Focus: My Shepherd Restores

Text: Ps.23:3

"He restoreth my soul…"

It is a thing of joy to know that God, who made the universe, is my personal Shepherd. He knows me intimately - in and out. He knows my flaws, my flops, my frailties, and my failures. He knows my proclivities, inadequacies, my inabilities, and my iniquities. He identifies my needs and has all it takes to adequately handle or tackle all my issues. He knows all about me; nothing about me is in the dark for Him. In fact, He is not only my shepherd, but also my maker and master.

Our text presents Him as my restorer - the one who restores my soul. The word 'soul' refers to the whole me. He restores my being-ness - my real essence and my whole personality.

The word 'restore' implies a faulty shift, an aberration, a deviation, a derailment, a disruption, a dislocation, a ruin, or a movement in the wrong direction. The Hebrew word used in the Old Testament is translated differently in the King James Version. The common meaning is a return, a restoration, or bringing something back to its original condition. Penitence and pardon are also implied. It means repenting and being forgiven.

When I stray, my shepherd is right there to pick me up and get me back on my feet. He brings me back to where He wants me to be. He restored David when he strayed. He restored Peter and got him back on track. He strengthened him to strengthen his brothers.

My shepherd is a fixer; He fixes me. He puts me back together again. He returns me to Himself and to myself. From my state of mental or spiritual lostness He rescues and cures me. When I seem to be losing my mind or going insane, He steps in and applies the right therapy. He serves as my therapist and psychiatrist.

When I vie off or wander away from myself, He makes me return to myself. When my whole being or personality tends to tear apart and it seems like I've lost my center, He steps in and restores order and harmony. He brings together again the center and circumference of my being. In Ruth we read, "And he shall be unto thee a RESTORER of thy life, and a nourisher of thine old age: for thy daughter in law, which loveth thee, which is better to thee than seven sons, hath born him" (Ruth 4:15). 

My shepherd is my restorer and nourisher. Psalm 19:7 says, "The law of the LORD is perfect, CONVERTING the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple" (Ps.19:7). The word 'converting' is the same as 'restoreth.' Another word used for it is 'rescue.' The Shepherd rescues and converts. He recovers or regains what is lost. He recovers what has been ruined. He provides the remedy for my malady. He reverses in my life anything and everything that has gone awry. He returns me to me and restores my sanity and sanctity. He brings me back to the authentic status quo. He refreshes my entire life.

O sheep of Christ, trust in your shepherd! He will restore your whole life. He will restore your center, and understand that He is your center. He will restore your rhythm and wholeness. He'll realign you with Himself. Your Shepherd is also your physician - your restorer and refresher. You're blessed to have Christ as your Shepherd. You're truly blessed!

by Bishop Moses E. Peter