When we have spent time at the quiet deep waters and in the green lush pastures, we find the result in the beginning of the next verse, “He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake.” (vs. 3) He restores our souls. That is such a tremendous promise.
Today you cannot turn on the television without seeing an advertisement for some herbal concoction or new pill to counter stress and renew energy. It is obvious how our world, which in large part, has rejected the one source of true restoration. And yet, they continue to look for renewal and freedom from stress. Conversely, I cannot tell you of the countless people I have known that, although they have been through so much physically, emotionally and mentally and yet in the strength of the Lord, always have something to give and always are ready to encourage. They can do this not through their will power, but because they regularly lie down in green pastures and drink deep of the still waters. The prophet Isaiah offers this version of the same promise, “Yet those who wait for the LORD will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.” (40:31)
The promise of restoration is so important because we must walk in this life. Everyday, we choose our paths. Proverbs 14:12 says, “There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” Contrary to popular belief, there are right paths and there are wrong paths. But when we linger at the deep waters and in the green pastures, we are guided in the paths of righteousness. These are the paths that do not lead to destruction. The Psalmist describes how to know the right paths from the wrong, “Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path.” (119:105) Friends the more we stay in God’s word, the less likely we are to follow the paths that will destroy us.
At the end of this path is God’s glory, “for His namesake.” When we shine, He shines. I read this morning in Hosea 6, that God doesn’t long for our religious activity and empty rituals, but rather, he longs for us to be what He designed us for and to do it for His glory. That is when we will most experience true joy. Have your been restored recently? What are you waiting for?
Today you cannot turn on the television without seeing an advertisement for some herbal concoction or new pill to counter stress and renew energy. It is obvious how our world, which in large part, has rejected the one source of true restoration. And yet, they continue to look for renewal and freedom from stress. Conversely, I cannot tell you of the countless people I have known that, although they have been through so much physically, emotionally and mentally and yet in the strength of the Lord, always have something to give and always are ready to encourage. They can do this not through their will power, but because they regularly lie down in green pastures and drink deep of the still waters. The prophet Isaiah offers this version of the same promise, “Yet those who wait for the LORD will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.” (40:31)
The promise of restoration is so important because we must walk in this life. Everyday, we choose our paths. Proverbs 14:12 says, “There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” Contrary to popular belief, there are right paths and there are wrong paths. But when we linger at the deep waters and in the green pastures, we are guided in the paths of righteousness. These are the paths that do not lead to destruction. The Psalmist describes how to know the right paths from the wrong, “Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path.” (119:105) Friends the more we stay in God’s word, the less likely we are to follow the paths that will destroy us.
At the end of this path is God’s glory, “for His namesake.” When we shine, He shines. I read this morning in Hosea 6, that God doesn’t long for our religious activity and empty rituals, but rather, he longs for us to be what He designed us for and to do it for His glory. That is when we will most experience true joy. Have your been restored recently? What are you waiting for?
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