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It is grace that takes you from where you are, to where God wants you to be. God is the exalted Head over all, who leads you in your life, when you are His child. King David acknowledges it in his prayer of thanksgiving, as he describes the greatness of the God who reigns over all in majestic goodness. ‘Yours O Lord is the greatness; the power and the glory; the victory and the majesty, For all that is in heaven and earth is yours; Yours is the kingdom O Lord, and you are exalted as Head over all. Both riches and honor come from you, and you reign over all. In your hand is power and might; in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. [1 Chronicles 29:11,12]
David experienced God’s leadership all through his life. It is a truth that comes shining through in the poetry of his psalms, and in his prayer of gratitude. And God remains the same even today, to be the leader in your life and mine. The twenty third psalm, is the beautiful picture painted by David, where he compares the loving leadership of God, to that of a gentle and good shepherd caring for his flock. The Lord is my shepherd, and I shall not want; He makes me to lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside still waters, He restores my soul. He causes me to walk in paths of righteousness. [Psalm 23:1-3] It may be a portion of scripture that you have often heard; but the faith that comes by hearing, has a component of intelligence in it. Therefore, it is hearing the word with understanding that brings a true conviction of the soul, which in turn leads to a change in conduct. And it all begins with a relationship in which God becomes, not, the shepherd, but ‘your’ shepherd.
The Lord is your shepherd
Your walk with God is always a reflection, or an outflow of your relationship with Him. And when your relationship with Him is strong, you will be strong in all aspects of your life. It is also a relationship that cannot be reduced to a couple of hours of church attendance, but one that needs to be continually present, all through each day of your life, and all through your life. And in the intimacy of this close and continuous walk with the Lord, you will be led by Him to a place of rest in green pastures, and beside still waters. Even when times of lack and want occasionally arise in your life, David’s confession can be yours too; you can proclaim that you shall not want, for the Lord is your shepherd; and though you may not see it yet, you can then rest in the truth that He will richly provide all that you need in life. Your lack is temporary; His blessing of provision though, is permanent. And believing in faith, you can cast all your care on the Lord who cares for you, to see your soul return to it’s rest once more. And it is in the place of rest, that you are restored to walk in the paths of righteousness. In rest, the Lord restores your soul. His restoration is
1) A renewing of your strength:
They who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength [Isaiah 40:31] says the word of God. It is a waiting on God and not a waiting for God. He is already there; for He has promised never to leave or forsake you. It is as you wait on Him, with your focus and attention fixed on Him, that you become sensitive to the specific word of God that the Spirit speaks in you. It is what is particularly relevant to you, at that point of time in your life. And as you receive the word rightly, your soul is restored and your strength renewed, to see you mounting up on wings as eagles.
2) A refreshing:
The Lord’s restoration is a refreshing of your soul, as He takes you back to the place of Him being your first love. It is to love Him as you did in the beginning of your walk with Him, when He took first place in every aspect of your life. He refreshes you, by restoring your soul to your faith setting. And the beauty of being a new creation in Christ is revealed once again, to see all your old fears and failures pass away.
The process of restoration
How is your soul restored, in order to live for the glory of God ? There is a basic, fundamental truth underlying your make-up as a human being. And it needs to be understood rightly; for, it is the knowing and understanding of the truth that sets you free.
You are a spirit, soul and body
Man has been created by God as a tripartite being, having a spirit, soul and a body. You are a spirit – you have a soul – and, you live in a body. There is also a divine order to it, with firstly, the spirit, then the soul, and lastly the body. When the order is disturbed, it leads to disorder, as the devil then infiltrates stealthily to cause confusion and chaos. He is the prince of the power of the air; he takes control of your thought life, and leads you to fulfill the desires of the flesh and the carnal mind. [Ephesians 2:2,3]
Your mind, emotions and will
The components of your soul are your mind, emotions and your will. And God desires the right involvement of your soul in its entirety, that you may prosper and accomplish great things in and through Him, for His glory. The three are intertwined in their functionality, and mode of operation. Your mind is the thinker; emotions give rise to feelings; and your will, is then the decider, resulting in your action. Even in human relationships, you will find that when a person is dependent only on his feelings, it can easily lead to an infatuation that cannot last. And when only the mind is involved, to the exclusion of your emotions, you will be operating like a machine, and doing things just as a duty, only to lose the joy of life. Also, in the makeup of your soul, there is a divine order – your mind, emotions and will. Therefore, if as the devil attempts to do, your thought life is wrongly influenced, your feelings will then be wrong, which would consequently lead your will into making wrong decisions. It would be impossible for you then, to walk in the paths of righteousness.
