Dear Precious Friends,
On this amazing new day, this gift of gifts from God, we are reminded to number our days, live this day as if it were our last, and fill our hearts with wisdom which comes from the Lord, His word, time with Him and time to restore our souls.
Today, I'm sharing this awesome picture of what Psalm 23 looks like in verse 3..."He restores my soul." How can our souls be restored? The focus is on God's work in our lives. We cannot restore ourselves, but must be restored by God.
The context of Psalm 23 is one in which David recognizes God as his shepherd or caretaker. Because God watches over him, he does not find himself in need of anything. All of his needs are met. He can rest in green pastures, beside still waters (v. 2). His paths are righteousness (v. 3), even though he walks through the valley of the shadow of death (v. 4).
The last portion of Psalm 23 shifts to a different scenario, one in which David sits at a table among his enemies, likely at a royal banquet. In this word picture, David has no fear of his enemies, he is anointed (set apart as special), and his cup overflows (meaning he has plenty to drink). He feels blessed with goodness and mercy and will live in God's house forever (v. 6).
A look at the entire Psalm provides three principles for "restoring my soul." These include rest, reflection, and replenishment. David appears to be at rest when he composed this Psalm. This was not a song to prepare for battle or celebrate a holy day, but rather to enjoy a time of relaxation in God's presence.
When we rest in the Lord, our soul can be restored as David's was because he looked at life from God's perspective. He felt protected, safe, and secure under the leadership of God.
His restoration included replenishment. Both rest and reflection led to a renewed vigor to live for God. This replenishment also included an anticipation to be with God forever in the future
With this perspective on life, David could live with a restored soul, prepared for the problems of the day. He knew God was with him, cared for him, and would never leave his side. There was no battle too big for him to face with God in his life.
The same is true in our own lives. If we wish to see God restore our soul, we need to make time to rest, reflect, and replenish. We cannot expect to live with a fresh sense of God's presence in our lives if we constantly rush from one issue to the next. To be restored takes time, focused on God and His greatness, to renew us with hope and joy regarding this life and anticipation for eternity.
Here is a great reminder of how to restore our souls:
"SIT QUIETLY IN MY PRESENCE WHILE I BLESS YOU. MAKE YOUR MIND LIKE A STILL POOL OF WATER, READY TO RECEIVE WHATEVER THOUGHTS I DROP INTO IT. REST IN MY SUFFICIENCY, AS YOU CONSIDER THE CHALLENGES THIS DAY PRESENTS. DO NOT WEAR YOURSELF OUT BY WORRYING ABOUT WHETHER YOU CAN COPE WITH THE PRESSURES. KEEP LOOKING TO ME AND COMMUNICATING WITH ME, AS WE WALK THROUGH THIS DAY TOGTHER.
TAKE TIME TO REST BY THE WAYSIDE, FOR I AM OT IN A HURRY. A LEISURELY PACE ACCOMPLISHES MORE THAN HURRIED STRIVING. WHEN YOU RUSH, YOU FORGET WHO YOU ARE AND WHOSE YOU ARE. REMEMBER THAT YOU ARE ROYALTY IN MY KINGDOM:.
Praying you have time to be restored in the Lord.
I'm grateful for each of you.
Amen!
