The Divine Names: Jehovah Raah Pt. 3

Good Evening everyone...

This day has been exceptionally lovely and warm. However, it has also been very windy and we are going to drop from 72 to 40 degrees overnight. Typical NE Ohio spring weather:)

Tonight, I want to continue our series on the 23rd Psalm. We will continue to find rich blessings from our study of David's Psalm. Tonight, we will touch on the subject of our periodic need to have our souls refreshed and revived. 

Truly, the volume of cultural muck that surrounds us and the poisonous rhetoric spewed from so many directions, is discouraging and sometimes splatters onto us.  We really need Jehovah's cleansing revival and refreshment to be granted into our hearts. Jehovah Raah is willing and able to do this for His sheep.

Jehovah our Shepherd restores our souls and readies us for work.

Psalm 23:3 ³    He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

Sometimes our soul needs restoration. Sometimes we get off track and leave our first love, Jesus Christ. Sometimes we are easily distracted or swayed by the world's allures. Sometimes we are engulfed in trials or problems that are serious and sobering. Sometimes we are caught in affliction because of the consequences of someone else’s actions.

The word "restoreth" is a word that means to bring back or to cause us to turn back again. When we have strayed away from our LORD, we need to have our relationship repaired and that is what this beautiful word tells us Jehovah will do. 

Jehovah restores repentant souls with His  

sanctifying work.

Without Jehovah our Shepherd, we are quickly overwhelmed by trials, troubles and problems. Jehovah seeks to bring us back into close communion with Him. Jehovah restores our soul for His name’s sake. What others around us may think about the worth and reputation of our God, is impacted by how we live, what we say and what we do.

A restored soul is received when Jehovah cleanses us so that we are fully recovered from any lapse of faith on our part. Jehovah revives and reinvigorates our soul when we are oppressed by the world, the devil and our flesh. He restores our soul to moral purity and grants a fresh beginning.

Jehovah revives a dead or dry spirit and injects fresh life.

Psalm 63:1 O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;

Seeking God early in life, in our devotions or in our worship is always best for our soul. When we seek Him early we will really thirst for Him and deeply long for Him like someone craving water when stranded in the hot desert.

Psalm 119:25  My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word.

In this verse, the Psalmist is bogged down in the muck and mire of life in a sin cursed world. The word "cleaveth" means that he is stuck in the dust. He shows us what we need to do when we are in similar circumstances: cry out to Jehovah for help. 

He pleads for the quickening power of God in his life. The word "quicken" means that the word of God will keep us alive; it will impart fresh life and new vigor into our souls. 

This is the same word translated "revive" elsewhere in the Old Testament. 

Isaiah 57:15 For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. 

Psalm 119:28  My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word.

In this verse, it would seem that the Psalmist is overcome with troubles that are causing him emotional distress and anguish of heart. Jehovah will "strengthen" us. The word means to make us stand up again, after life has knocked us down or dealt us a hard blow. 

Jehovah then leads us back onto the paths of righteousness where He wants us to be. 

Jehovah our Shepherd will lead each one of us in the way that is best for us and at the pace that is suitable for us. 

POINTS TO PONDER......

• Are you mired down and stuck in the muck of this life?

• Does your soul seem to be lifeless or callous toward the things of God?

• Do the burdens of this life seem simply overwhelming and you feel helpless and hopeless?

• Do you want to have your life change????

Jehovah our Shepherd is fully aware of our condition. He cares about each sheep in His pasture and He will restore and revive your soul if you turn in repentant faith and call upon HIs glorious name. 

Seek Him early and often. Search His word and hunger for His truth. He is ready to revive the humble in spirit and those who have contrite hearts. I know, for He has done this for me many times. 

Bob