Even as your soul prospers
Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. [3 John 2] This is much more than an opening greeting; it is a truth that is theologically profound. For, when your soul prospers, then wherever you go in life, even in the parched places, the lonely and desolate land, you will turn it into a blooming garden. It is why the Lord desires to restore your soul. In your spirit, you are already blessed.
Blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ. [Ephesians 1:3] You are already blessed; it is in the ‘past’ tense. The ‘tense’ is important; for when you know and understand the ‘tense’, you will no longer be tense in your life’s challenging circumstances ! The divine order of the functioning of your being is 1) spirit, 2) soul, and lastly, 3) your body. And the scripture above establishes the truth that every spiritual blessing, which is every blessing that comes through the enabling of the Spirit is already yours. Therefore,
You are a blessed person
The Holy Spirit comes to dwell in you, when you receive Christ as your Lord and Savior in your heart; every blessing that comes through His enabling is already yours. It is why you are a blessed person already. And so, though you may be in the midst of a threatening problem, you need not be stuck in it, but rather can overcome it and be victorious. It is where your soul plays a key role.
Your soul – the gateway
The blessing of God that is already present in your spirit needs a gateway, to be visibly manifested and experienced in your natural, physical body. If the ‘super’ has to touch your natural, to make it ‘supernatural’, a gateway is needed. And your soul becomes the gateway, for in the divine order of your person-hood, it lies between your spirit, and your body, connecting the two. Christ has done it all on the Cross of Calvary and also made full and complete provision for your abundant life, through the enabling of the Holy Spirit in you. But, for it to be applied and appropriated in your life, your soul needs to be renewed. For otherwise, it will end up blocking what God has already blessed you with in your spirit; hinder it from flowing into the natural realm, to be manifested and experienced in your physical body.
‘If you only knew..’
The Lord spoke with compassion to the Samaritan woman who was unable initially to receive the truth, because, her mind was conformed to the pattern of the world. ‘If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you ‘Give me a drink’ – You would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water’. [John 4:10] When the conversation began, with a mind that was not renewed, she only saw Him as a Jew, and so spoke of the long history of animosity and the racial division that existed between them. But as the conversation progressed, she perceived him to be a prophet. And then, the Lord said to her, ‘If you only knew…’, for, it is, knowing the truth that sets you free.
Knowing who He is
Truth is a person, Jesus Christ; and knowing Him is to know the Father. It is to have eternal life. He is the Eternal Word; the Word was with God; the Word was God. He created the whole earth; assigned to the sea, it’s limit that the waves can come thus far, and no further. He was the Lord who changed water into wine, the bitter waters of Marah into sweet. He was the Great I AM, who separated the Red Sea by the word that He spoke unto Moses. And to this Great God, she said, ‘Sir, the well is too deep, and you have nothing in which you can draw water’. [John 4:11]
He is the God who is able
Many people, like the woman at the well, go to God in prayer, not having the faintest idea of what the Lord God Almighty can do in their lives. They may even think that they are being very understanding, and self sacrificing, in not asking for much ! But this is His overwhelming promise to you,‘Most assuredly, I say unto you, whatever you ask the Father in My Name, He will give you… Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full’. [John 16:23,24] The Samaritan woman did not know that standing in front of her, was the One who could satisfy her thirst with living water so that she may thirst no more !
To know Him more and more
It is why, knowing Him, and knowing Him more and more is so vitally important, in your walk with Christ. It will take you to a place of rest in knowing, that there are certain things that you need not even ask for, they will be added unto you ! King Solomon, even in his dream, asked of God, what was pleasing to Him. And God rewarded him, by adding to him, much more riches and honor that would be unrivaled among all the kings of his days.
