Psalm 23:3
“He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake”.
Yahweh our God does not only bring us to a place of growth and refreshes us, but also “brings us back” into His presence, and our strength, especially with regards to our soul (spiritual aspect of our being). The picture that David portrayed here is a “tired and broken sheep”.
There are times in our life when we are not well spiritually. We felt discouraged, downhearted, anxious, worried, and devastated by many things. There are also moments when we are less motivated to serve and search for God. This is real and it happens to many of us if not all.
The notorious factor is ‘sin’. This is the effect of sin on us. It limits us. But God’s grace is limitless, that is why we conquer. In Christ, we are victors over sin. 1 Cor. 15:57-58 says, “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord”.
Another beautiful thing in this verse is that Yahweh “restores” us not only physically but also spiritually and holistically healthy again. God has many ways to restore us, and they are simple means that can create a positive deep impact on us.
One is prayer and scripture study. Others are fellowship with fellow saints and lastly would be recreation (like things that you love to do) whether, athletics, music, food, hiking, biking, beat making, arts, dancing, movies, reading books, body massage, and long ride with your new motorbike (with love ones and friends) and many more (but the best recreation for many is to have a good sleep).
God values our wholistic life which is why He uses these means to regain our strength and spiritual focus. But the most important of these means are prayer and word – these two are indispensable and non-negotiable for restoring our life back to God.
Having said this, Yahweh “guides us” to the “path of righteousness”. The idea of “guide” is like someone walking alongside you like a tour guide. It is quite different from the word “lead” in verse 2 which has an idea of “walking before you or in front of you”. While here, Yahweh is “walking with and beside you” which makes it more intimate. God wants His relationship with us to be intimate.
He guides us by walking beside us. He is our Father and our Shepherd who is near to me and you. What an intimate God we have in Christ! Notice the term “paths”, why is it stated in plural form? The next words are “of righteousness” to complete the phrase. It shows that there are many good and pleasing “things” that we can do for Him.
It connotes “living a good and pleasing life before Yahweh” through the work of the Holy Spirit.
We can live a holy life only because of the grace of God, “For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in Him? Even so, the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words. But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised” (1 Cor. 2:10-14), and “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Eph. 2:8-9) (Cf. Jn.14:17, 26; Rom. 8:6, 14, 26).
All of God’s work is not mainly for our sake. That is not His ultimate goal. So, what is the reason why God continually loves us, guides us, protects us, and saves us? It is because we are loveable? Certainly not. Is it because we are good? Absolutely not. Is it because we are special people? not at all. It is plain and simple. All of His actions are primarily for “His name’s sake”, “Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of Your name; And deliver us and forgive our sins for Your name’s sake” (Ps. 79:9 NAU).
God loves His glory that’s why He restores and guides us.
Everything must give glory to Him because He is Yahweh who created all things including us. He deserves our praises to Him as our response to His greatness and grace. He cares for us so that we can see and understand that being in Him is the only best place that we can ever be in contrast to what the world can offer and for the world to see His beauty through our life, and to give our worship to Him forever in Christ.
Be restored in God, be guided by our LORD through His word and Spirit.
In Jesus’ name. Amen.