The Sheep and Shepherd anology 4 He Restoreth my soul
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Recap
Recap
We are continuing our studies in Psalm 23,. It is good to remind ourselves of familiar truths, and what better passage than Psalm 23.
We are continuing our studies in Psalm 23,. It is good to remind ourselves of familiar truths, and what better passage than Psalm 23.
A Psalm of David.
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: He leadeth 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 thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: And I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
There is a shepherd in this life, we are not required to wander aimlessly The Lord is our shepherd He has a number of sheep He has entered a covenant with his sheep such that “I shall not want”
There is a shepherd in this life, we are not required to wander aimlessly The Lord is our shepherd He has a number of sheep He has entered a covenant with his sheep such that “I shall not want”
Because of this we should have:
Because of this we should have:
1. Dependence
1. Dependence
God has made us to be dependent on Him. We are not made to be independent. We are called to live by faith and not by sight, so that we might magnify God’s glory.
God has made us to be dependent on Him. We are not made to be independent. We are called to live by faith and not by sight, so that we might magnify God’s glory.
2. Trust
2. Trust
We can trust because he knows us, he saved us and has given his life for us
We can trust because he knows us, he saved us and has given his life for us
He manages us, leads us and will bring us back if we go astray.
He manages us, leads us and will bring us back if we go astray.
3. Security
3. Security
We are in safe hands.
We are in safe hands.
John 10:28
John 10:28
28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
We are safe standing on the rock of ages.
We are safe standing on the rock of ages.
Philippians 4:19
Philippians 4:19
19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Verse 2 looks back on verse 1 about rest.
Verse 2 looks back on verse 1 about rest.
4. Rest
4. Rest
We don’t have to establish our own test. We don’t have to work for our own salvation. The shepherd has done this for us.
We don’t have to establish our own test. We don’t have to work for our own salvation. The shepherd has done this for us.
Jesus himself is our righteousness. Therefore we can receive salvation with joy.
Jesus himself is our righteousness. Therefore we can receive salvation with joy.
5. Preparation
5. Preparation
When in a time of peace we can use these times wisely.
When in a time of peace we can use these times wisely.
Joshua 1:8
Joshua 1:8
8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
6. Rumination
6. Rumination
As a sheep regurgitates its food for further digestion, the word of God should be something we think of.
As a sheep regurgitates its food for further digestion, the word of God should be something we think of.
Meditation aids our appreciation, understanding and application of God’s word.
Meditation aids our appreciation, understanding and application of God’s word.
7. Restoration
7. Restoration
Psalm 23:3
3 He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Now we’ll look closer at the first part of verse 3: “He restores my soul”
Now we’ll look closer at the first part of verse 3: “He restores my soul”
What is going on here, and what does this mean?
What is going on here, and what does this mean?
Explanation
Explanation
If restoration is needed then things are not as they ought to be.
If restoration is needed then things are not as they ought to be.
There are many things people get excited about today and spend their time on. During lockdown we have been watching TV, which reflects what society is interested in.
There are many things people get excited about today and spend their time on. During lockdown we have been watching TV, which reflects what society is interested in.
There’s currently lots of TV on restoration: historic castles, junk and antiques to restore. People want to see things restored to their former glory.
There’s currently lots of TV on restoration: historic castles, junk and antiques to restore. People want to see things restored to their former glory.
The need for restoration
The need for restoration
But why do things need restoring?
But why do things need restoring?
They get into this state because:
They get into this state because:
of a disaster or tragedy: maybe weather or war wear and tear: for instance, metal might have rusted or worn out
of a disaster or tragedy: maybe weather or war wear and tear: for instance, metal might have rusted or worn out
We too are in need of restoration for the same reasons. Psalm 23:3 says “He restores our soul”.
We too are in need of restoration for the same reasons. Psalm 23:3 says “He restores our soul”.
Let’s have a look at why we need this, and How He restores us.
Let’s have a look at why we need this, and How He restores us.
