23: Treasures Within Psalm 23Sample

23

DAY 3: REDEMPTION

He restores my soul. He leads me in the path of righteousness for his name’s sake. Psalm 23:3

To restore something usually means to return it to its former condition. Old cars or houses, whose condition has been tarnished or weathered by time or lack of preservation, need restoration. God built us in His image, but when sin and free will entered the scene, we began the process of decay. Our souls are comprised of our mind, will, and emotions. These direct our actions and have eternal implications if left unaddressed. Like the old rusty car, if we leave our souls out in the rain of the world’s temptations, we also become a restoration project. Based on the sin template set for us in the Garden of Eden, God knew we would need some sanding and polishing, so he promised to “restore our soul and lead us in the path of righteousness for His name’s sake.”

Redemption is good news. God purchased it for the price of His son, Jesus. The gruesome death on a cross became our coupon or voucher for eternal salvation. There is no greater love than the redemption God provides through a relationship with Jesus Christ. There is a path of righteousness available to all of us, and the good news is, it’s not a DIY project (Do It Yourself). We don’t have the capability or the power to do it ourselves. Many of us have tried and failed. God knows we need a Savior and a roadmap for living a righteous life. Not a perfectly flawless or sin-free life, but one that desires and pursues righteousness. Redemption requires repentance. Repentance, turning away from sin and walking in a different direction, proves our intent of pursuing a righteous existence. He wants to know that our hearts desire a different path, one that leads to Him. “For His name’s sake” means that we bring honor and glory to Him by the path we decide to travel. We are called to magnify and glorify His name to all who are witnessing our walk with the Lord. We were promised heaven when we deserved hell. Our souls have been restored, and our paths to righteousness have been determined by simply receiving redemption through repentance.

CHALLENGE:

What does redemption mean to you?

What area of your life needs repentance?