Psalm 23:3

A common misconception held in regards to the Human race is that we, like all the other species of the animal kingdom, are two part beings (i.e. body, and soul).  The truth is, however, that we are not part of the animal kingdom; and we as mankind were created specially in God’s image, making us three part beings (i.e. Body, Soul, and Spirit).

“Isn’t the soul and the spirit the same thing?” You might ask

No

The Bible clearly states in the Hebrew that the soul is not the same as the spirit.  The spirit is that within us that will move on into eternity; it’s the character image of God that is imparted unto us and shaped into His likeness while here on earth.  The soul, on the other hand, is the combination of the thoughts we think and the emotions we feel, knit into our makeup by God as tools He uses to shape our spirits to be as His own.  “Nephesh”-the Hebrew word for “soul” speaks of the mind and heart, the source of thinking and feeling.  A vital area within a person’s being, but not the inner being itself.

So what exactly is David trying to say as he pens the words, “He restores my soul…”?

He’s telling us that the Shepherd cares about what we as His sheep think, and He’s intimately concerned with how His sheep feel.  He desires to “restore”-or literally translated, “to turn around, or bring back” the peace of mind that He originally designed for us to enjoy while in relationship with Him.  He wants to turn around the misdirected thoughts and emotions that are negatively affecting our spirit, leading us out of the pain of the present problem, and into the assurance of His promised paradise.  The dilemma is that sometimes, like sheep, we get spooked easily.  Sheep have this strange tendency to panic when fearful (sound familiar?)Due to the panic they become unsettled and take off away from the Shepherd, leading them into unnecessary hurt, pain, and injury.   

Our thoughts and emotions can be a tricky area.  As Jeremiah the prophet said, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9)  Directly following those words the Lord replies, “I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind”.  You see, Our Shepherd sees the inner workings of our heart and mind.  Not only is He capable to diagnose our heart conditions, He is also perfectly able to restore and remedy those things which often lead to our breaking down and giving up.  There isn’t one person on this green earth that hasn’t experienced a time where they got depressed, disappointed, and disillusioned to some degree.  It happens so easily, and make no mistake, its not a “walk in the park” to snap out of it.  This is why David reminds us that the answer isn’t a self help book, positive thinking methods, or even Yoga positions…the answer is not in our ability, the answer is in the Lord.  For we too are like sheep, we get psyched out by the emotions which are triggered by our thoughts.  In effect we derail, falling out of step with the Shepherd, endangering our own lives, and sometimes the lives of those who are following us.

Who is it that reminds, returns, and refocuses our soul to where it needs to be? 

The good Shepherd…Jesus. 

How does He do it?

Psalm 51, another psalm where David speaks of the Shepherd Illustration helps us understand this secret. 

“Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Your loving kindness, according to the multitude of Your tender mercies…Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, and in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom…Make me hear Joy and gladness, that the bones You have broken may rejoice.”

Psalm 51:1, 6, 8

When sheep get scared they scatter, inevitably leading to a harmful predicament.  Straying sheep often means injured sheep…maybe even dead sheep.  That’s not what the good Shepherd wants when it comes to the sheep He loves. 

So what does a loving, kind, merciful, tender Shepherd do to keep scared sheep from scattering? 

He breaks their leg. 

Calm down…I know your probably thinking, “How is breaking the leg of the one you love “kind, merciful, and tender”?

Before you begin questioning the love of the Shepherd, take a closer look at the result of His actions.   In ancient times, when a certain lamb developed the bad habit of consistently straying away from the Shepherd and endangering its life, the Shepherd would take the baby sheep that strayed and break one of its legs.  He then would masterfully set the broken leg, lifting the lamb onto His able shoulders, carrying it until the leg had healed.  During that time of close intimacy with the Shepherd that lamb would witness up close and personal the loving strength day by day as it simply rested upon the strong shoulders of the Shepherd to carry it through.  Eventually when the lamb was able to bear its own wieght again it has become only natural to remain, draw near, and abide with the Shepherd. 

Perhaps you might think, “That’s well and good for lambs Dan, but i’m no lamb…i’m not even a spring chicken!  I’ve been in this pasture so long, so set in my ways that I can’t possibly heal from a broken bone…much less have my old, overwieght body hauled around by the Shepherd.  If that’s you take heart.  The Lord is mighty and capable, “a thousand years are as a day, and a day a thousand years to the Lord” It doesn’t matter if you’ve been around for 80 years and you feel like God is breaking you down and carrying you through, your still a babe to the Lord.  Heck, He’s been around before Day 1 was measured out and listed as Day 1.  Your just a babe in His arms, He can carry you, He will carry you, If you just let Him.

The Shepherd desires that His sheep would know completely the truth of his love, kindness, and mercy no matter the situation or circumstance.  So when thunder claps, or the wolf howls, or the wind blows a little harder than what the sheep might feel comfortable with, the presence of the Shepherd speaks assurance and security to the easily rattled sheep, and so it is for you and me. 

When emotions tempt us to worry and whine, and we begin to feel as though life is bearing it’s fangs at us, we need not fear.  Instead, in those times we must remember how the good Shepherd has carried us with His strength. 

Simply place your faith in the One that has carried you this far, draw near to His love, and experience the restoring of your soul.

Genesis 22:3

As we’ve learned before, the midday sun of the Middle East is no joke.  So when it came to difficult manual labor or traveling long distances one would desire to rise early to beat the heat (Genesis 18:1).  So it was no surprise to see Abraham rise early in the morning to complete that which God had instructed him; the man knew what it would take to make the trek that day, and the labor it would involve.  Before the day got too hot, before the interruptions of everyday life got in the way, Abraham was up and heading towards Moriah, which literally translated means “Where the Lord Provides” or “Where the Lord Appears”. 

In the same way we have the choice to prepare and get a jump start before the heat of each day.  We too can set out for our “Moriah”, meeting with the Lord and receiving the provision as we present our offerings of prayer and praise.  All too often we wake up just in time to roll out of bed and run out of the door finding that we’re a leg behind and the day fully works us with distractions and derailments, at best we’re unsettled and unprepared for the journey ahead of us and the tasks that are to come in that day’s events. 

We have such a valuable lesson here with Abraham, when we are early to rise we will also be those who are receiving the Provision on Moriah in the hotter moments of the day, we’ll see the appearance of God’s wonderful presence in the moments where God doesn’t give clarity He simply gives instruction and asks us to obey.

Instead of wondering what’s going on, we’ll have the faith to say things like “WE will come back worship”.  What a statement of faith on Abraham’s part.  He fully knew God was asking Him to not just wound His son…but kill him.  But we see that Abraham is so acquainted with the character of the Father that he knew God was going to work it out for good.  Abraham was prepared to fully obey God and see Him glorified even with a fatal offering.

The same will be true for you and I, as we are diligent to seek God in the beginning of our day and get freshly acquainted with Him we’ll have ample faith to handle the hard moments.

We’ll Praise instead of Panic

Worship instead of Worry

And Walk away full instead of wanting.