He restores my soul.
Psalm 23:3a (ESV)
Our Good Shepherd cares for us so deeply that there is no want within us for anything other than the Shepherd himself. There is nothing lacking in our lives as our Shepherd leads us beside still waters and makes us lie down in green pastures. He brings us to the place of peace and rest found only in Jesus. And as we are made to lie down and rest in the green pasture beside still waters, the Good Shepherd restores our soul. He restores, refreshes, and revives our heart. He brings vitality and health to our weary and broken life. It is such a wonderful picture to think about. The Shepherd and me lying in the green grass together beside the still waters. Resting together. Spending intimate time together. Enjoying each other’s presence. And in all of this, the Shepherd is restoring my soul.
As I was lying in bed this Saturday morning, I continued my meditation on Psalm 23 and considered this first portion of verse three. It is only four words, but they have worked wondrously in my heart this morning. I spent a lot of time contemplating and thinking about lying in the green pastures beside still waters with my Shepherd. I considered deeply the implication of spending such intimate and quality time with Jesus each and every day. Unhurried time with my Savior Shepherd to grow more intimate with him. Quiet moments of reflection. Moments of peace and rest, unhurried by the needs of the day. I need this every day.
This is why my Savior taught me to pray, “Give me this day, my daily bread.” He is the bread of life and he knows that I need it regularly. I need it continually. I need it consistently. I need it intentionally. My Shepherd knows that I am prone to busyness and distraction from a holy meditation and worship of Jesus. I am like a broken cistern that leaks the holy water of spiritual intimacy. I need renewal and refreshment on a consistent basis. There is a specialness to this place of rest that he leads me to and makes me lie down.
I am still tempted to do something and make it about me even in this place of rest. Even in the green pastures beside still waters where I have been brought, I want to make it more about me than about Jesus. I have to read. I have to pray. I have to study and work hard. Truly, there is a need for me to take the initiative and participate. I must be willing to rest with my Savior. Yet, it is the Shepherd who restores my soul. It is not my effort or plans. It is not my ingenuity or cleverness. It is only Jesus who restores, refreshes, and revives my soul.
So what do I do with this understanding? I come and worship in his rest. I some before him and lay all my burdens before him. I just simply come before Jesus and enjoy fellowship with him. I listen to him and I share myself with him. I share my true self with him. Not this modified, edited version of myself that I live before others and myself. Not the mask of fake righteousness that I often find myself putting on. I need to open my heart to him. He has brought me to this place of beauty and rest in his presence so I can dispel the illusion and deception that captures me. I can be open and honest. Truly open and honest before him. I can repent and find forgiveness. I can be healed. In his presence, I will find the restoration of my life and soul.
Lord Jesus… Thank you for bringing me to this place of beauty with you. You are the green pasture and the still water. You are the refreshment of my soul. Give me a deep longing to be intimate with you. Jesus, I want to know you more deeply and to do that I must be known deeply by you. I know that you already know me in perfect intimacy. Reveal yourself to me through me. Teach me to know myself as you know me. Teach me to embrace my weakness and helplessness. Reveal my need for your grace and mercy in my life. Bring repentance to my heart. And with my heart and head bowed before you, you will lift my chin to look me in the eyes and gently speak my name as your love washes over over me and your Spirit fills me to overflowing. Amen.