Psalm 23:4 

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” The words are in the present tense, it deals with now, living and dying today. We need protection and help today.

The “valley of the shadow of death” could be a dark, deep ravine with sharp cliffs that cast shadows. The shepherd would know there were better pastures ahead but in order to get to them he would have to lead the sheep through these dark ravines. There may be danger ahead from the cliffs themselves or from animals hiding and waiting for their prey.

As we journey along the Christian path we may find ourselves going through dark and dangerous places, and difficult times.  Life can take a turn for the worst, our circumstances may look grim. King David had days like that. His life was threatened, he had to hide out from his enemies, king Saul was hunting him down to kill him. He faced wild beasts that threatened to kill his sheep. He would use his rod and staff often to defend the sheep from danger. God is our shield, our fortress, our rock to protect us from danger. He is watching over us every day. Anything that happens to us must first be filtered through His fingers, He must permit it because he is nothing can separate us from Christ. Jesus says, “I will never leave you or forsake you.” Paul says, “Nothing shall separate us from the love of Christ…” (Rom.8:8-39), including death, disaster, circumstances, and even Satan himself, absolutely nothing. He takes all the bad things that happen to us as well as the good things and works them together for His own good will.  (Rom. 8:28). He is all wise and only permits what is for your ultimate good. You can trust Him with your life. God will take care of you.

Walk with the Good Shepherd through the Valleys, the difficult times (Ps 23:4-5).

The Good Shepherd’s presence is with you in times of trials. David’s languages changes in this verse he speaks directly to God about times of trial, He leans on his relationship with God and says, “You”. He draws near to God, he need his direct help.  There are fearful and difficult circumstances in “the valley of the shadow of death”.

He will protect you in the valley, He will feed you in the dark place, He will give you water to drink from the steams of water there, He will protect you from the dangers that lurk there. This is often the time we get closer to God, in difficult times and when circumstances are against us.  It is often the place he revives and refreshes us. We come out of the valley having walked closer to God than we do on the mountain top.  It is His presence that takes away our fear. He protects us with his rod and staff. He uses His rod of authority to chase away the predators. He disciplines wayward sheep with it also. He uses His staff to lift us out of a hole we have fallen into or to guide us on the right path. These two pieces of equipment bring help and comfort to the sheep.

Yea, though I walk, there is no panic here, the believer is not to panic at the valley experience they are to keep on walking in the Spirit, even in the most difficult times like severe illness and death. Walking is a step by step process. Keep on walking with God. Keep on going forward with him regardless what is happening all around. He knows the path ahead, it is safe to walk with him. There is grace for living, for times of trial and grace for dying. We don’t go through it on our own, He goes with us.

through We walk through the valley we don’t stay in it. We go through trials and difficulties we don’t stay in them. Even death is something we don’t stay in we go through it to the other side and be with Jesus for ever and ever. We close our eyes here in death but open our eyes  in Heaven. Death is a shadow we pass through. We can have peace and assurance in the valley.

The God of the Valleys

“And there came a man of God, and spake unto the king of Israel, and said, Thus saith the LORD, Because the Syrians have said, The LORD is God of the hills, but he is not God of the valleys, therefore will I deliver all this great multitude into thine hand, and ye shall know that I am the LORD .” (1 Kings 20:28)

He is not only the God of the hills but also the God of the valleys. The Syrians who were enemies of  Israel spoke  these words. Israel had fallen away from God. The Syrians had been defeated by Israel. They said “God of the hills” at the first victory (v.23) and the second victory proved that He was the “God of the valleys”.

Many of us have proved him on the hilltop experience. We have had those happy and glorious days, days when it seemed nothing could go wrong. We felt good, we believed we could slay any giant. Everything was going well.  These are wonderful times.

On our way to heaven we will pass through a valley, a time of trouble, a difficult experience. Our circumstances may suddenly change and we are not on the mountain top. Some valleys are very deep but the God of the valleys will bring you through. He who begun a good work in us will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ (Phil. 1:6.

“the valley of the shadow of death,” it is not “the valley of death, “but the valley of the shadow of death, there is no sun there, it is only the shadow. This is a valley with high walls as eight hundred feet very close together so that at the bottom of the valley the sun hardly penetrates it, it is a dark valley.  It is also a very dangerous place for sheep. This is the place where the wolves, the lions and the bears were found. Some of you are going the valley today, it may be circumstances with your health, your parents, your children, at your job or a death. We will all go through it in the future. At that time you need to know God is with you he does not leave or abandon you, He does not forsake you, He stays with you in times of trouble , in the valley. “But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour…” Isa. 43:1-3).

