Psalms 23:3
He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.
One character of God is that he is a God who restores! To restore means to turn back, to return to a former place or state. Jesus talks about the shepherd who had 100 sheep and one of them got lost. This shepherd because of the love he has for his sheep, leaves the 99 secure and he takes off to find the one that is missing. He will not rest until he finds the one missing and when he finds that lost sheep, he restores it, he brings it back home. Jesus says the shepherd is happier about the one sheep that was lost and is now found more than the 99 that never got lost! Now that’s restoration. It is the same thing that the Father did for the prodigal son.
Not only does the good shepherd restore us, he now leads us in the paths of righteousness for his names sake! The good shepherd gives us purpose and that purpose is connected to his names sake!
I have heard people who say they believe the message of salvation but they do not want to commit because they “know” themselves and they think they will wander off. They believe they do not have the strength to walk on this path of righteousness and they are right because on our own we cannot. What they miss out on is the truth that God the good shepherd does not restore us only to leave us to fend for ourselves. He restores us and then he guides us into the paths of righteousness. Not only does he lead us but he also equips us for the journey. The Holy Spirit is with us never to leave us nor forsake us. He is our helper, our strength and guide.
The most important thing we need to remember is that it is for HIS names sake! It is all about the good shepherd and that is why whatever we do we do as unto the Lord!
Whatever we do we must learn to put complete trust in the Lord because how can he lead us if we do not trust him? He has a good plan for us and the more we walk with him the more we will see this as we experience his faithfulness especially when the road ahead seems so bleak and things do not make sense.
Reflections.
What is the one thing you would love for God to restore in your life?
Would you still trust in Him even when it seems like that thing will not be restored?
How does the Lord lead you in the paths of righteousness?