God knows your need already:
When you go to Him in prayer you are approaching the One who knows it all; He knows all that you are going through in your life. And when you receive, know, and understand this truth you will then, also know that He will surely address your need, in His way, and in His time. And therefore, in confidence and rest, you will be able to declare, that it is well with your soul. For, He is the Lord, your Maker. You have been created by Him, individually and uniquely. He also watches over you, caring for you at an individual level, to restore your soul when it is troubled. You can see this truth illustrated very powerfully in the scriptures, in the lives of three individuals who went through sorrow and pain, but received restoration from the Lord.
1) Troubled – by his purpose:
Therefore, the king said to me, ‘Why is your face sad, since you are not sick ? This is nothing but sorrow of heart (a pain in the mind). [Nehemiah 2:2] The ruined walls of Jerusalem and his burden concerning the rebuilding of it, was what troubled the mind of Nehemiah. He was in the palace, the cup-bearer to the king; but he knew with painful clarity in his mind, that his purpose lay elsewhere. A pain in the body can be diagnosed and medicated, to bring a certain amount of relief. But a pain that fills your mind, your soul, that makes you question your purpose in life maybe even to the extent of thinking, ‘Why should I live ?’, cannot be brushed away, or healed that easily.
Only God can restore the soul that is so broken down. The hand of God and the favor of God came upon Nehemiah, restoring his soul and strengthening him to accomplish his purpose, in rebuilding the walls. Today, you may be in a position where you think your life is wrecked and ruined beyond all hope of redemption or restoration. But, the Lord’s promise to you is,
Ruins will be rebuilt
He restores your soul, to make you rise up and walk in paths of righteousness, reclaiming your purpose and destiny in Christ.
2) Troubled – by her lack and inability:
It is the picture of Hannah. She was deeply troubled in her soul, for she did not have a child of her own. And being mocked for it would have only added insult to her injury. When you suffer lack in life, and it is not possible for you to do anything about it, your mind can be engulfed by pain, as was Hannah’s. But, Hannah in her sorrow, rightly, turned to the Lord, pouring out her heart to Him. [1 Samuel 1:2-18] And God restores every hurting soul that comes to Him. Hannah’s face therefore, was no longer sad, as she received and rested in God’s word of promise that Eli, the priest, spoke to her. There are plenty of hurting people in the world today. And when they are not healed of their mental pain and anguish, they only end up hurting others. For, on being insulted unjustly, people will respond invariably in two ways – the weak person will crumple up in tears, while the one who is mentally tough can retaliate violently, using physical force even. But God is in the business of restoring souls and what rest and comfort this truth can bring to every soul that is troubled, even today !
3) Troubled – by many bitter experiences:
Joseph, even as a young boy would have had many emotional scars. He was hurt by people close to him, and also by people from afar. The blessing of Israel, his beloved father, upon him, captures it all very aptly. It not only portrays his mind numbing pain, but also his overcoming victory. Joseph is a fruitful bough, a fruitful bough by a well; His branches run over the wall. The archers have bitterly grieved him, shot at him and hated him. But his bow remained in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong; By the hand of the mighty God of Jacob. [Genesis 44:22-24]
Words can hurt like arrows:
Bitter, hurtful words that people speak against you can be like arrows or swords. The arrow can be aimed at you even from afar, from people who are not so close to you. To attack with the sword though, the person needs to come near. But the one who is close to you, can suddenly turn to hurt and betray you – to do the classic ‘You too, Brutus act ! And, it happens even now !
Joseph experienced it all
He was rejected and cast away by his own brothers. And in the Potiphar’s house, he experienced the ‘use and throw’ principle that people employ even now, against the weak and the helpless. The house of Potiphar was blessed by the efficiency of Joseph, because God was with him. But instead of being lifted up, a false accusation saw him being sent to prison unjustly. Give honor to those whom honor is due, the Bible declares. But if people have used you to build up their life or work, and then crushed you and thrown you away, or have ignored and mistreated you, instead of appreciating you, it can be extremely painful. But, you have a God who knows it all. Therefore, broken and bruised you may be, but God will restore your soul.
