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It’s easy to skip over the profound words of Psalm 23. Lately Psalm 23:3 has really stuck with me: He refreshes my soul. And I’ve been thinking, how does my soul find refreshment?

All of us know ways that bring a feeling of personal restoration - for me it’s time out in the sunshine, chatting with a treasured friend, birdwatching, devouring a good book, and a cold water swim in the ocean. Everyone has their own approach to re-calibrating in healthy, wonderful ways.

As we dig deeper into Psalm 23, we see how the Lord our Shepherd offers insights into how our souls are renewed, in ways that no-one or nothing else can. The first way God will restore us is bringing us back from wandering like sheep, turning to him in repentance and trust (Luke 15:4).

God brings renewal in v2 by giving his sheep rich abundant grass and waters of rest, quenching thirst and hunger. He supplies all we need, leaving us in want of nothing (v1). In other words, He cares for his sheep so completely that nothing is missing.

The Psalm also tells us that wholeness and restoration won’t happen without following paths of righteousness. I love that God is leading, he’s ahead on these paths, he shows us the way to secure and life-giving paths.

Through the rest of the Psalm, we see the Lord personally protecting (v4), guiding (v3), and giving goodness and love (v6). David the Psalmist was clearly in some desperate times as he speaks of dark valleys and facing enemies, yet God is with him, his very presence is refreshing and comforting.

In our church services recently, we’ve heard how the Lord restores his sheep in stunning ways in Ezekiel 34:16 - rescuing, binding up wounds, strengthening and bringing justice. And in John 10, we’ve been reminded that following Jesus is closely linked also to hearing the voice of our Shepherd. We are refreshed by his words in the Scriptures, and nourished in every season of life with “rivers of living water.” (John 7:37-38).

Here’s a good moment to check in: Am I listening to the Shepherd’s voice, or are competing voices (media, friends, online) drowning out his voice? Am I walking on His paths of righteousness, or do I think I’ve got a better path? Am I drawing from the richness of God’s words to quench my spiritual thirst?

Think of the alternative without our Shepherd: “I’m on my own. No one looks after me. I can work out my own best path. I’m always restless. The dark valley is terrifying.”

This Psalm, although it’s very familiar, is one you may need to say to yourself today, for all kinds of reasons, reminding ourselves that the good Shepherd (John 10:11), the chief Shepherd (1 Peter 5:4), the great Shepherd (Hebrews 13:20) will restore our souls to life in all its fullness.

And then what a picture that one day the Lamb will be the Shepherd, wiping away all our tears (Rev 7:17). That’s a glimpse of true renewal.

May the Lord our Shepherd restore your heart, mind and soul, as together we walk the road of faith as a church family.