"He restores my soul." He brings dried out souls to life. He gives nutrients for growth. He gives rest for the weary and hope for the hopeless and comfort for the grieving, and sweetness for those embittered.
But David shows in this wonderful Psalm that God provides guidance to righteousness. Ultimately the naked soul of sinful man needs covering. We need righteousness. St. Paul taught:
"for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." Rom. 14.17
Righteousness is that essential goodness, wholeness, and perfection which the soul desires. In the face of our own sin, though, the soul is frustrated. We try to produce our own righteousness to fill this basic human need. We call it religion. But it never produces the joy of the soul because ultimately we are unable to keep the rules of our own religion. When we come to that sort of poverty of spirit, though, Jesus says we are blessed. We are blessed because when we give up on religion, we are then ready to receive Him. Paul teaches:
Advertisement
"But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for as wisdom from God-and righteousness and sanctification and redemption" 1 Cor. 1.30
I invite each of you tonight to receive the righteousness of Jesus Christ, if you have never done so, by turning to Him by faith. By confessing that you are spiritually bankrupt. To confess that you are thirsty for righteousness which you cannot manufacture, and to confess Jesus as the righteousness of God, is to begin to be filled, to have your soul's thirst quenched.
He restores our souls. He leads us into paths of righteousness.
God meets physical and spiritual needs for those sojourning through this life. But, what good is that if that is all there is? But there is more.
HE PROVIDES FOR OUR ETERNAL NEEDS
"Yea, those 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 runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the day of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."
David faced what each of us face: the dark shadow of death. The valleys of life that feel like death. The mystery of evil in the presence of a good and sovereign God. The unpredictable twists and turns of the pathways of life. The prospect that one day we will die. But David in this Psalm is proclaiming a God who is a Good Shepherd; a Good Shepherd who guides us with the rod and the staff into comfort. A Good Shepherd who will stand up for His sheep even in the presence of an Accuser, an enemy. A Good Shepherd who will anoint, that is heal our wounds.