His bow remained strong
It describes Joseph in his unjust circumstances. And when you go through undeserved pain, standing strong needs to be your posture too; with a confession of faith and trust that proclaims, ‘I will stand upright and firm in my circumstance, for the Lord has prepared a banquet for me and my cup overflows’.
Resting in the strength of God
Joseph’s bow remained strong as it rested in the strength that cannot fail him, the hand of the mighty God of Jacob. And so can you. You can come to God with many weights that burden you. But you can rest, casting all your cares on Him, for He cares for you. When the blessing of God is upon you, no matter where you are, in the pit or in the prison, you will always be above, for the God who was with Joseph, will be with you too. t is the truth that brought restoration in Joseph’s soul; and even while he was in the prison, he was being refined by God’s word, and prepared for the throne ahead. For, when the soul is wounded and bleeding, it will not have the capacity to receive the goodness of God to pass it on to others. And even in your life, you may have become like a crushed flower, losing your form and fragrance; but, you have a God who restores your soul. Therefore, You will bloom and blossom again.
The path to God’s restoration
It is revealed in the names that Joseph gave to his two sons; he named his first son, Manasseh which meant, ‘The Lord has made me forget’. Whenever he called his son by his name, Joseph was declaring this to his own soul ‘more than the evil that people have done to me, God has done greater good things in my life’. It needs to be your perspective too, when God restores your soul and lifts you up.
‘The Lord has made me fruitful’
‘Ephraim’, the name that Joseph gave to his second son, meant precisely this, ‘The Lord has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction’. If you have been grieved in your work, your home, or in your relationships, the days are coming in your life too when you will name something in particular, to say the same; that the Lord has made you fruitful in the land of your grief. For, the Lord restores your soul that you may be effective in the place of your promotion.
Change happens in His time:
It may take time. But as you come again and again to hear God’s word, and confess in faith, the answering word that He gives you, change will certainly come. And one fine day, you who may be now, in the darkness of the dungeon, will begin to rise and shine again. For, even as you are being refined by God’s word, He is preparing a throne for you ! He is giving dreams to somebody and it’s interpretation to you. He will give keys in your hand that can unlock prison doors, to set the captives of the enemy free. He is making you fruitful. And it is by resting in God’s strength, that you resist the devil, and the archer’s arrow. In rest, you are restored.
The CROSS – the place of restoration:
The Lord is close to the broken-hearted. [Psalm 34:8] He is the God who heals the broken-hearted. [Psalm 147:3] On the Cross of Calvary, a divine exchange has already taken place. The Savior has died for you, carrying away not just your sin, but also all your pain and sorrow. It is nailed to the Cross, you bear it no more, therefore, it is well with your soul !
Made bold with strength in your soul
In the day I cried out, you answered me; And made me bold with strength in my soul. [Psalm 138:3] The psalmist’s experience will become yours too; and you too will be able to confidently declare, The Lord will accomplish all that concerns me. [Psalms 138:8]
How will you have this confident assurance ?
It is because, the Lord has restored your soul, renewed your mind, and the joy of the Lord, has become your strength. You will no longer be anxious or troubled, for you will know that the Lord will perfect and accomplish all that concerns you. He is even now, renewing and refreshing you, bringing you to the place He has ordained for you. And Most assuredly You will blossom again !
There may be pain in your life right now, heart –breaking pain; but you have a compassionate High Priest, who since He Himself has suffered, is now able to sympathize with your weaknesses, and help you in your time of need. Lord Jesus cures your pain. Therefore, as you wait on Him, and find your rest in His word to you, may your soul be restored, refreshed in His presence to rise up and soar in the paths that He has designed for you. And if you have been bruised emotionally, treated unfairly in life and you feel broken and crushed within you, this is God’s word to you.
You will bloom and blossom once again !
In the Name of Christ Jesus Amen.
