Welcome to Day 3 for a short powerful devotion from our30 Psalms For Anxiety, Fear, Worry, And Depression bible plan.This short devotional is from Psalm 23:1-3.
Read Psalm 23:1-3. (Click on the psalm if you would like to see other translations of these verses)
Psalm 23 is such a beautiful psalm that fills you with calm. Join me as we explore the meaning of Psalm 23:1-3.
It is thought that David probably wrote Psalm 23 during the time that he was king of Judah which began in 1000 BC and extended over the whole of Israel in 993 BC. He probably composed it toward the end of his reign as king because of its calm and nostalgic tone.
David was definitely qualified to write these words. He had lived a very eventful and colorful life!
He was well acquainted with all the emotions of anxiety. He knew fear and depression. But he learned through his trials to turn immediately to God and to ask for his deliverance. We have already learned on Day 1 of our devotionals on, Psalms for anxiety that David waited expectantly for God to intervene in all his circumstances, and on Day 2 we learned that David saw God as his fortress. Now we learn how God is our shepherd, that He longs to give us rest and restore our soul.
Psalm 23:1-3 beautifully explained
David uses beautiful metaphors in Psalm 23 to convey the truth to us that God is our shepherd and He restores our souls. God redeems all things. He makes all things new when we surrender all the broken parts of our lives to Him. God also renews our strength when we rest in His presence and when we listen for His sweet words speaking to our hearts through scripture, God guides us along His paths for our lives.
David uses his experience as a shepherd boy to beautifully explain how God is his shepherd (God is our shepherd too!) He was well acquainted with how to care for sheep, and how to keep them safe from predators. David knew so well that sheep aren't smart. They need a shepherd to guide them, protect them, and correct them. Sheep need to be guided to a safe pasture to feed and to rest so that their strength can be renewed.
David was involved in many battles throughout his lifetime and he also made some errors of judgement but through them all, he remembered that God was his shepherd and that just as he used the crook of his staff to lift sheep out of danger, God too lifted David out of danger.
God wants to be your shepherd, guiding you through your life journey. God wants you to surrender everything in your life to Him and that means God wants you to give Him all the good things in your life as well as the bad and ugly things in your life. God is a restorer. God makes all things new.
Biblical definition of restore
What does it mean to be restored by God?
The biblical meaning of the word "restoration" is to receive back more than has been lost to the point where the final state is greater than the original condition. The main point is that someone or something is improved beyond measure. Unlike the regular dictionary meaning of "restoration," which is to return something back to its original condition, the biblical definition of the word has greater connotations that go above and beyond the typical everyday usage. Repeatedly throughout the Bible, God blesses people for their faith and hardships by making up for their losses and giving them more than they previously had before. (quote from reference.com)
God restores us to a right relationship with Him through the blood of Jesus. We are forgiven and justified.
God restores our earthly relationships and in Joel 2:25 we are promised that God will restore to us all that the locusts have eaten.
What does God need to restore in your life?
God is a God of restoration. God can take the messy parts of your life and turn them into a beautiful tapestry. A wonderful illustration of this is found in Joel 2:25.
"I will repay you for the years that the swarming locust ate, the young locust, the destroying locust, and the devouring locust--my great army that I sent against you."
Locusts had invaded Israel and ruined years of crops. The fields of the farmers were in seeming disrepair. God promises not only to return the land to its original condition but also to renew what got lost during the wasted years.
I personally have seen God restore many sad and unfair things in my life. I mess up, repent and God restores me. I am blessed to be loved so well!
You are loved too! You are so precious to God. He loves you so much and knows that you can never be perfect and that is why our Good Shepherd took care of us centuries ago by sending Jesus to be our savior.
Download our free guided prayer journal specifically designed for our 30 Psalms challenge or use a notebook to answer the following questions:
Do you know God as your shepherd?
Have you surrendered all things in your life to God?
Do you expect God to lead and guide you?
Spend some time thinking about how God restores your soul.
Bible affirmation:
Remember today that:
The Lord is my shepherd.
God restores my soul.
God makes all things new.
Scripture prayer:
Join me in praying Psalm 23:1-3.
Thank you, Father, that You are my shepherd. You keep me safe and guide me along safe paths. You restore all the broken and bad things in my life when I yield them to you. Help me to see all the things that I cling to that I need to surrender to you because I know that then I will be refreshed and calm. Renew my strength in your sweet presence. Amen.
Other encouraging bible verses reminding us that God is your shepherd and He restores your soul:
Related Resources:
You will find the 30 Psalms For Anxiety, Fear, Worry, And Depression bible plan HERE It will have the list of 30 Bible verses that we are using for 30 days for our bible challenge.
You may also enjoy reading this post, How To Pray Psalm 23 For An Anxious Heart.
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xx Karen.
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