Old cars, antique furniture, historic buildings, ancient works of art, and even broken relationships. What once was considered worthless, hopeless, and perhaps beyond recognition can be restored, repaired, rebuilt, refurbished, and returned to its former state … or better.
Psalm 23:3 says, “He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.” So, why would we sheep, whose every need is met by the shepherd, need restored? Because, each of us was born with a sin nature. Our ideal relationship with God was damaged once sin entered the world. And once again, our Shepherd stepped up to meet our need. By dying for our sin, Jesus paid the price and took on our punishment. He made a way for us sheep to have a restored relationship with the Father/Shepherd.
But still being sheep, we tend to wander off, think we have a better plan, and doubt His goodness. Not having the best sense of direction, we usually head straight for trouble. The loving Shepherd, in His mercy, comes to search for us (Matthew 18:12) and if we allow Him, He sets us back on the right path.
Walking with Him, day by day, the Good Shepherd transforms us pathetic humans (sheep) and gradually restores our hearts, souls, and minds. “And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast” (1 Peter 5:10).
See you next Wednesday with Psalm 23, verse 4.
As we continue to look at the 23rd Psalm, we see how a shepherd cares for his sheep. Verse two says, “He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters.” Now if you are a human, that may not mean much, but if you imagine yourself as one of the shepherd’s sheep, it’s a whole, new, woolly story. First, the shepherd ‘makes’ the sheep lie down. Why? Are we too dumb to know that we need to stop what we are doing and take time to rest? Sometimes. So once down, will the flock rest? Only if they feel secure. Sheep are very fearful animals. If they sense danger or feel insecure, they will not rest. And neither do we.
Remember in the movie, The Wizard of Oz, when Dorothy and her friends were terrified to go before the great and powerful Oz? The wizard was a frightening character, loud, angry, and intimidating! Dorothy and her friends, Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Lion, were quaking in their skin, straw, tin, and fur, nearly too petrified to explain their predicament and present their requests.
This morning I was washing one of my favorite bowls, a work of art gifted by a potter, Ms. Dalton, a parent of one of my kindergarten students years ago. Imagining the time and effort it took to form the clay, add intricate details, fire and paint it, and whatever other steps required that I know little of, made me appreciate its beauty even more.
