I am continuing in the series, "The Way of the Shepherd," from Psalm 23.  Last week I talked about the responsibilities of the shepherd.  This week I want to share on the Peace Producing Properties of the Shepherd!  God has a way of keeping us in perfect peace when we stay focused on him!  (Isaiah 26:3)   

 

In Psalm 23 David likened his relationship with his flock to that of his relationship with the Lord.  He called the Lord his Shepherd.  In verses 2 & 3 he describes ways in which the Lord causes us to have peace.  In these verses we see four verbs that let us know God's process for producing peace in us:

 

Last week I talked about:

1.  He maketh us to lie down in green pastures.-John 10:9-11
2.  He leadeth us beside still waters.-Isaiah 55:1-2, John 4:13-14

This week let's look at:
3.  He restoreth our souls.

Restore-repair, reinstate, refurbish, to return something to its proper place or state.  To bring something back to an earlier and better condition.  To reestablish what once was.  He restoreth my soul. Literally he causes my life to return.  He quickens me or causes me to live. The word soul here means life, or spirit, and not the soul in the strict sense in which the term is now used. It refers to the spirit when exhausted, weary, or sad; and the meaning is, that God quickens or vivifies the spirit when thus exhausted. The reference is not to the soul as wandering or backsliding from God, but to the life or spirit as exhausted, wearied, troubled, anxious, worn down with care and toil. The heart, thus exhausted, He re-animates. He brings back its vigor. He encourages it; excites it to new effort; fills it with new joy.
 
4.  He leads us in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake.

A careless shepherd might lead his sheep over steep & dangerous paths where they could fall. But a caring shepherd leads his sheep over paths that are safe.
The Bible clearly teaches that there are 2 paths we can take. One leads to destruction, & Satan tries to lead us along that path. It is such a broad & smooth road. It often seems like the logical way to go.

The other is the path of righteousness that leads to the glory that God is preparing for us. Sometimes this way is narrow & difficult & filled with obstacles. But the good Shepherd knows which way His sheep are to go, & He leads them on that path of righteousness.
Matthew 6:33
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.  KJV  What things?  Your basic needs!
He leads us in right paths, or right ways. He conducts me in the straight path that leads to Himself; He does not permit me to wander in ways that would lead to ruin.

 

This series is currently airing on: The CW Baltimore

Channel 54 WNUV!