A shadow comes because there light shining. Paul said, “Oh death where is thy sting..” Jesus took the sting of death for us. We don’t have to fear “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.” (Heb, 2:14-15). Death has been conquered by Jesus.  When it comes our time He will bring us through it. He is our light that chases away the shadows. The shadow of a lion cannot kill, the shadow of a snake cannot strike, the shadow of death cannot destroy us.

The valley may be death.

The Good Shepherd knows what it is to loose someone He loved to death, his friend Lazarus went through it, He himself passed through that dark valley, but God was with him. Angels ministered to him. He defeated death, sin and Satan. Death puts its cold icy hands on everyone, it casts a shadow over humanity. Jesus fought and defeated death and Satan in the valley of the Shadow of Death. He fought Satan and defeated him. This wonderful verse has brought great comfort to many on their death . It has given hope and consolation and comfort.

The valley may be a time of depression

Your heart is cast down within you and you are walking through dark experiences. “The valley of the shadow of death.” Is a dark, gloomy place, a depressing place.  The Valley of gloom, the valley of tears. Are you going through the valley of depression? Is your heart heavy? Have you lost your song in the night? Someone may say, “You should not be depressed.” But we sometimes are. It may be because of over tiredness, it may be because of circumstances, You try to put on a brave face. Let these words comfort you “I will be with you.” They will give you comfort and strength to go on. God’s people suffer of darkness than others. My grandmother rejoiced on her deathbed and had a vision of Jesus coming for her.

The Valley of Baca (Psalm 84:5-6)

The valley may be  trials, of the unknown, of weeping. This is when life is hard and you feel you cant go on. You feel the Lord is far from you.The Man of Sorrows will comfort you. “Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them. Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools”  “In the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer for I have overcome the word.” “..we have peace with God and glory in tribulation.”  “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:  By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” Rom. 5:1-5

The valley may be any peculiar trials.

When we go through great trials and feel unable to cope. When we are in that valley experience and all seems hopeless or lost. Remember He is with you.   The Shepherd will take care of you. Do not fear.  The Good Shepherd will guide you through. “When you pass through the waters I will be with you…” When you become perplexed and troubled in your soul you must go to God and dwell in his peace and have confidence and faith that he is with you through it all. He will lead you with his rod and Your staff, they comfort me!. It may be a dangerous valley. Robbers may be waiting to attack and rob you. Your life may be in danger. Enemies may attack you and wound you. But He will come to your rescue. “Yea, though I walk” David doesn’t walk alone he walks with the shepherd, He is with the sheep. People may forsake you but he won’t. All the saints go into the valley but they went through, they did not stay in. David said, “Why art thy downcast o my soul? Awake thee and praise the Lord.”

 The valley may be severe illness.

God sometimes leads his people through sorrow and pain.  He is there with you in that hospital, in that sick room. Trust Him.

The valley may be times of conflict

“…in the presence of mine enemies”.  Every person who followed God in history has had times of conflict. You have enemies, the world, the flesh, the devil as well as some people, you cannot escape it.  Nobody likes or wants conflict

In all these there is comfort, “Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me” .He will use his rod to protect you and drive back your enemy you are to lean upon his staff to get strength in the darkest hour.

The Valley of Elah – of Satanic Attack

“And the Philistines stood on a mountain on the one side, and Israel stood on a mountain on the other side: and there was a valley between them. Now Saul, and they, and all the men of Israel , were in the valley of Elah , fighting with the Philistines “ (1 Sam. 17:1, 17)

It was here that Goliath harassed the people of Israel. They were full of fear. Satan often threatens us and harasses us. He is like a roaring lion, a dragon, an old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan. He is a powerful enemy Jude 9, “Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee”. Do you have a Goliath in the valley today? God will defeat him through Christ.  Jesus, who has met the enemy and defeated him, spoiled principalities and powers, now at God’s right hand with all power in heaven and earth given to Him.

I will fear no evil. The evil will not frighten him. Jesus won the victory over evil. He takes away the fear of those shadows of evil. Many times evil is in our minds and we fear for nothing. Some Christians fear the evil of sickness or death, or unemployment, or heartache Jesus can deal with our fears, our phobias. I will not fear Satan or his demons Jesus has won the victory over them.

For thou art with me. My Creator Father is with me every day, I shall not fear. Here the sheep turn their eyes away from the dangers to the shepherd and his business was to deal with adversaries and foes, the grievous wolves. If sheep are in danger their safety is found in the shepherd. Jesus said, “I will never leave you or forsake you.” And “I will be with you to the end of the age.”

Thy rod and thy staff. They guide and rule my life. They protect me from dangers and let me know He is in control.

they comfort me. It is wonderful to know there they are there for our for our protection.  They give me a sense of belonging to the great God of the Universe is my Father, that comforts me.

One day we will see Him. Some of us will die”, Paul said, “To die is gain”, and “departing to be with Christ, which is far better.”  But those who are alive at His coming “shall be caught up together with the Lord in the air”.  The living saints on earth will experience this when He comes for His Church. Paul says this is our hope, our comfort at the prospect of death.