A. We need restoring: because of a tragedy
A. We need restoring: because of a tragedy
We have experienced a tragedy: the fall.
We have experienced a tragedy: the fall.
This happened when Adam and Eve disobeyed God.
This happened when Adam and Eve disobeyed God.
Romans 5:12
Romans 5:12
12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
It wasn’t just Adam’s sin, but the rebellion spread.
It wasn’t just Adam’s sin, but the rebellion spread.
We confirm this on a daily basis because we sin.
We confirm this on a daily basis because we sin.
This is the great tragedy – the consequence of Adam’s “original sin”
This is the great tragedy – the consequence of Adam’s “original sin”
The curses in Genesis 3:14-19 lay out the consequences:
The curses in Genesis 3:14-19 lay out the consequences:
14 And the Lord God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life:
15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
16 Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.
17 And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;
18 Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;
19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.
There are broken relations with God.
There are broken relations with God.
We are hurting because of sin.
We are hurting because of sin.
There are broken relations with each other because sin is in us.
There are broken relations with each other because sin is in us.
There’s a broken ability for us to resist evil.
There’s a broken ability for us to resist evil.
We’re inclined to do wrong.
We’re inclined to do wrong.
There’s a broken world we live in and broken bodies we die in.
There’s a broken world we live in and broken bodies we die in.
This is why we need restoration and why the shepherd needs to help us.
This is why we need restoration and why the shepherd needs to help us.
When He reconciles us He restores these things.
When He reconciles us He restores these things.
B. He restores our soul: after the tragedy
B. He restores our soul: after the tragedy
He gives us a heart “after which things are good”
He gives us a heart “after which things are good”
Ezekiel 36:26
Ezekiel 36:26
26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
He restores our bodies through the promise of Resurrection.
He restores our bodies through the promise of Resurrection.
While the resurrection has been completed, these promises are not completely fulfilled.
While the resurrection has been completed, these promises are not completely fulfilled.
The process has begun. There is a down payment for what is to come.
The process has begun. There is a down payment for what is to come.
C. We need restoring: because of wear and tear due to time and conditions
C. We need restoring: because of wear and tear due to time and conditions
Even when initial restoration is complete, rot and rust still occur.
Even when initial restoration is complete, rot and rust still occur.
Our lives are fraught with difficulty and we feel sadness, loss, pain and trials of various kinds.
Our lives are fraught with difficulty and we feel sadness, loss, pain and trials of various kinds.
D. He restores our soul: from our wear and tear
D. He restores our soul: from our wear and tear
1 John 1:9
1 John 1:9
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
This restoration of us is not just a one-off process, but is ongoing.
This restoration of us is not just a one-off process, but is ongoing.
The first part addresses the tragedy,
The first part addresses the tragedy,
The second part the wear and tear.
The second part the wear and tear.
This is why we’re taught to forgive others.
This is why we’re taught to forgive others.
Even though everything else has changed we’re still inclined to go back.
Even though everything else has changed we’re still inclined to go back.
2 Peter 2:22
2 Peter 2:22
22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.
Application
Application
We’ll look at three words:
We’ll look at three words:
Potential Purpose Possibilities
Potential Purpose Possibilities
Potential
Potential
The shepherd doesn’t look at what the sheep are currently, but their potential.
The shepherd doesn’t look at what the sheep are currently, but their potential.
Even though we were born in sin and weakness; even though we are just dust, with an inclination to sin; He looks past this.
Even though we were born in sin and weakness; even though we are just dust, with an inclination to sin; He looks past this.
He knows about wear and tear. If we have sinned, or been sinned against.
He knows about wear and tear. If we have sinned, or been sinned against.
He knows we will continue to fail until we enter heaven.
He knows we will continue to fail until we enter heaven.
Yet when the Lord looks on a sheep he doesn’t see what we are, but what we could become.
Yet when the Lord looks on a sheep he doesn’t see what we are, but what we could become.
