Prayer:
Glory be to God in the highest, peace good will toward everyone . Precious Father, thank you for the act of restoration. It is so amazing to know that when we are broken and wounded, you can put us back together. You can restore that which was lost and we can be found. You can restore our hurts and we can be whole. You are the one who can enable us to forgive. Show mercy and bestow grace. You are the restorer of all things and for that we give you praise. For anyone that is hurting at this time, we ask that you reach out your restorative Hands and pour out a healing balm to their souls. Soothe their spirits. Calm their nerves. Bind up the weary and broken pieces and grant them renewal in a mighty way. Revive them. Restore them. Do a powerful work in their lives that only you can do. We give you all glory and honor and praise that is due your holy name. In the mighty, powerful, and saving name of Jesus Christ. Amen
Text: Psalm 23:3, "He refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name's sake." is A Testimony of Sovereignty.
Sheep are not very smart. They have a predictable inclination to lose their way. They can be in a pasture with plenty of grass and adequate water and still wander aimlessly until they have nothing to eat or drink. Once lost they can't find their way back. Many animals seem to have inborn compasses - not so with sheep. Once lost, the shepherd must go and find them.
Spiritually, people are like sheep. Isaiah the prophet wrote, "All we like sheep have gone astray.." (Isa. 53:6). I once saw a cartoon that pictured two sheep grazing in a pasture. One commented to the other, "All we like people have gone stray." Sheep are like people. People are like sheep. Both are easily lost.
We have a profound tendency to desert what is good for us. The grass always looks greener on the other side of the fence. So often we go away from God into sin. There are three wonderful truths in Psalm 23:3 that David testified to:
- The Ministry of the Shepherd - "He restoreth my soul...".
- The Mastery of the Shepherd - "He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness...".
- The Majesty of the Shepherd - "for His name sake".
The Ministry of the Shepherd: "He restoreth my soul..."
We are saved by grace, restored by grace and kept by grace. There are three kinds of sheep that need to be restored to fellowship with the shepherd. The first is the straying sheep who are restored by the rod. The rod us used as protection against the wild animals, but also used as a means to discipline the stubborn sheep (See Hebrews 12:11).
Discipline is more than punishment. It is preventative development. There is a danger in no discipline.
The rod served at least for two purposes. To keep us from danger and to help develop us.
The second is the staff which is sometimes call the shepherd's crook. The hook was just the right size to fit around the neck of a large sheep, or around the body of a little lamb. The shepherd would use the staff to draw sheep to him, guide the sheep or lift a fallen sheep.
The third kind of sheep that need to be restored are the sick sheep. The sick sheep are restored by administering them with the oil. The shepherd would bring his sheep into the fold one at a time calling them by name. He thoroughly examined the sheep for thorns, bruises, scabs and raw places. To bring a healing the shepherd would pour a healing and soothing oil on the sheep. This "oil" speaks to us of the ministry of the Holy Spirit.
The Mastery of the Shepherd: "He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness...."
When He has restored us, He is not finished. He restores us that He might lead us and guide us into the right way once again. Sheep have poor eyesight. They cannot see more than fifteen yards ahead of them so they need to be led. The word "righteousness" is used here in a moral sense. The problem with so many of us is that we stop with restoration, we don't want to go on to righteousness. If we are only restored, we will be right back in the same condition. The wayward sheep who is back where he should be will be in trouble again if he does not immediately begin to follow the shepherd closer than ever. It is important therefore that the sheep stay very close to the shepherd.
The reason for restoration is that there might be a return to righteousness.
With such poor eyesight the sheep must stay close so they can observe the shepherd and listen so they can be obedient. See John 10:27.
The Majesty of the Shepherd: "for His name sake".
He leads us in paths of righteousness for our sake and for His name's sake. The Good Shepherd's name is judged by the behavior, condition and welfare of His sheep. God has connected His name and His glory with the walk and conduct of His people. Only if we walk in paths of righteousness can we uphold the reputation of the Good Shepherd.
A good way to read this Psalm is by asking the question, "What shall I not want?"
I shall not want for:
Rest -- for He makes me to lie down in green pastures.
Peace -- for He leads me beside the still waters.
Forgiveness -- for He restores my soul.
Guidance -- for He leads me in the paths of righteousness.
Companionship -- for you are with me.
Comfort -- for your rod and Thy staff comfort me.
Provision -- for Thou prepare a table before me.
Joy -- You anoint my head with oil and my cup runs over.
Everything in time -- for goodness and mercy shall follow me.
Everything in eternity -- for I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
Note: Respect - Restoration - Righteousness – Reputation
The 23rd Psalm was written by King David. This Psalm is part of a trilogy. Psalm 22 is called a Messianic Psalm. It speaks of Jesus suffering and death (Ps. 22:1). In the 23rd Psalm, Jesus is the Good Shepherd or as David says, "My shepherd" (Ps. 23:1) and in Psalm 24, Jesus is the "King of Glory" (Ps. 24:10). The 22nd Psalm reviews the past, the 23rd is the present and the 24th looks to the future. Now that is the order in which God ministers to us. Jesus died first so that we would have a Savior for our sins. We discover that He is our Savior, Lord, and Good Shepherd, and then some day we will reign with our King of Glory. The 23rd Psalm is special to Christians because it paints a picture of our relationship with Him. If we are not Christians, He is not our shepherd.
