The Lord is my shepherd
I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures
He leads me beside the still waters
He restores my soul.  Psalm 23:3
Have you ever been downcast?

Psalms 42:11 “ Why are you downcast, O my soul ? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God!
David had!  He had spent many years running from Saul, hiding in caves, sleeping in the forest and tending sheep in the wilderness. David was a hero, a man after God’s own heart.  He was brave, a warrior for Israel. He fought 9 foot Philistines when no one else in Israel would.  He played his harp to soothe Saul when he was angry.  He loved Jonathan like a brother.  He would not touch God’s anointed, King Saul.

David spent many hours alone.  I assume during those times he had lots of conversations with God.  How could he be that close to God and still be “downcast” in his soul.  

After studying I Samuel this quarter in Sunday School, I got to know David better.  Yes, he was all those things I mentioned.  But he was also a murderer, an adulterer, for almost 8 months some bible scholars believe he was a backslidden child of God.  He was run out of town many times because the people rejected him. Having David in town was like a kiss of death since Saul was hunting him.  

It was not until he return from battle that he and his army found all their wives and children capture by the Amalekites.  The city was burned nothing left but the ashes.  I Samuel 30: 6 “Now David was greatly distressed for the people spoke of stoning him because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and his daughters.  But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God.”  He had been running his own life for 1 ½ years.  We find in I Samuel 27:1 that David allied with to the King of Gath. It was the beginning of the path away from his troubles and his God.  David says, “Now I shall perish someday by the hand of Saul. There is nothing better for me than that I should speedily escape to the land of the Philistines and Saul will despair of me, to seek me anymore in any part of Israel.”  For the next 18 months, he allies with a foreign king.  A no-no for God’s people.

Now back to the He restores my soul.

David was not crowned King of Israel for at least 15 years after Samuel first called him from the fields.   David experience many times of loneliness, away from his family, fighting, constantly in  battle.  He must have been weary of leading that band of stragglers that were with him.

 Psalms 23 is not the writing of an inexperienced teenage boy who shepherds sheep for his father.  It is a song of a matured, seasoned veteran of life’s hardships.

 David has learned that it is His God, the LORD Jehovah Roi, where he finds rest and refreshing.  He runs to the Shepherd who is ever present, always providing and caring for his children.

He restores my soul.  It is a picture of returning from wandering.  It is recharging of spiritual batteries that have run down from testings and battles of the day.  

How do we tap into this reviving of our souls that our downcast and weary?  There are two ways we are restored and refreshed.

1. His Word.  Psalms 19:7 “The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul..” II Timothy 3: 16-17 “ All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
2. His People In Philemon verse 7, we read that Paul writes, “Your love has given me much joy and comfort, my brother, for your kindness has often refreshed the hearts of God’s people. When we comfort one another, we refresh one another’s soul.

The Lord is my Shepherd… He tends to my wanderings, he sets my feet on solid ground, he is the lifter of my head when darkness overtakes me.  Yes thank you. thank you. thank you.

Jehovah Roi is  “The LORD is my Shepherd”.  There is something in a name.  Studying the names of God will give you insight into the character of God.  I love the study by Kay Arthur on the Names of God.  It will enrich your soul!

Shepherd of my Soul

Shepherd of my soul, I give you full control,
Wherever You may lead I will follow.
I have made the choice to listen for Your voice,
Wherever You may lead I will go.
Be it in a quiet pasture or by a gentle stream,
The Shepherd of my soul is by my side.
Should I face a mighty mountain, or a valley dark and deep,
The Shepherd of my soul will be my guide.
Shepherd of my soul, oh, You have made me whole,
Wherever I hear You call how my tears flow.
How I feel your love, how I want to serve
I gladly give my heart to You, oh Lord.
Be it in the flowing river or in the quiet night,
The Shepherd of my soul is by my side.
Should I face the stormy weather, or the dangers of this world.
The Shepherd of my soul will be my guide.