Restoration of the Soul

The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside still waters; He restores my soul. Psalm 23

Perhaps the most loved scripture, and certainly the most quoted, is found in the book of Psalms. Sometimes referred to as the Shepherd’s Psalm, chapter 23 takes us through the beauty, the perils, and the rewards of a life well-lived. Green pastures, still waters, protection even in the valley of death…but perhaps most importantly, we learn of the restoration of the soul - the aspect of man that is most reflective of God.

The Chosen People learned of the importance of "restoring the soul" when God gave them the ten "absolutes" that would cover their journey, not only in the wilderness but their lives in the Promised Land. Third on the list, after the commandments to worship and revere the God of Israel, was the admonition to remember the Sabbath—a day dedicated to God, a day of rest and recovery, a day to be restored.

Harold Kushner, in his book The Lord Is My Shepherd, wrote of the assurance his family received during times of personal trial and loss: "Those who rest in the Lord will have their strength renewed. They shall mount up with wings like eagles. They shall run and not grow weary…they shall walk and not be faint" (Isaiah 40:31). This is the promise of restoration—not that we will be protected from the hardships of life, but that we will be restored…that we will be overcomers because our restoration does not come from personal strength or the outcomes the world promises, but from God, who renews us, who restores our soul.

"The Lord is the Everlasting God; He created all the world. He never grows tired or weary. No one understands His thoughts. He strengthens those who are weak and tired…Those who trust in the Lord for help will find their strength renewed." Isaiah 40:28-31.

Jesus understood our need for restoration. He, Who is God and Man, invites us to come. "Come, all you who labor and are heavy laden. I will give you rest." Come, you who are burdened with the pain and trials of the world; Come, you who are confused and discouraged, who are weary of the answers the world provides. Come, and you will run and not be weary; you will walk and not grow faint. You will rise on wings like eagles.

This is restoration. The opportunity to rise.