Yes in the present life there are valleys, but when we are in the presence of Jesus, the Light , all shadows will disappear. “Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death. You, O Lord, are with me! Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” David was very much alive when he wrote this Psalm. He knew the Good Shepherd in his daily experience. He is lying down in green pastures and following his Lord by still waters. He knows he will be protected from any danger. He believes goodness and mercy to follow him through all his days. This Psalm is for us today not when we die.

“Why art thy downcast o my soul? Awake thee and praise the Lord.”

Psalm 23:3

Most people in the world are looking for guidance. Satan has some paths also. Some go to astrology and seek it from the stars. Some go and have their tea cups or palms tread hoping to find out the future. Some go to a medium and seek the dead. All this is occult or trickery to get people to follow them, get power or money. God warns against them, “And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead?” (Isa. 8:19);  And lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven, and when thou seest the sun, and the moon, and the stars, even all the host of heaven, shouldest be driven to worship them, and serve them, which the Lord thy God hath divided unto all nations under the whole heaven. (Deut. 4:19.)

There are those who think life is a chance happening. Jacques Monod said “For some time now, the unpleasant idea has been dawning on mankind that it may owe its existence to nothing but a roll of some cosmological set of dice.”  In other words it is mere chance that all the molecule, and atoms in their complexity came together to bring order out of chaos. This is absurd. There is order in the human body, order in the universe. There is the invisible guiding hand of God ordering it all.

We all need guidance to know how to live in this confusing world. There is no one shot decision that is ever going to do anything special for you. Your life must be made up of thousands and thousands of decisions. Some of these decisions will be compatible with your spiritual gift.

Some seek guidance about a boyfriend or girlfriend, a husband or wife, a job, what college we should apply for what university course should they follow. People need guidance in financial affairs, in what home to buy, where to live. It is endless. Most of the time we can get direction from the Word of God He guides us what paths to go down. God’s Word tells us, “Go this way! Don’t go that way!” Things that are not as clear can be helped by using Biblical principles. His paths are paths of righteousness. The Good Shepherd will only guide in paths of righteousness. To continue in sin will take us of the path. “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord abstain from wickedness” (2 Tim. 2:19). God’s name is bound up with our walk as believers. He has chosen to identify His holy name with us. If we live just like the world, we cause His name to be blasphemed. For His name’s sake, He guides us in paths of righteousness.

Life is active, we cannot always lie down in the fold. Sheep are on the move and need direction. The believer has to go out to work or school or college or into the community. We rest in order to move out the next day to work or do our duties.

The Good Shepherd provides spiritual guidance.

David led his father’s sheep along to greener paths to on a daily basis. He would lead them to paths he knew before hand, paths he approved of. They may lead up through mountain passes, or ravines, or over the barren wilderness of the desert. The shepherd was well acquainted with these paths, he knew the ones to avoid and the ones that were good and safe. They sheep were safe and secure if they follow him. He would lead them to a safe place.

Our Lord, our Good Shepherd; knows the dangers in this world we live in, He is aware of the pitfalls and dangers that lie ahead. When we follow Him He will lead us through the mountain path, through the desert places and bring us to a safe place. We Christians have chosen the narrow way that leads to life, we have gone through the door and now we follow that way. Sometimes it seems too narrow for us, or that it is too rugged and uphill. But He knows where He is taking us. We must keep focused on the Good Shepherd and depend upon His wisdom and knowledge of the terrain and have confidence that He will get us to the destination.

We need to see where we are going and Receive Instruction and Teaching.

“He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.”

“Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psa. 119:105). This is a picture of a person walking along a difficult and dangerous path or road on a dark night. If he had a torch, a lantern he could see where he was going and avoid any pitfalls or danger before him. Peter in the New Testament says, “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place” (2 Peter 1:19). The world is the “dark place” and Gods Word, is “light” to guide us. God’s Word cannot be a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path unless we know His Word.

Psalm 32:8- 9 “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go.” God says He will instruct and teach you in the way which thou shalt go. He has a plan for you, a way, a path for you to go. He says, “I will guide thee with Mine eye.” He does not want you to go your own way, or say “I done it my way”. Nor does he want you to be stubborn like a mule and fight against the way He has chosen for us. “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof (are) the ways of death” Proverbs 14:12.   God has a plan, a way for each one of us to go. He will guide us and reveal through His Word.

God’s eternal plan for you includes His providence, “The ways of a man are in his heart but God directs his footsteps.” Proverbs 16:9. The people you meet the situations you come across are no accident but a divine appointment for you. As believers we make thousands of decisions each day so it is good to commit our way unto Him and ask for wisdom to make the right choices.  We don’t make just one decision and it’s over. You have to make thousands of them. Some of Gods sheep have a difficult path to travel seem not to have too many problems in life. But He will bring us all home.

