Article Display
Email  |  My Account  |  Donate
In Psalm 19:7 we read, "The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul...." It is God's Word applied to your mind, will, and emotions that brings conversion.

The word translated converting is the same word in Psalm 23:3 rendered restoreth. The shepherd of my soul brings conversion, and restoration into my life. He brings it through His Word and my responsibility is to simply receive.

I receive His thoughts! I receive His will! I receive His plans! When I do, they become mine, and I become His expression.

Step by step, I am coming into a freedom to live as God created me to live, Satan is no longer stealing my success, for I do not respond to his influence nor act on his inspirations.

The Lord is my Shepherd. He controls, influences, and rules over my soul because I yield to His Words, His will, and His inspirations.

Like Stray Sheep, Our Soul Is Restored
This idea of the Good Shepherd restoring my soul takes on a beautiful meaning when we know, as the shepherd David knew, the outcome of a stray sheep. Though it is difficult to understand, even in the care of the finest shepherd some sheep wander off from time to time. Likewise, after we have walked with God for some time, we can feel as though we're flat on our back and need to be restored.

Even David experienced defeat and the frustration of having fallen into a snare. He clearly knew the feeling of having no strength in himself. In Psalm 42:11 his heart cried, "Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God...."

Only someone as closely acquainted with sheep as David could fully appreciate the significance of a cast-down sheep. This is a term used by old English shepherds for a sheep that has turned over on its back and is unable to get up again by itself.

"Cast-Down" Sheep
Phillip Keller was once a shepherd, and in his book entitled, "A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23," he writes:
A "cast" sheep is a very pathetic sight. Lying on its back, its feet in the air, it flails away frantically struggling to stand up, without success. Sometimes it will bleat a little for help, but generally it lies there lashing about in frightened frustration. If the owner does not arrive on the scene within a reasonably short time, the sheep will die.
The way sheep become "cast" is very significant to us as Christians. As the sheep lies down, it may roll to one side to relax. But when the center of gravity in the body shifts, and its feet no longer touch the ground, it becomes helpless. It cannot bring itself back to its feet. Gases begin to build up in its stomach which retard the blood circulation.

This alone could bring death, but there is another worry. The "cast" sheep is an easy prey for any predator. It lies with its spindly legs straight up in the air, helplessly waiting to be found, hoping it will be found by its shepherd.

Look again at what causes the sheep to become "cast." The sheep found a comfortable place to lie down and relax. The book of Proverbs says, "Keep your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life" (Prov. 4:23 AMP). Proverbs 19:15 in the King James Version also says, "...an idle soul shall suffer hunger."

Do Not Cast Your Faith
You will never find the place where it is safe to relax your faith in God, or set aside your self-discipline. Satan looks on with anticipation for that point of weakness when you lie down. You must continually guard your inner life to keep the springs of life flowing within you.

The alert shepherd knows each of his sheep and quickly recognizes when one is missing. He realizes that each minute is critical. When the sheep is found, the shepherd tenderly rolls it over and stands it upright, rubbing its legs until the circulation returns. Then, guiding its steps, he brings it back into the secure surroundings of the flock.

God shows us the shepherd's heart again in one of the parables of Jesus.
What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?

And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.

And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbors, saying unto them, "Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost."
(Luke 15:4-6)
This parable expresses God's attitude towards people who are "cast down" or lost. He will rejoice when they are found.

Jesus brought this revelation of the heart of His Father in direct response to the grumbling of the Pharisees and Scribes. They did not approve of the people Jesus associated with. This parable again contradicted the Pharisaical attitude which said, "There is joy before God when those who provoke Him perish from the world."

God reaches out to be a shepherd to the lost. But what does it mean to be lost? There is the lostness of having no personal relationship with God. It can mean the lost desire for guidance and direction from the shepherd and the I'll-do-it-my-way attitude. It can even be the lostness of no longer feeling special to the important people in your life.

The greatest danger is when you do not know you have strayed, but the indicators in your life show that you have: You have lost interest in people; you have become insensitive to the problems they bring upon themselves; you only have words filled with negativism, judgment, and criticism.

You have actually lost contact with the true heart of God. You need a fresh experience with the Good Shepherd to be restored to real living.

He Restores Your Soul
When God finds men and women flat on their backs, He reaches out to lift them, putting them back on their feet, getting the circulation flowing again, and bringing them back to the protection of His rod and the direction of His staff.

He is the restorer of your soul. He will fill you with new thoughts to replace the discouragement. He will add clarity to His plans. He desires to free you from confusion, and reaches out to bring you the comfort of belonging.

"Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture" (Ps. 100:3).

Know that He looks beyond your frailties and mistakes, His love is constant, it never changes. He does not get fed up with you, but He looks beyond today and sees the possibilities that lie ahead.

Praise God!

Source: Knowing God Intimately by Dennis Burke
Excerpt permission granted by Dennis Burke Ministries

Author Biography

Dennis Burke, Ph.D.
Web site: Dennis Burke Ministries
 
Since 1979, Dennis Burke has led multitudes of believers into the biblical principles of faith, healing, love, prosperity, and righteousness. Through the Insights: the Way to a New Life magazine, books, eBooks, CDs, and mp3 resources, Dennis has brought revelation knowledge on the truths of God's Word. He has taught Christians everywhere to know God more deeply and overcome the challenges life brings through faith in God's Word.
Read more...

About Us

The online ministry of cfaith has been helping people discover faith, friends and freedom in the Word since 2000. Cfaith provides a unique and comprehensive collection of faith-building resources for the worldwide faith community.

At cfaith, you can strengthen your faith and deepen your understanding of the Word of God by digging into the vast collection of teaching articles, streaming audio and video messages, and daily devotionals. No other website offers such a unique and extensive collection of spiritual-growth resources aimed at helping you grow in your knowledge of the Word.

Read More...

 

 

Support Us

Why support cfaith?


(All contributions are 100% tax deductible)


SUPPORT CFAITH WITH ONE CLICK!

For every Internet search you make using
goodsearch, cfaith will receive one penny!

GS Logo 250x38

Contact Us

Business Hours:


Monday—Friday: 9 a.m.—5 p.m. CST
Saturday & Sunday: Closed

Phone:

(763) 488-7800 or (800) 748-8107

Mailing Address: 

CFAITH.com
9201 75th Avenue North
Brooklyn Park, MN 55428

 

Login Form

Please ignore the “Secret Key” field; it is not needed to log in to cfaith.

Login Change Article

Spring360x442
You need to enable user registration from User Manager/Options in the backend of Joomla before this module will activate.