Thy Comfort: During times of struggle and danger, Jesus is also there to comfort us with His rod and staff. The meaning of the Hebrew word for "rod," SEBET, and "staff," MISHENA, are very special. The Hebrew word SEBET has the idea of a "stick." It originally referred to a part of a tree. In the Old Testament the "stick" was used to count sheep (Lev. 27:32). It was also used to protect the sheep from other animals. In the book of Proverbs the stick is used for discipline (Prov. 13:24). SEBET has a sense of authority. The Hebrew word MISHENA has the idea of "something to lean on," "trust," "support," or "staff." Together, the two words paint a picture of a strong, protective shepherd whom we can trust. One who not only cares for us but who will protect us. Sheep are stupid animals compared to other creatures. If we are following the shepherd and danger, trouble, and the threat of death come in the form of life's foxes and bears, He is there with His rod and staff. He protects us with His rod and we can trust the leading of His staff. Do you feel like crying out, "baa, baa, baa?" He is listening!
Our Rest: The Psalm transitions to a picture of living with the Shepherd. It is a picture of provision, care and eternal security. It is one of living with the Good Shepherd now and forever. Anointing the head with oil before a meal was an eastern custom. It served as a means of "freshening-up." The spiritual feast starts in this life. He ministers to us by "bathing" us with His Spirit, the fruit of the Spirit, and the gifts of the Holy Spirit. We receive the Shepherd's blessings in this life and continue living with Him forever after this earthly life.
The rod was what he relied on to safeguard both himself and his flock in danger. And it was, furthermore, the instrument he used to discipline and correct any wayward sheep that insisted on wandering away.
...an interesting sidelight on the word "rod" ... the slang term "rod" has been applied to hand-guns such as pistols and revolvers which were carried by cowboys, and other western rangement. The connotation is exactly the same as that used in this Psalm.
There is a second dimension in which the rod is used by the shepherd for the welfare of his sheep -- namely that of discipline. The club is used for this purpose perhaps more than any other.
If the shepherd saw a sheep wandering away from its own, or approaching poisonous weeds, or getting too close to danger of one sort or another, the club would go whistling through the air to send the wayward animal scurrying back to the bunch.
Another interesting use of the rod in the shepherd's hand was to examine and count the sheep. In the terminology of the Old Testament this was referred to as passing "under the rod":
And I will cause you to pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant: (Ezek. 20:37).
This meant not only coming under the owner's control and authority, but also to be subject to his most careful, intimate and firsthand examination. A sheep that passed "under the rod" was one which had been counted and looked over with great care to make sure all was well with it.
Because of their long wool it is not always easy to detect disease, wounds, or defects in sheep. For example at a sheep show an inferiour animal can be clipped and shaped and shown so as to appear a perfect specimen. But the skilled judge will take his rod and part the sheep's wool to determine the condition of the skin, the cleanliness of the fleece and the conformation of the body. In plain language, "One just does not pull the wool over his [judge's] eyes."
In caring for his sheep, the good shepherd, the careful manager, will from time to time make a careful examination of each individual sheep. As each animal comes out of the corral and through the gate, it is stopped by the shepherd's outstretched rod. He opens the fleece with the rod; he runs his skillful hands over the body; he feels for any sign of trouble; he examines the sheep with care to see if all is well. This is a most searching process entailing every intimate detail. It is, too, a comfort to the sheep for only in this way can its hidden problems be laid bare before the shepherd.
Finally the shepherd's rod is an instrument of protection both for himself and his sheep when they are in danger. It is used both as a defense and a deterrent against anything that would attack.
The skilled shepherd uses his rod to drive off predators like coyotes, wolves, cougars or stray dogs. Often it is used to beat the brush discouraging snakes and other creatures from disturbing the flock. In extreme cases, such as David recounted to Saul, the psalmist no doubt used his rod to attack the lion and the bear that came to raid his flocks.
Listen to this…………
Quote:
"Once in Kenya photographing elephants, I was being accompanied by a young Masai herder who carried a club in his hand. We came to the crest of a hill from which we could see a herd of elephants in the thick bush below us. To drive them out into the open we decided to dislodge a boulder and roll it down the slope. As we heaved and pushed against the great rock, a cobra, coiled beneath it, suddenly came into view ready to strike. In a split second the alert shepherd boy lashed out with his club killing the snake on the spot. The weapon had never left his hand, even while we worked on the rock."
Conclusion: The Good Shepherd ministers to His sheep in such an excellent and majestic way that His sheep cannot help but give their love back to Him. 1John 4:19, "We love Him because He first loved us".
Different Version: (NIV)
A psalm of David:
1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths
for his name's sake. 4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, 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 overflows. 6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Word of the Week (# 3) Pardon
1. to excuse or forgive (a person) for (an offence, mistake, etc): to pardon someone; to pardon a fault.
2. forgiveness; allowance
3. (Law)
a. release from punishment for an offence
b. the warrant granting such release
4. (Roman Catholic Church) a Roman Catholic indulgence sentence substitute
5. Also: pardon me or I beg your pardon
a. sorry; excuse me
b. what did you say?
God's Name: God is Jehovah-Rapha: (The Lord that healeth) He restoreth my soul. (Exodus 15:26)
(The above names fit this Psalm perfectly. Note how each name is in this Psalm.)
"Father God, You have so many wonderful Names. May I search out the Scripture and really get to know You by Your Names. Each one has a special meaning and gives me deeper understanding to Who You are. Reveal Your character to me today. Amen."
Question of the week # 3: How does David describe the spiritual necessities provided by the Lord?
Questions:
1). Spiritually speaking, as sheep what should we do when we are lost?
2). Describe the ministry, mastery, and majesty of the Shepherd.
3). What purposes does the rod serve?
4). What do Hebrews 12:11 says?
5). Spiritually, what does the staff means?
6). Name a few "wants" in our life we shall not want.
7). Give another good reason the Rod is good for.
8). This weeks' "word of the week" pardon means what?
9). What do Jehovah-Rapha means?
10). Give a brief summary of "He restore my soul."
11). Read and examine all the previous versions, including chapter three, which one gives more understanding?
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