False Shepherds

Some people have been led astray through false teachers or wrong understanding of the Word. We must understand what the Bible says about a subject. Peter warns Christians of all ages: “But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their destructive ways” (2 Peter 2:1,2). Christ said: “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves” (Matthew 7:15). False teachers are false not only in doctrine but also in their appearance. They pretend to be something they are not. On the inside they are vicious wolves who kill and scatter the sheep. But they wear a sheepskin to trick the sheep. What does God think about false teachers? “Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of My pasture!” (Jeremiah 23:1). They will be punished for their evil deeds: “You have scattered My flock, driven them away, and not attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for the evil of your doings” (Jeremiah 23:2). Shame on the shepherds who let my sheep scatter and be lost! says the Lord. Those who pastor and lead God’s people have a great responsibility. They must teach the truth and be a good example to the people and lead them into a relationship with God. God sees those who misuse their authority as shameful.

With leadership comes heavy responsibility.  The Lord holds accountable those who have spiritual authority over the people of God.

In verses 9 and 10 Jeremiah laments the terrible state of the land “because of the prophets.” “For both prophet and priest are profane” (verse 11). Profane means ‘secular’, ‘not holy’. The prophets and priests were supposed to be spiritual and holy. Instead, they were secular.

He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. The Christian wants to obey in love to the Good Shepherd because He lovingly leads us. They know God’s Word is the most important thing for their guidance and they follow its directions. You cannot neglect it or pick and choose what pleases you.

 “Paths” is in the plural, “the paths of righteousness.” The plural, suggests divine leadings in all the individual ways of our lives. The Christian life is described as being narrow. The Lord leads his individual sheep through one experience after another, overruling each one for his eternal good. “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths” (Prov. 3:5, 6). First trust or lean upon and have full confidence in the Lord. You can count upon Him in every emergency, to look to Him for the supply of every need, to say with the Psalmist “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want” (Psa. 23:1). It means that we cast all our cares upon Him, we trust Him every day for our needs. We rely upon His ability, His wisdom, His knowledge and grace.  We trust Him like a little child trusts their parent. We believe He will do as He says.

Then it says, “and lean not unto thine own understanding,” we are not to trust in our own wisdom or human reason. Many of God’s ways are “past finding out,” you cannot solve the mysteries of Providence or His Infinite wisdom.

Fourthly, “in all thy ways acknowledge Him.” We acknowledge He is in control. We seek His guidance in every thing we do “ALL THY WAYS”. Paul says “In every thing by prayer and supplication” (Phil. 4:6). And, “whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Cor. 10:31).

We desire Gods blessings on our lives. We seek His glory.

Lastly, “And He shall direct thy paths”: When we obey the whole verse he will do this. Sheep are prone to stray or wander. Bur the Good Shepherd will “direct” or “make straight” our paths. The world has lost its way, it is mixed up and confused. Wickedness and deceit are all around. We need Him to “direct our paths.”  We need to follow Gods will.

As we move out and about in our daily lives we need direction and the wisdom what path to choose and where will it lead us. It should lead us to righteousness or the right place. The wilderness, or desert there are no tracks or roads that run alongside each other. There are many paths one could take in this world.  As we have many choices or paths to take each day it is important to make the right choices, there are consequences for making the wrong ones. But whatever we do it should be “for his name’s sake.”

Ver. 3. Paths of righteousness. The path may be narrow and so full of ruts, we need His help to get through them. They are right paths, He will never lead us into wrong paths or to paths that are contrary to His Word. He will not lead you down the path of error or false teaching or to follow false teachers or prophets. They are “paths of righteousness” and  the Great Shepherd knows his way around, He will lead us safely through each day.  Sometimes the paths go through the wilderness “My Lord knows the way through the wilderness all I have to is follow.” He knows where there are difficulties, exposures and every danger.

Ver. 3. For his name’s sake. “Whatever we do we should do for the glory of God.” Good sheep will give a good name to the Good Shepherd bad sheep will bring derision upon Him. .

The Christian is in full time service for the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Spirit will lead you to have a life of fruitfulness (Gal. 5:22-23), Each believer has at least one spiritual gift. Our gift is a help in guiding us what way to go, how to serve him.  It helps us follow His directions.  Your path may be a mother, a wife, a husband, a teacher, a children’s worker, a bus driver, a computer expert, or using your gifts to minister in music, in prayer etc. You have to make many every day. The Spirit will never lead you away from holiness, , many decisions in line with the will of God and with the Word of God. You use your will to make decisions.

