrews 13:20-21.

God blessings of abundant peace and love be with us all.