He Restores My Soul

Scripture Text

Psalm 23:3

“He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.”

Reference

YouVersion Verse of the Day Devotional:

“Finding Rest in God”

This morning I woke up thinking about prayer... thinking about spending time with God. Even

now I smile a little because I caught it while reflecting — thinking about prayer is different from

actually praying. Awareness has a way of quietly exposing where we are.

Meanwhile Romie, my puppy, was up early wanting to play, chewing on things, picking things

up, running around being mischievous. Every time I would get on him and tell him to stop, he

would come right back and curl up on my feet or go lay down quietly in his bed.

And something about that touched my heart.

Even with all his energy and mischief, every time he willingly listened and obeyed, I could not

stay upset with him. I found myself just watching him.

Sometimes when there’s a loud noise, or when my wife gets after him, he runs and hides

behind me. Other times he simply curls up close beside me safe and at peace. He looks up at

me trusting.

And I thought to myself:

Imagine how God must feel when we obey willingly.

Not because we are forced.

Not because we are afraid.

But because we love Him and trust Him.

The devotional continued:

“Take time out today without distractions and spend time with Jesus. If you find that difficult,

that may be an indicator that your soul is not used to resting.”

That stayed with me.

Sometimes we become so busy doing for Jesus that we forget to simply be with Him.

Busy.

Moving constantly.

Always doing.

And eventually we become tired, weary, frustrated, irritated, anxious, emotionally drained,

lacking self-control, misunderstanding people and situations because our souls have not

rested.

But Psalm 23 reminds us:

He refreshes.

He renews.

He restores.

The Good Shepherd cares for His sheep.

As I sat listening to the rain this morning, I remembered being younger — hearing rain hit the

windows while cool air drifted through a partially opened window. The clean smell after the

rain. The soothing sound. Sometimes I would curl up under the blankets and simply rest in the

moment.

And honestly, that is what my soul longs for with God.

In prayer this morning I yearned for His presence. Not for things. Not for answers. Just

closeness.

Like Romie curling up near me for comfort, I found myself wanting to lay my head near the

Father and simply rest in His presence.

“ABBA Father...

I want You.

I want to be like You.

Teach me to love like You.

Teach me to forgive like You.

Let my life reflect Your righteousness.

Oh Lord, change me to be more like You.

I release anything I’m holding onto that keeps me from obeying You fully or loving You freely.

Have Your way.

I surrender unto You.

In Jesus name.”

Sometimes restoration is not loud or dramatic.

Sometimes it is simply the soul finally realizing where safety is.

The sheep do not survive by independence. They survive by remaining close to the Shepherd.

And maybe that is what restoration really looks like: returning close enough to rest again.