Rest, Restoration, and Protection
Happy Monday my friends! I invite you to read the first three verses of Psalms 23 with me. The Lord is speaking to us this week to remember these three things.
He wants you to receive His Rest, Restoration and Protection!
Psalm 23: 1-3 TPT
1 Yahweh (The Lord) is my best friend and my shepherd. I always have more than enough. Take these words and see you with your Shepherd watching over you, protecting in every way.
(The word most commonly used for “shepherd” is taken from the root word ra’ah, which is also the Hebrew word for “best friend”. This translation includes both meanings. The unique term for shepherd is ro’eh tzon- “lover of the flock”. This teaches us tat a shepherd was not just a responsible overseer, but a caring father figure, tending to his flock our of a deep sense of love. Shepherds were also fierce protectors of their flocks. Jesus is the Fierce Protector of his people)
(More than enough = Or, “I lack nothing”. What a wonderful declaration over your life! To never be in lack, always possessing more than enough. our God meets our emotional, physical and spiritual needs.)
2 He offers a resting place for me in his luxurious love. His tracks take me to an oasis of peace near the quiet brook of bliss
(Or “in spring[green] meadows.” A good shepherd knows where to pasture the flock. These green meadows would be a resting place, free from all fear. The Greek verb “to love” is agapao, which is a merging of two words and two concepts. Ago= “to lead like a shepherd.” And pao= a verb that means “to rest.” Love is our Shepherd leading us to the place of true rest in His heart.)
3 That’s where he restores and revives my life. He opens before me the right path and leads me along in his footsteps of righteousness so that I can bring honor to his name.
( Or “He causes my life (or “soul,” to return.” So often life drains out of us through our many activities, but, as David found, God restores our well-being when we pursue what please God and when we rest in Him.)
I pray this week, that as you have intimacy with Him, you will experience the rest, restoration and protection that He has promised “YOU” in these beautiful words of Psalm 23.
Remember, you are Love, you are Righteous, and you are His!