Psalm 23: verse 3

He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

The photo above shows the recently restored Hinds County Courthouse in Raymond, Mississippi. It is a beautiful building but will one day need to be restored again. However, when God restores the souls of his redeemed through grace, the work is complete and lasting. While the body may still struggle with sin, the grace of regeneration insures that the soul and spirit will gain victory in those whom God has touched with his Power. To these he will lead in paths of righteousness. They will desire and seek the things of God and his righteousness that is a part of their new Spirit led nature. Paul speaks of this righteousness from God in Romans 1:16-17. The Psalmist is clear that God does this for his name’s sake. God restores the soul and leads his redeemed in paths of righteousness for HIS name’s sake. Since God’s power is total and never fails and he is concerned about his name and his glory, it is inconceivable that the sheep of his pasture will not be brought safely home by walking in the paths of righteousness.

Praise God that his provision and grace is sufficient, and his people can rest and trust that he is a Sheppard that will lose none of those whose soul He has restored. Spiritual peace, comfort, and joy are the temporal rewards of God’s flock and the eternal rewards are beyond comprehension.