He restores my soul. Psalm 23:3 NKJV
I am a fan of The Voice, a television show with four celebrity judges who hear contestants sing for the opportunity to be selected for a season of training and competition and eventually win a major contract. The only thing I don’t like about the show happens every night. Someone – sometimes several someone’s – gets deeply disappointed. They have hoped, dreamed, perhaps even prayed, for this chance of a lifetime to be chosen by one of their favorite well-known celebrity musicians for their team. When they sing and no one turns their chair signifying the contestant has been chosen, the disappointment and sense of rejection can practically be tasted through the screen.
But the disappointed competitors have a wonderful experience. The celebrity judges affirm them and tell them the things that are wonderfully special about them. They tell them why they didn’t turn their chairs and what to work on to guarantee the success they know is possible in the future. While everyone is disappointed, the ones who take the words of the judges seriously find their souls and spirits restored. The contestants are reminded that every successful artist has had plenty of “no’s” in their past, and this “no” is not the end. Stay in the game.
And it is a delight every night to see someone who has returned from a prior season get chairs turned, having taken the advice to the core of his or her restored soul. They are on the way again!
That’s what God, the Good Shepherd, has planned for His broken-hearted, down-spirited sheep. He understands our deep sense of disappointment and even rejection when we expect something we don’t get from Him. He never rejects us. His plan is for us to stay close enough to hear Him speak to us. He knows He is going to meet our every need. He will lead us beside still waters for the cool refreshment. If we follow as He tenderly leads us, we will find ourselves in green pastures. While perhaps we will not be where we wanted to be, we will begin to realize we are just where we need to be. He will restore our souls.
More than anything else for which we could ever dream or hope, we need the Good Shepherd. Perhaps a time of disappointment and uncertainty is your experience right now. It may be that frustration and sadness have weighed you down, and you are mentally, spiritually, emotionally, and physically exhausted. You need to call out to your Shepherd. He is standing, waiting – ready to lead you to the fresh pastures where your soul will be refreshed and restored.
- Run on your weary legs to the Shepherd. You will find that He will restore your soul, and goodness and mercy will follow you all the way home.