RESTORATION

The analogy of Psalm 23 is God as our Shepherd and we as His sheep. God is on a mission to restore us and His kingdom in us and through us.

As a shepherd, David understood the analogy of God as his shepherd. David, although anointed as a young boy, was not appointed as king until many years later. There were sheep to tend to, giants to face, wild animals to slay, and enemies to defeat. All of which were preparation to lead a kingdom. It wasn’t that he hadn’t been anointed but the appointed time as king had not yet come.

When he was anointed, he was in the field, doing his work and worshiping the Lord. He wasn’t seen. Samuel had overlooked him because he was still grieved over God rejecting Saul as king. David was out in the field working, worshiping and taking care of the sheep. While he was about his father’s business, Samuel and Jesse his father had gathered all his brothers together to anoint the next king. Eliab had the stature of Saul and assumed the appearance of the next king. But God! He looked at the heart of David. Samuel said “The Lord has not chosen these. Are all your sons here?” and Jesse said “there remains the youngest but behold he is keeping the sheep.” Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers. And the SPIRIT of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward.

He didn’t become king that day. He received the anointing not the appointing. He was still a shepherd. He still had to do the work and go through the process. He learned not to want and all of his needs were provided by his Shepherd. David accepted what was given to him and used his giftings. He was a shepherd, a musician, a warrior and finally a king. More importantly in all of these things, he fell short of the glory of God many times. Yet, the Lord had mercy on him because of his heart.

God gave him supernatural peace to rest in the midst of his trials. He didn’t need all the answers; he just needed to follow the one who had the answers. He rested in the provision of green pastures and the lifesource of the still waters which restored his soul.

David’s soul was restored through God's faithfulness as he was led in paths of righteousness. He learned how to carry the name of the king and lead the earthly kingdom that would bring forth his seed, the savior, our redeemer and restorer of all things, King “Jesus.”

David would stray from God’s ways but God’s faithfulness drew him back into his plan. When David made mistakes, God didn’t cancel his plan of restoration. David was repentant and God showed him comfort. He didn’t always take away the consequences but He loved David into restoration. David’s hope was in Him. God got the glory because David was least likely and deserving to be the king.

There were many times David would face betrayal, death threats, and his enemies rose up against him. At times he brought it on himself. At times he felt he was closed in the valley of the shadow of death, yet God was still with him. He was quick to accept the discipline and direction of his Shepherd and the comfort of knowing He was leading him in paths of righteousness. Charles Spurgeon said “Death in its substance has been removed, and only the shadow of it remains…. Nobody is afraid of a shadow, for a shadow cannot stop a man’s pathway even for a moment. The shadow of a dog cannot bite; the shadow of a sword cannot kill; the shadow of death cannot destroy us.” David knew that in the presence of his Shepherd, he had no need to fear. Evil would not ultimately consume him.

God showed David even from his moment of anointing that he would set the table in the presence of his enemies. He knew the source of the anointing, the source of the provision and the source of the answers. God responded to his desire to know Him. David’s cup was always overflowing. He had great faith in his Shepherd. God’s faithfulness to David was goodness and mercy despite his shortcomings. He was a friend of God and dwelt in His presence. He declared all the days of his life he would serve and live in the house of the Lord.

May we be like David, found doing His work, submissive to the Shepherd’s leading and after His heart.

PSALM 23

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He makes me lie down in green pastures.

He leads me beside still waters.

3 He restores my soul.

He leads me in paths of righteousness

for his name’s sake.

4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil,

for you are with me;

your rod and your staff,

they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me

in the presence of my enemies;

you anoint my head with oil;

my cup overflows.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

all the days of my life,

and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD

forever.