Renewal and Restoration

1. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. 3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell[a] in the house of the Lord Forever.

Scripture shows that God is a very "hands-on" personal God. The fact that He is so personal distinguishes Him from all the other false gods.

Notice the personal aspect of David's relationship with God as seen in Psalm 23: The Lord is "my" Shepherd--he makes me to lie down-- he leads me --he restores my soul. I count nine verbs in Psalm 23 that show God's activity. God is not asleep on His throne- He is not lying in some hammock in Heaven while the world drifts by unnoticed ! In verse four of the Psalm we find a great statement- "for you are with me." Our God is always present with us-to help, to guide and to comfort. You are never alone.

Psalm 32:8 I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. The Lord cares and He is in a relationship with you and is watching and guiding you along the Christian pathway to a happy, fulfilling abundant life.

Like the traveler in the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), the Devil will beat us up leaving us to die- religion will pass us up, but Jesus loves us and will pick us up. He can and will restore our soul.

If you need some renewal and restoration today, then lie down with your Shepard-rest with him- in the His green pasture and beside His still waters. "28 Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. (Matt. 11:28-29)

Prayer--- Lord, I take great comfort in knowing that the ear of my God hears, the eyes of my God see, and the heart of my God beats for me with love, compassion and concern. You have taken personal responsibility for me and my eternity- I thank you that you care and I confess that you are my Lord and my God. In Jesus name- Amen.

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