Day 2 - Week 88 - Psalm 23:3 "He restoreth my soul; he leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake."

Our Shepherd...what do we know of Him so far? 

• He fulfills all our needs
• He brings us to places of comfort
• He restores our souls

And now we are told that He leads us in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake.  Up to this statement, our Shepherd's actions on our behalf have been easy to understand.  But what does this statement mean to you?

When I ponder on these words, it makes me so thankful for my Good Shepherd and His good leading.  My Shepherd will lead me in paths that are pleasing to Him...paths of good works, paths of showing love and compassion to others, paths of selflessness, paths of worship and praise to Him, paths of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  These are the paths where He leads me.  If I find myself on any path of opposite characteristics, I can be assured that I did not get there by His guidance, but by way of my leaving His leading.

And when I walk along paths of righteousness, He will receive all the glory, for I have no credit for being there...it has always been because of Him.  HE is the reason for any good in my life, for He has led me there. 

He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake.

 

Day 1 - Week 88 - Psalm 23:3

Here we are - another week - Week 88 in fact!

Before going any further, we must review.  I'm afraid I haven't reviewed for a few weeks, so we probably really need it!

Faith: Trusting God and Resting in His Word (12)
Ephesians 2:8 "For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God's gift."
Ephesians 2:9 "Not by works, so that no one can boast."
Ephesians 2:10 "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
Galatians 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ; and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."
Colossians 3:15 "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful."
Colossians 3:16 "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns
and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God."
Colossians 3:17 "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
Romans 1:16 "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is God's power for salvation to everyone who believe, to the Jew first and also to the Greek."
Romans 1:17 "For in it God's righteousness is revealed from faith to faith, just as it is written: The righteous will live by faith."
Psalm 56:3 "When I am afraid, I will trust in You."
2 Chronicles 16:9 "The eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him."
Hebrews 11:6 "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."

The Great Commission (4)
Matthew 28:18 "Then Jesus came near and said to them, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth."
Matthew 28:19 "Go, therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."
Matthew 28:20 "Teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

Psalm 23
Psalm 23:1  "The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want."
Psalm 23:2  "He maketh me lie down in green pastures, He leadeth me beside the still waters."

Can you say the next verse?  It maybe my favorite verse of the chapter.

"He restoreth my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His Name's sake."

I don't know about you, but I need to know that my Shepherd can restore my soul, for there have been times when I have need of soul restoration.  The Hebrew word used in our verse is "shuwb" and it means "to bring back, refresh, restore."  My Shepherd knows me, and knows my soul, and truly knows what my soul needs.  And when it needs restoring, He is the One, and the only One, that is able to do just that.

He brings me back, He refreshes my inner being and He restores my soul to the sense of peace that only His presence brings.  Apart from my Shepherd, I am lost and troubled.  But in His care, I am truly restored and absolutely at peace.

He restoreth my soul.