Vs 8 “I will guide thee with Mine eye.” Gods way is not a mystery, He doesn’t hide from you. He reveals it to you

Led by the Spirit Gal.5:17-18

For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. (Gal.5:17-18)

To be led by the Spirit is the same as walking by Him (vv. 16, 25, Romans 8:3-4). He guides us.  Walking by the Spirit is a step at a time. It is keeping in step with the Spirit. Not running ahead of Him or behind Him. When we are children we to learn to walk. The apostle Peter says we need the milk of the Word to help us walk spiritually. The milk strengthens strengthen us as we read it study it are taught it.

You will have difficult times and a variety of circumstances as you walk your path, you may be confused or when the flesh tempts and seduce you. He will never lead you into a lie, into error, for He is the Spirit of truth (John 16:13-15), He will lead you to pray (Ephesians 2:18), He gives you assurance (Romans 8:16), He will enable you to witness (Acts 1:8). He will showus that “the friendship of the world is enmity with God” (James 4:4)

“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” Romans 8:4. The Spirit of God leads the people of God. Don’t resist Him, don’t grieve Him, follow His directions. He will lead you to live right and do right. He will not bring you into bondage or legalism to the law, “But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.”  “He whom the Son sets free is free indeed.” We are to “Stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ has set us free and not be entangled again with the yoke of bondage”. Galatians 5:1.

Don’t Be Ignorant About Gods Will

“Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is” (Eph. 5:17).

God wants us to use our brain and a sanctified common sense and Godly conscience to follow  and serve Him. He wants us to be enlightened by the Word and convicted by the Spirit. Believers need instructed by His Word. He wants to lead us to His paths and be acquainted with His ways. God will reveal His will for us. He says “Lean not unto thine own understanding!” (Prov. 3:5). He says “Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help” (Psa. 146:3.) God makes something good out of the messes we make of our lives. He knows the hidden things and leads His sheep step-by-step. We follow our shepherd through the divine wisdom and helps us make the best possible decisions (James 1:5;). We are not to lean on our own understanding but trust in the Lord (Prov. 3:5, 6).

His direct will. God’s Will of Decree, or Sovereign Will

The “will of God” He is sovereign and in control of all that comes to pass. Jesus said in Gethsemane, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” Matt. 26:29. Gods plan would be accomplished. Acts 4:27-28. The “will of God” was that Jesus must die. He decreed and nothing could change it.

Gods permissive will was that he permitted sinful men like, Herod, Pilate, the soldiers, the Jewish leaders to fulfill God’s will that his Son be crucified (Isa. 53:10). .

Gods overruling will. Paul tells us, “In him [Christ] we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will.” Eph. 1:11.

His will

Romans 12:1-2 God wants all that we do to be “spiritual worship.” Verse 1: “Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” Gods will is to use your minds, hearts and bodies to worship Him. That’s the way he will lead us. Our minds are to transformed to think his way.  Verse 2  “Be transformed by the renewal of your mind.”  This will effect the way we follow the Good shepherd and how we live.

 

 

The church is not made up of perfect people. You will often hear unbeliver’s say “I’m not going there they are a bunch of hypocrites.” Christians are ordinary people like you and I, they make mistakes, they fail, they sin, they need healing and forgiveness. They go cold and slip away from their first love. But they know they need to get back to the Lord, they need to get their lives right, they need restored. When a local church fails God or the Church worldwide strays from God, then they need restored, renewed, revived. The Renewal movements in church history verify the need of revival and renewal. The Reformation was such a restoration to Biblical faith and objected to the doctrines and non-Biblical concepts that crept in to cause spiritual darkness. There were pre and post Reformation restorations or revivals. It is the process of restoration of spiritual strength and vigour that comes after the new birth. It involves getting back to the centrality of Scripture, prayer, a personal move of the Holy Spirit that awakens the soul, a desire to meet with Gods people. Often joy is overwhelming and many times new hymns or spiritual songs are written.  Sometimes the believers mind needs “renewed in the spirit of the mind” (Eph. 4:23 that is the mental faculties that have been affected by sin or neglect of following God and his Word, they are renewed, reinvigorated which affects the conduct for good. Paul says the new man is in constant need of renewal, “and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. (Col.3:10).

God’s people clearly disobey him at times. Great men and women in the Bible failed at one time or other, Abraham, Jacob, Moses, Joshua, David. They knew they sinned but they also knew they need to get right with God and receive his healing and forgiveness, because they had damaged their soul. Christians are not perfect we don’t live in an ivory tower nor should we want to continue in sin but sometimes we fail. We are not  obsessed with sin, our focus is  with the Saviour. The Christian tries to be real and authentic and will deal with sin. He finds it difficult to walk in sin, he comes under the conviction of the Holy Spirit.  Psalm 130 verse 3, “If Thou Lord shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?”

