Psalm 23 | I Shall Not WantSample

Verse 3. “He refreshes and restores my soul (life); He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.” [AMP]

The Message paraphrase says it plainly like this:

“True to Your word, You let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction.” [MSG]

Your being refreshed and restored actually will bring glory to God’s name! Let me take it a little out there to remind you that your being exhausted, depleted, bogged down, and broken isn’t great branding for His Kingdom. His representatives should look cared for, replenished, energized, preserved, abundantly provided for.

...your being exhausted, depleted, bogged down, and broken isn’t great branding for His Kingdom.

Every mother who has sent her child to kids’ camp understands this visual. You pack all the clean clothes [sometimes the overachievers even go to the trouble of prepping each day’s outfit in its own gallon plastic bag, labeled for use]. You give the child the tutorial on what to wear each day, where to put the dirty clothes after they've been worn, when to take a shower, how often to brush his teeth. And then your child comes home with only a handful of clothing items actually soiled. In your head, you then visualize all the other campers and staff considering how sorry of a mother you are, your child wearing the same disgusting outfit, day after day. Poor representation of your provision, right!?

Your provision looks good on your Shepherd. He's a Good Shepherd. A faithful Shepherd. A good shepherd of sheep knows that a well-rested, well-fed sheep produces better wool, births healthy ewes to grow his flock, sells better at the market. And so it is with you and me. When we are well-rested, well-fed in every area of our lives, we represent our Shepherd better. We love more freely. We grow deeper spiritually. We reach the lost and disciple them more efficiently. And we are far more likely to finish life's race to earn His approval, "Well done, My good and faithful servant."

Dig a Little Deeper:

1. How have you shunned God's provision of rest, resources, or renewal in your personal life?

2. If you're leading a family, how can you better model rest and refreshing in the care of your Shepherd?