THE RESTORER OF MY SOUL

HE RESTORES MY SOUL; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His Name’s sake – Psalm 23:3

The LORD is the Great Shepherd of our souls – Jehovah-Rohi. He has promised to restore the souls of His sheep, because each sheep is precious in His sight and valuable in His fold. As you follow the Shepherd, He provides Restoration when you’re drained, down or discouraged. He “reboots” your system! The Shepherd orchestrates the events of your life to rescue you from anxiety and perplexity, and usher you into seasons of rest and refreshing that would result in your soul restoration.

Psalm 23 presents a striking imagery of the Shepherd’s care and tenderness. The anatomy of a sheep is such that if it falls over on its side and then onto its back, it is very difficult for it to get up again. It would flail its legs in the air, bleat, and cry. If left in that position, after a few hours on its back, gas begins to collect in its stomach; the stomach hardens, the air passage is cut off, and the sheep will eventually suffocate. Sheep in such a position is said to be “cast down.” A sheep might trip, fall, and be unable to get off its back and die. The watchful shepherd would quickly restore the sheep to its feet again.

The shepherd restores a cast down sheep by soothing it, massaging its legs to restore circulation, gently turning the sheep over, lifting it up, and holding it so it can regain its balance. If for any reason you have been cast down in the midst of the world’s trials, snares, troubles, and struggles, Jehovah-Rohi – Restorer of souls – is the only one who can help you get on your feet again. At just the right moment, when the enemy thinks your situation is hopeless and that it’ all over for you, the Lord will restore your confidence, hope, faith, peace, joy, and strength.

When God “makes you lie down in green pastures,” it’s time to relax in His Presence. When He “leads you beside the still waters,” it's to refresh and restore you. Through His Word and His Spirit, the Shepherd of your soul will persistently bring you into seasons of soul restoration. May you continually hear the Shepherd’s Voice and follow His leading all the way!