Jacob refused submission to God at home and submitted to his uncle Laban in Haran, in a far country. His uncle deceived him and he had to work hard seven years and the night of the wedding Laban brought in his veiled daughter but it wasn’t Rachael it was her sister.  Just as Jacob had deceived his father it was now a case you reap what you sow. He kept getting into difficulties until he came back to Bethel, the fold. The children of Israel “provoked the Lord to wrath” because they longed for, “the fish…  the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks and garlic, the onions” of Egypt. His anger rose against them and the wandered in the wilderness for almost 40 years, because of their moaning, complaining and waywardness, the wandered away like lost sheep. He discipline’s an individual or eve a group or a church, “I have heard Ephriam grieving, You have disciplined me, and I was disciplined like an untrained calf; bring me back that I may be restored”, He had wandered away.  God disciplines because he acts as a Father who loves us. He disciplines us for our good. God does not punish us for our sins in a legal sense, He done that at Calvary. The chastisements he brings upon His people are to be understood as loving corrections of a loving and tender hearted father. “He restoreth my soul”  there are two Hebrew words in the text.  The word for soul, nephesh the soul, and the word for restore, shuwb breath or wind and describe the spirit.  The two words describe our life.  That living personality, you and me.

When Do You Need Restored?

“He restoreth my soul” It is the individual person that first need revived. There are two Hebrew words in the text.  The word for soul, nephesh the soul, and the word for restore, shuwb breath or wind and describe the spirit.  The two words describe our life.  That living personality, you and me.

You need restored when you backslide.  When you loose your first love. You follow your own ways. The one who stops walking with the Lord feels the absence most keenly. You tend to follow a far way off and that leaves the sheep in greater danger  than those who stay close to the shepherd. You loose your joy, you do not want to talk about Jesus. You can fall into a snare or be attacked by enemies.

Your need restored when you “…conform to the pattern of this world” then you need to be “transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Rom. 12:2).  That is when you model your thinking upon the culture of the world around you.  You slip into the worlds thinking, ideas, philosophies. Your mind needs renewed, not by thinking about religious thing or Christian subjects but by thinking the way God thinks.

Your need restored when you when you turn to secular thinking or humanism and its philosophies for your answer. When you chase success and position rather than pursuing the things of the Spirit. .

You need restored when your hope goes and your conscience accuses you. You need revived.

You need restored when your when you become cold and start complaining and you stop meeting with the Lords people, you start complaining about the Church, about others, you become restless and unhappy, dissatisfied and discontented. You find fault with everybody.

You need restored when your when you live for materialism. You become a material girl or man. You live for things. You want all that this world can give. You stop seeking first the kingdom of heaven.

Your need restored when you when something or someone else takes the place of the Lord. Your need restored when you when things like material possessions, people, hobbies, job, education or anything that take you away from the Good Shepherd, you need restored.

When you neglect the Word of God and prayer. You begin to think the way the world thinks, you take on their philosophies. You stop thinking like God. You frequent places you shouldn’t and live like the unsaved. The soul becomes weak, confused and agitated.

Your need restored when you when pleasures, sport, music, movies, TV,  and entertainment come before God and the assembling together with the Church.

He Restores My Soul

He – refers to the Lord God almighty who restore the soul.

Restores

Everyone knows the meaning of restoration. Sometime marriages need restored, relationships with other people need restored. You can restore an old dilapidated house, or a car, or a piece of furniture a broken down bike to their former glory. After a serious illness or surgery and the pain subsides and the body healed we are fully restored. It is a wonderful thing.  You were restored to health. When the soul is not functioning right, when we are sick in the soul, God restores the souls of His people.  He restored the soul to spiritual life when you get right with Him. But because we are not yet perfect and we fail and sin it affects the soul in a negative way Only God knows what our souls need for restoration.

The verb “restores” (used about 1,060 times in the Old Testament) can mean “converting,” Psalm 19:7 “law of Jehovah”, “reviving” or “transforming. The soul (life) is “refreshed” by God. It is a movement back to the point of departure to its former condition. In Hosea 14:4, the Lord promises: “I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for my anger is turned away from him”, it implies a healing. The soul is damaged, the emotions, the mental well-being, the state of mind.   It can bring frustration, sadness, regret, mental unrest, worry, guilt, fear. There is worry, guilt, regret, sadness, unrest, frustration, and fear, sin has many children. The soul is damaged by sin, the mind and the emotions are damaged and need healing, or restored.  God can restore us, renew us, make us whole again, he is the Good Shepherd (cf. John 10:11, 14).  He can give back “the years the canker worm has eaten.”

