He Restores My Soul
The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul.
-Psalm 19:7a
I love it when Scriptures intermingle to create a perfect picture, a visual that just makes sense! I’ve been coming back to the classic psalm lately – 23 – where the Good Shepherd leads us beside still waters of refreshing. And where He restores our soul.
Then it hit me – restoration, like that of Psalm 19! What is it that does the restoration work on our soul? God’s Word! His Law – the sum of which is truth (Psalm 119:160). The complete package, in other words.
Jesus echoed Deuteronomy 8:3 when He said, man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4). He also told us in John 6:63 that His words were spirit and life.
Life! Via every word of God.
In my own life, I’ve needed to seek out rest, to be led by still waters of refreshing. The tumult has been intense. Maybe you can relate?
The psalmist could:
This is my comfort in my affliction,
that your promise gives me life. – Psalm 119:50
God’s promise? The implanted word (James 1:21) which is also described as the imperishable [seed]. (1 Peter 1:23).
The Giver of Living water (John 4:10,14) has promised us an eternal, abiding refreshing. A satisfying work of restoration, whereby we will never thirst again.
Consider a few more examples:
but [the blessed man’s] delight is in the law of the LORD,
and on his law he meditates day and night.
He is like a tree
planted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,
and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers.
– Psalm 1:2-3
A tree? Planted by streams of water? Maybe that living water, on which he meditates day and night?
Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD,
whose trust is the LORD.
He is like a tree planted by water,
that sends out its roots by the stream,
and does not fear when heat comes,
for its leaves remain green,
and is not anxious in the year of drought,
for it does not cease to bear fruit.
– Jeremiah 17:7-8
That tree doesn’t cease to bear fruit. And Jesus tells us to abide in Him to bear fruit. Who is He but the Word that became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth (John 1:1,14). Trusting in God, we are abiding in Him. In His Word. And there, we are satisfied, we are bearing fruit like a well-rooted, well-watered tree.
I would be remiss to not also consider that we are washed by this water of refreshing.
Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,
that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word,
so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle
or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.
– Ephesians 5:25-27
Sin has stained our garments. And our hearts. In Jesus’s high priestly prayer, He prays, sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth (John 17:17). To be sanctified, we are set apart as holy, and that first requires a good ol’ scrubbing away of the filth. God cannot dwell in the presence of sin, He is infinitely pure. And so, He washes us. In Truth. In His Word.
Washed to be fruitful.
Cleansed to be restored.
Redeemed and revived — what a glorious unfolding of grace!
The storms of life hit hard. I’ve been doused by torrential winds and rains. Maybe you have been too? Good thing for hope! For assurances of faith! As I’ve pressed into God’s promises, knowing my foundation is secure, I’ve seen the manifestation of God’s power perfected in my weakness. True to His Word, He arrives as my Rescuer. His rod and His staff, they guide and comfort me.
Hallelujah, what a Savior!
Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.
– Psalm 34:5
