Wednesday - October 22, 2008

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Psalm 23



The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,

he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.

Even 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.

You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.

Surely goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.


Psalm 119:169-176


May my cry come before you, O LORD;
give me understanding according to your word.

May my supplication come before you;
deliver me according to your promise.

May my lips overflow with praise,
for you teach me your decrees.

May my tongue sing of your word,
for all your commands are righteous.

May your hand be ready to help me,
for I have chosen your precepts.

I long for your salvation, O LORD,
and your law is my delight.

Let me live that I may praise you,
and may your laws sustain me.

I have strayed like a lost sheep.
Seek your servant,
for I have not forgotten your commands.


(NIV)
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The Restoration of the Sheep

by
Tim Trumper


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He restores my soul. (Psalm 23:3a NKJV)

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Sheep find trouble easily. Some roll over and can't get up. Birds of
prey swoop down and pluck out their eyes or burrow into their sides
and claw out their vital organs. Others stretch for one too many
tufts of grass and down the precipice they go. Still others stray off
the path and lose sight of the shepherd.


Christians, like sheep, get into all sorts of difficulties. David is
not so much thinking of the trials that come our way but of the
impact of the sinful decisions we make. By them we become prey for
the evil one and wander out of God's established way. In the process
we endanger our souls and rob our lives of the joy of being in the
center of the Lord's will.


We can no more restore ourselves than can an upside down sheep. It
takes the Lord to rescue us. Our restoration begins when we confess
our disobedience. Elsewhere David illustrates the sort of genuine
confession that pleases the Lord: "I have gone astray like a lost
sheep: Seek your servant, for I do not forget your commandments"
(Psalm 119:176). Let this be our confession too. Let's not delay, for
the longer we wait, the harder becomes our confession.



Lord, awaken me to the first signs of wandering, and restore my soul I
pray. Amen.