“The word of the Lord came to me: 2 “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel … 4 You have not strengthened the weak or healed the sick or bound up the injured. You have not brought back the strays or searched for the lost. … 11 “‘For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will search for my sheep and look after them. 12 As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered … ” Ezekiel 34:1, 2, 4, 11, 12 NIV Read full chapter
This prophecy began to be fulfilled when Jesus was born in Bethlehem. As the Good Shepherd, Jesus ministered to the crowds, who were like wandering sheep without a shepherd. Jesus not only cares for the sheep, He laid down His life for them. (Jeremiah Study Bible Notes)
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” John 10:11 NIV
“For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves” Colossians 1:13 NIV
In His Love, Cindy
Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May they prosper who love you.”
For too many women, their past has dealt a cruel blow. I know women who have been betrayed, rejected, abused, and/or traumatized in terrible ways. One doesn’t just get over it and move on easily. The abuse may have affected her whole personality. Abuse can do that.
Step Up for Mental Health states, “Women who endure physical or emotional abuse tend to suffer from … post-traumatic stress (PTSD), depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and suicidal thoughts.”
Some of the effects of trauma include flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety, and uncontrollable thoughts.
But let me move on to the good news. The Good Shepherd restores my soul. That’s what Psalm 23:3 tells me.
“He restoreth my soul”
The Hebrew word for restore is sub. It means to recover, to bring back, to restore.
To restore means to bring back to a former, original, or normal condition; to bring back to a state of health, soundness, or vigor;
Have you ever had a piece of antique furniture restored? When you pick it up, it’s been restored to its original condition. No more scratches, no dull finish. It’s been restored to its original beauty!
The Hebrew word for soul is nepes. It refers to the life, the soul, the seat of emotion and desire.
We are not warped for life because of what may have been done to us in the past. God says He restores our soul. He will restore our soul to what it should be. He will heal our soul from the effects of past hurts, abuse, wrongs, trauma, and pain.
If you have endured abuse of any kind, you have likely read about how it can affect you. You may have read about depression, anxiety, PTSD, etc. You may even think of yourself as damaged goods. So now what?
Now it’s time to let your Father God restore your soul. Trust Him to do it. He loves you.
Not only will He restore your soul. He will use those past hurts to help others. You will have a compassionate heart that understands.
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
God will use those past hurts for good.
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28
My prayer is that you will allow God to heal your hurts and pain, and restore your soul. If you have never memorized the 23rd Psalm, consider doing it now. It will be a healing balm to your soul.
Psalm 23 KJV
In His Love, Cindy
Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?
All Scripture references are from the NIV unless otherwise noted.
“See, the Sovereign Lord comes with power, and he rules with a mighty arm. See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him. He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.” Isaiah 40:10-11 NIV
Love, Cindy
Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?
“Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep,equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV Read full chapter
With Love, Cindy
Do you want to know more about Jesus? Read my page Who Is Jesus?
“See, the Sovereign Lord comes with power, and he rules with a mighty arm. See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him. 11 He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.” Isaiah 40:10-11 NIV Read full chapter
With Love, Cindy
Do you want to know more about Jesus? Click this link to learn more: Who Is Jesus?
It’s important to understand the relationship between the shepherd and his sheep in order to understand your relationship with God.
Three of the greatest men of God in the Bible, Abraham, Moses, and David, were shepherds. There must have been something important that God wanted these men to learn from their role as a shepherd before He used them for a great purpose.
How would being a shepherd teach them about their relationship with God? What kinds of things would a shepherd learn?
First of all, he would learn that sheep don’t make good decisions on their own. He would see how important it was for the sheep to follow the shepherd.
2. He would learn that it was important to look out for each individual sheep as well as looking out for the whole flock.
3. Whenever there was danger, he would have to take action. Therefore he would learn to be fearless and brave. David killed the lion and the bear in defense of his sheep before he slayed the giant.
“Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear;” 1 Samuel 17:36
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; ” Isaiah 41:10 NIV
4. He would have to learn patience. Sheep are not very smart.
5. He would see, first hand, how vitally important it is for sheep to follow the shepherd. He would witness the dangers sheep would get into without the care of the shepherd. Without a shepherd, the sheep blindly follow other sheep. When one walks over a cliff, the others follow right behind him!
6. But most importantly, He would have ample time to spend with God, to pray, and seek God’s help. He would learn to walk with God.
The shepherd provides food and clean water daily, rest, protection from the enemy, and guidance. Without the shepherd’s care the sheep would go astray. It’s no accident that God says He is the Good Shepherd and we are like sheep.
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” John 10:11 NIV
“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.” John 10:27-28 NIV
This is what King David learned about God through his time as a shepherd. May we learn this as well.
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.” Psalm 23
We don’t have to be a shepherd to learn these important truths. We have the Word of God.
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV
With Love, Cindy
Click this link to learn more about Jesus: Who Is Jesus?
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