Soul

In the Hebrew Bible the term “soul” is nephesh (756 times). The word can refer to “life” (Genesis 1:30), or simply the “person” (Deuteronomy 10:22).  It’s the immaterial part of a human that is more precious than gold or silver or the whole world Jesus said. Human beings have a sprit but it is dead towards God. When a person is regenerated, or born again, they become spiritually alive towards God. They can now fellowship with Him, commune with Him, understand His word, enjoy Him and sin forgiven. When they sin they are temporarily out of fellowship with God. That’s when they need restored or refreshed or revived.  Materialists, atheists, deny man has a soul.  “Jehovah’s Witnesses.” Say it is an illustration.

The body is made of “dust” (Genesis 2:7); the soul resides inside the body and is very precious (Matthew 10:28) man is made in the image of God himself (Genesis 1:26-27).

King David’s Responses to His Sin and His Restoration Ps 51

David’s Responses to His Sin

Psalm 51 and 32 David strayed from the path. He sinned with Bathsheba he had deep inner guilt. He became depressed, in mental turmoil, physically ill. and could not live with himself and went away from the Lord. He could not go on in his life until he confessed it. He became depressed, in mental turmoil, physically ill. Then he could ask for the joy to be restored to his soul. He cried in another place, “Why art thy cast down within me O my soul? Awake ye and praise the Lord”. The soul, the psyche the real person was affected by sin, it also had a psychosomatic effect upon his body, he became ill. The Christian today confesses his sin, “If we confess our sin He is faithful and just to forgive us our sin” 1 John 1:9. Christians deal with sin.

• He Turns to God
• He Prays for Cleansing
• He Confesses the Seriousness of His Sin 3-5,
• He Pleads for Renewal 6-12

There are times when a believer will be disciplined. David “slid” backwards on occasions, and when he did, his soul was plunged into distress (cf. Psalm 32; 51). He needed restored, or “converted,” “revived” or “transformed” or “healed.” Unconfessed sin is a terrible burden to bear and God loves His children too much to allow unconfessed sin in their lives. The hand that disciplines is the same hand that forgives and protects. Confess it now and thank God for His forgiveness and protecting hand of grace.

King David’s life was multiplied with trouble after he sinned with Bathsheba. He faced many dark and difficult times in his life. Many of his problems came from his enemies but some came from himself. The Psalms can be a source of encouragement when we are depressed, discouraged, tired, weary, whatever the dark time may be. The men and women of Bible times give us many examples of restoration.

Sin, trials, pressures, discouragement and tribulation can have a detrimental effect on the soul. David sinned and lost the joy,  “restore unto me the joy of my salvation,” the word restore is that of Psalm 23:3, “He restores my soul.” How can God restore your soul?

When you sin you lose your peace of mind and have a guilty conscience this can have a psychosomatic effect and cause physical suffering. So it affects our physical health. The body “soma” (bodily) is affected by the soul.

Sin can cause some illnesses. There are numerous reasons for illness, birth defects, diseases and physical defects that are not from personal sin. The blind man who Jesus had not sinned nor his parents, Timothy had not sinned, Job had not sinned. We must be careful of passing judgment. Davids physical and mental condition were clearly an effect of his personal sin.

1. He Turns to God

Vs 1-2 The first thing David stared with was God, who He was, how He revealed Himself, His revelation of man, the world and sin. He cried for mercy based upon God’s loving kindness and tender mercies and ability to forgive. He starts thinking right. He knew he needed to be washed and cleansed because sin it was destroying his soul and his relationship with God and it will destroy yours. It will affect the child of God spiritually and will make him feel dirty and unclean. Sin deserves judgment asks for mercy and needs cleansing.

2. He Prays for Cleansing

“Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.” Wash me. The child of God is like a sheep they may fall into mud puddle but will get out as soon as possible. A child of the devil loves the mud and he will roll about in it and wants to stay there. David took responsibility for his own actions. He did not blame Bathsheba, he did not blame his upbringing, he did not blame his environment, he did not blame Satan. He took another man’s wife and made her pregnant and sent the husband to the front of the battle to be killed. It was a heinous sin.  He was a hypocrite and had the audacity to give the man a military funeral and then marry his pregnant wife. His sin dogged him, he was obsessed with it and had no peace and lost his joy, it would affect him the rest of his life. He can’t get it out of his mind. He can’t get it out of the thoughts that run through his head night and day. His mental, psychological and physical state was in a mess. Sin has made him dirty, and he asks to be clean. Guilt has made him physically sick, and he asks to be healed.

3. He can’t get his sin out of his mind and confesses it.

Vs 3 Psychosomatic effects. It Affects Us Mentally.

It troubles you mentally and you cannot get it out of your mind. It affects your thinking process, causes mental problems, put you on edge, you loose your peace and thought life. Before you were a Christian you could sin all day and it did not affect you.  For the a child of God says, “My sin is ever before me”.  To let it continue un-confessed will bring turmoil and misery, few people want to be around you. I’ve done it against You, the only God. I have sinned.

