Psalm 23:3
He refreshes and restores my soul (life); He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
Did you know that it is very difficult for a sheep to get back on its feet if it falls on its back? A sheep with a full fleece has such a wide back that the animal can’t seem to be able to get back on its feet when it falls on its back. Their feet are hanging in the air and because they cannot push them against anything then they will remain there till they get some help from the shepherd or they die depending on the environment or predators.
To restore means to give back something that was lost or taken away and that is exactly what the good shepherd does for us. We were like that sheep that had fallen on its back and we cannot restore ourselves. Interestingly the other sheep cannot restore us either but the good shepherd can and He does so. He restores our soul; He gives us a new life in the place of that which the enemy had stolen. Jesus said I am the way the truth and the life. That life is what He laid down that we may receive it.
The good shepherd understands that we cannot save ourselves and left alone like the sheep that has fallen on its back then we will die. It is good to know that because in our Christian walk we fall on our backs from time to time. I think of Peter and how he denied Jesus three times but the Lord restores him and later we see him preach the first crusade and 3000 people give their lives to Jesus, talk about the power of restoration. Many would have written Peter off but look at what God did.
The good Shepherd restores us and He leads us in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. He says that those who cry out to Him will be saved.
Have you fallen flat on your back and you can’t get up?
Do not be like Judas, do not hide from the good shepherd, Cry out to Him and allow Him to restore your soul, He loves you and He has a good plan for your life.
