He restoreth my soul; He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake.

Psalms 23:3, KJV

King David went through a lot in his lifetime. But long before he was a king, he was a mere boy entrusted with the job of tending his father's sheep. While David was still a youth, God saw something good and right with him, so God took him from the solitary pastures and raised him up to be a king. It was God Himself who indicated why He chose David to shepherd His chosen people - it was because David had a heart after God's heart. Since David had this desire, he became very useful to God.

You likely remember the history of David well. God had his prophet Samuel anoint David while yet a shepherd. God gave David powers to serve to go along with a heart that was already willing. When a bear and a lion attacked the flock David was watching over, David was able to kill these predators with his bare hands, Now a man cannot normally do this, but God showed David that He was with him, so David was more than adequate for the task. Later when Goliath, a human tank of a man, confronted God's armies of Israel, it was David who came to the rescue. Normally a youth with a sling shot and a few stones cannot stand against a giant of a man who possessed the most modern and efficient weaponry of his era, but David did because God was with him.

At first, Saul, the king of Israel, looked upon David with gratitude, but it didn't take long for Saul to view David as a threat to his own power so he tried to have David killed. Saul used all the resources within a power that only a king possesses to pursue and kill David. David escaped into enemy territory to hide, but Saul and his armies would find him again and again. Though David had but a handful of men with him, he was still able to withstand and escape the powerful armies that wanted his death. Normally the little man cannot resist the full force of mighty nations, but David did because God was with him.

Later David would pen the 23rd Psalm, widely regarded as one of the most comforting and faith building passages in all of God's inspired Word. Within that psalm David reveals that it is in fact God who is our shepherd, and that those under this Shepherd's care would never lack any good thing that they needed. David pointed out that it is God Himself who leads us into green pastures and Who leads us beside still waters. It is our trust in this great Shepherd that allows Him to restore our souls.

Do you long for such peaceful settings? Do you have need for restoration of your very being? God will provide this very blessing and much, much more if you will only let Him. You likely have enemies in your life that seem like giants at times. God will allow you to escape and even conquer such foes, if you will let Him. In fact, even if you were to walk through that Valley of the Shadow of Death - and you will some day - you will have no need of fear because God will be with you. Surely goodness and mercy will comfort you all the days of your life, because it is God Who will extend these very gifts to you.

Normally, a fallible individual such as ourselves could not enjoy the favor of the Most High, but God gives us the right to enjoy such favor. Far in excess of that favor, He has allowed His only begotten Son to pay the penalty for the things we have done that would have prevented our receiving such blessings. What's the catch? I'm glad you asked!

You will have to have a heart after God's own heart. You will have to be willing to face the beasts and giants should they ever stand in the way of your service to God. You will have to be willing to go through the bad times, while all the time remaining faithful to God. In short, you will have to do the very things in life that none of us want to go through. Most will shrink from such service, but for those who accept God's terms because they love He and His Son with all of their hearts, there will be supplied all the power needed to get the job done. 

You and I are servants of God and of Christ! This is the greatest honor ever afforded mankind! See this opportunity of service for what it is and then boldly serve God for the rest of your life. For some, this will require a change of attitude and a change of heart. But, for those who have a heart after God's very own, you will find that He really will restore your soul! And, if there is one thing we need in this world filled with discouragement and heartache and wickedness, it is restoration!

It is yours, for the asking, if you are willing to do your part. Is the LORD your Shepherd?

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