As the 70’s song goes:
As the 70’s song goes:
“Something beautiful, something good, all my confusion He understood.
“Something beautiful, something good, all my confusion He understood.
All I had to offer him was brokenness and strife, but he has something beautiful planned for my life”
All I had to offer him was brokenness and strife, but he has something beautiful planned for my life”
This gives us purpose.
This gives us purpose.
Purpose
Purpose
Why do I exist? What is the purpose of my life and the significance of it.
Why do I exist? What is the purpose of my life and the significance of it.
If these things are left unanswered it’s a recipe for mental health issues.
If these things are left unanswered it’s a recipe for mental health issues.
The answer is simple: our existence is to give glory and honour to God.
The answer is simple: our existence is to give glory and honour to God.
One of our great quests of life is to generally glorify God through our faith, but also to fulfil God’s specific plan for each of us.
One of our great quests of life is to generally glorify God through our faith, but also to fulfil God’s specific plan for each of us.
When He becomes our shepherd He injects purpose into our lives.
When He becomes our shepherd He injects purpose into our lives.
Possibilities
Possibilities
Stuck as a slave to sin we have limited possibilities. He gives us the power to change.
Stuck as a slave to sin we have limited possibilities. He gives us the power to change.
He also doesn’t permit us to remain as we are, and we also desire to move on.
He also doesn’t permit us to remain as we are, and we also desire to move on.
As we rely and trust in him we gradually move away from sin and to become better Christians.
As we rely and trust in him we gradually move away from sin and to become better Christians.
When our guard is down we revert. It’s our greatest desire to overcome these sins, but this isn’t enough: it’s the Lord who restores to us the power to change and overcome.
When our guard is down we revert. It’s our greatest desire to overcome these sins, but this isn’t enough: it’s the Lord who restores to us the power to change and overcome.
What was not thought possible now looks achievable.
What was not thought possible now looks achievable.
2 Corinthians 5:17
2 Corinthians 5:17
17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Sheep farming in the South Island of New Zealand
Sheep farming in the South Island of New Zealand
On the South Island, everyone is either: a farmer, married to one, or supporting one.
On the South Island, everyone is either: a farmer, married to one, or supporting one.
There’s a diverse bunch of farm and crop types: sheep, beef, crops, dairy.
There’s a diverse bunch of farm and crop types: sheep, beef, crops, dairy.
At the top of the plains are the foothills.
At the top of the plains are the foothills.
It’s hard hill country.
It’s hard hill country.
There are severe winters and tough conditions.
There are severe winters and tough conditions.
Many sheep grow up in these conditions.
Many sheep grow up in these conditions.
At about 5 years of age the sheep are sold.
At about 5 years of age the sheep are sold.
A flat land farmer will then receive those sheep.
A flat land farmer will then receive those sheep.
They would be skinny and look like they’d endured a tragic event.
They would be skinny and look like they’d endured a tragic event.
But the nice conditions of the plains would make the sheep fat and healthy again.
But the nice conditions of the plains would make the sheep fat and healthy again.
The change of environment makes all the difference.
The change of environment makes all the difference.
So it is with us as people.
So it is with us as people.
All of us have experienced tragedy.
All of us have experienced tragedy.
The world is not a great place sometimes.
The world is not a great place sometimes.
But when we submit to the shepherd’s care we grow and become productive.
But when we submit to the shepherd’s care we grow and become productive.
We become members of the church of Jesus
We become members of the church of Jesus
1 Peter 1:3
1 Peter 1:3
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
Being “born again” is overcoming the tragedy.
Being “born again” is overcoming the tragedy.
We are to become a living hope for each other and the world.
We are to become a living hope for each other and the world.
This will release our potential and give us a purpose in life.
This will release our potential and give us a purpose in life.
Praise be to Him who has caused us to be born again to a living hope and resurrection from the dead.
Praise be to Him who has caused us to be born again to a living hope and resurrection from the dead.