The Ten Graces of Psalm 23

We find in this moving and well quoted Psalm recited by convicted criminals and Dying Christians a portion of scripture that is both moving and challenging. I want us to first notice the ten graces that are mentioned in this passage

I shall not want He maketh me to lie down in green pastures He leadeth me beside the still waters He restoreth my soul he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness I will fear no evil: for thou art with me (Your rod and staff they comfort me) Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies thou anointest my head with oil My cup runneth over Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the durely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life

- One in particular I want to dwell on today. Verse 3 He restoreth my soul

To Restore is A verb meaning to turn, to return, to go back, to do again, to change, to withdraw, to bring back, to reestablish, to be returned, to bring back, to take, to restore, to recompense, to answer,

Complete Word Study Dictionary, The - The Complete Word Study Dictionary – New Testament.

Restoration from sin

I'm glad that Jesus is the Great Restorer

He came to seek and to save that which was lost - to bring them back to set them free from the power of sin. They used to sing;

Jim & Me

The story sir, why really, now

I haven’t much to say,

If you had called a year ago,

And then again today;

No need or any word to tell,

For your own eyes could see

Just what our Lord

Has done for us has done for Jim and me.

He used to sneak along the streets

His head was bended low

As if he was afraid to meet the friends we used to know But now he walks with head held high and steps are bold and free

That’s what the Lord has done, has done for Jim and me.

A year ago I hadn’t flour

To make a loaf of bread,

And many a night the little ones

Went hungry to their bed.

Just peep into the closet sir,

There’s sugar and flour and tea

And that is what the Army and the Lord

Has done for Jim and me.

The pail that holds the milk sir,

He used to fill with beer,

He hasn’t spent a cent for beer

For now for nearly a year

He pays his debts, he’s well and strong

He’s kind as can be,

That is what the Army and the Lord

Has done for Jim and Me.

The army’s early costume consisted o

From <http://www.kshs.org/kansapedia/salvation-army-in-kansas/15617>

This morning if you are held captive by the power of sin - there is a greater power in Jesus - he can restore and bring back - The spirit of the Lord etc

Restoration from backsliding

Luke 4:18-19 (KJV)

18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,

19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.

HE DIDN’T THROW THE CLAY AWAY

1)

EMPTY AND BROKEN I CAME BACK TO HIM

A VESSEL UNWORTHY, SO SCARRED WITH SIN

BUT HE DID NOT DESPAIR, HE STARTED OVER AGAIN

AND I BLESS THE DAY HE DIDN’T THROW THE CLAY AWAY

CHORUS

OVER AND OVER HE MOLDS ME AND MAKES ME

INTO HIS LIKENESS, HE FASHIONS THE CLAY

A VESSEL OF HONOR, I AM TODAY

ALL BECAUSE JESUS DIDN’T THROW THE CLAY AWAY

2)

HE IS THE POTTER AND I AM THE CLAY

MOLDED IN HIS IMAGE, HE WANTS ME TO STAY

BUT WHEN I STUMBLE AND I FALL AND MY VESSEL BREAKS

HE JUST PICKS UP THE PIECES, HE DOESN’T THROW THE CLAY AWAY

From <http://www.holiness-preaching.org/Lyrics/H083.html>

Restoration in the valley

Life has a way of wearing us down, and can wreak havoc on our spiritual life It is at these

Times we need a reviving only God can give.

David understood this as he had been there - Ps 42:11 "Why art thou cast down, o my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me?"

The words “cast down” is an old English shepherd’s term for a sheep that was turned on its back and could not get up again by itself. 1. In this case, the sheep needs the shepherd to turn it aright; or it will suffer greatly or even die in a very short time. I'm glad we have a great Shepherd who knows how to restore us One writer gave this depiction; "

"The shepherd steps out of his home and does not look out but looks up.

In the air is a buzzard circling.

A look of fear goes over the shepherds face as he begins to franticly search for a “cast” sheep.

It may take hours but the shepherd continues looking until he finds the cast sheep.

Once the sheep is spotted the shepherd runs to the sheep and begins by rolling the sheep on its side.

The sheep may need help even more and the shepherd lifts the sheep up and straddles the sheep.

This is needed because the sheep has lost equilibrium and cannot stand on there own.

The shepherd does not take time for discipline but rather begins to rub the legs.

While rubbing the shepherd begins to speak to calm the sheep down and soon the sheep begins to take the first step.

First one is a little shaky but soon they regain their balance and they head out to graze once more.

“He restoreth my soul” is this picture."

This morning I'm not sure where you might be on your journey, But I know as humans we often need restoration of some kind from the mighty hand of the Lord. I want to encourage us this morning to just come to Calvary and find his restoration today. Jeremiah bemoaned and questioned, "Is there not a balm in Gilead?" I'm glad to tell you that there is a healing balm, there is restoration for whatever your need is this morning, physical, emotional, spiritual, He is the great restorer.