It Affects Our Conscience v4

Vs 4 “Against you you only have I sinned.” David is conscience stricken. He realized that his sin was against God, then his wife, Bathsheba, Uriah, himself, his kingdom. His relationship with God was broken His sin has created a barrier between he and God.  God saw his sin, “in thy sight.”

Vs. 5 He knows he was born a sinner.

Vs. 6. “Behold, Thou desirest truth in the inward parts. And in the hidden.” God is interested with what goes on in our hearts. Scripture says, “The heart of man is deceitful and above  all things desperately wicked.”

4. He Pleads for Renewal

Gods Power to Cleanse

Vs 7 “Wash me with hyssop and I shall be clean, wash me and I shall be whiter than snow.

Sin Affects Us Physically v8

verse 8. “Make me hear joy and gladness, that the bones which Thou hast broken may rejoice.” Shepherds used to break the legs of wayward sheep to teach them not to wander then he would set it, and then he’d have to carry that little sheep, and it would learn to trust him. When the leg healed he’d set the little sheep on the ground and it followed the shepherd everywhere.

David was an unhappy man. He couldn’t lose his salvation but he could and did lose the joy of his salvation. Christians today who have no joy in their lives have hearts that have been saddened by sin. Sin and lack of joy are inseparable just as purity and joy are inseparable.

God’s hand was so heavily upon David that he felt crushed, it affected his body. Many people suffer physically because of sin. Psychosomatic illness – means that the mind can make the body sick. (1 Cor 11:30) “For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.”. The cause was SIN!

Sin will cause us to suffer it will dry your spirit up, Proverbs 17:22, “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine but a broken spirit drieth the bones”

Vs 9 Sin blots out the face of God. You set up a barrier between you and Him.

Sin Affects Our Hearts vs 10

verse 10. “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” His desire is a new start. I want a new attitude, new heart.”  It affects the mind, the thinking. When you sin you loose your peace of mind and have a guilty conscience this can have a psychosomatic effect and cause physical suffering. So it effects our physical health. The body “soma” (bodily) is affected by the soul.

God knows our lives, he knows everything about us, so he knows when we need restoration.

God’s Word can restore our soul and giving us hope in times of distress.  We read of forgiveness there, of comfort and renewal. It is only the soul of the Christian that can be restored to its former relationship with God.

God restores even when there seems no way out of your situation or the mess you have gotten into.

The word hints of the damage that sin can do to the soul, or as we might express it, to the “psyche,” the emotions, one’s mental state of well-being. In this regard we cannot but think of such mental turbulence as worry, guilt, regret, sadness, unrest, frustration, and fear.

When you sin you lose your peace of mind and have a guilty conscience this can have a psychosomatic effect and cause physical suffering. So it affects our physical health. The body “soma” (bodily) is affected by the soul.

Sin can cause some illnesses. Jesus healed a crippled man and implied that his condition had been a result of sin in his life. “Afterward Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, Behold, you are made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.” John 5:14 Again, in 1Cor 11:30 speaking of people taking communion unworthily, not taking the time to examine ourselves and truly repent of our sins first … “For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.” (sleep = die).

There are numerous reasons for illness, birth defects, diseases and physical defects that are not from personal sin. The blind man who Jesus had not sinned nor his parents, Timothy had not sinned, Job had not sinned. We must be careful of passing judgment.

The Joy Restored.

“Verse 12: “Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.”  “What happiness for those whose guilt has been forgiven! What joys when sins are covered over! What relief for those who have confessed their sins and God has cleared their record. Ps. 32:1.

When we do what David done then we thank God again for the Cross, for the wonders of heaven and for the Gospel. In the midst of a world of suffering and pain we can have an inner joy. All around us people have heartache. There is much illness and death. Christians need inner joy in the midst of such sorrow. In the midst of the pain we can know the joy of God and have the assurance that He is in control. We know that Jesus is coming for his own and we will receive a new body and live with him forever, pain free. We have a balanced mind and are thoughtful to the suffering, and grieve but not without hope. We thank God for a bright future. For the Cross, for the wonders of heaven and for the Gospel. The blessing of God’s joy (32:10-11). He prays for the joy of God’s salvation and for a spirit that is joyfully willing to follow God’s word and be kind with people. It is like heaven again.

Vs 13. “…then will I teach transgressors Your ways; and sinners shall be converted to You.” He begins to witness again.  Most Christians don’t witness because of sin in their lives.

14. “Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, God of my salvation; and my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness.”

Vs 15 “O Lord, open my lips; and my mouth shall show forth Your praise.

Then you have the joy back and can speak of His salvation. The Lord renews and refreshes you. He fellowships with you. Your relationship is restored. You remember your first love.  You witness again.

16. “O Lord, open my lips; and my mouth shall show forth Your praise. For You do not desire sacrifice, else would I give it; You do not delight in burnt-offering.”