The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.
Psalm 23:1-3
Reflect
To say that the Lord, our Shepherd, will refresh our souls, means there will be times when we are weary and in need of refreshing. Perhaps that’s how you’re feeling today.
When my kids were little, we used a special term to help us express where we were emotionally at any given moment. We called it our “feeler.” If your feeler was at one, all was right with the world; if you were at ten, it was a full-blown emotional meltdown (I’m sure I got this idea from someone else, but the source is long-forgotten). So, if you woke up and found we were out of your favorite cereal, and you were worried about a test at school, you might start your day at a seven, which means it wouldn’t take much to send you to ten. A friend’s slightly snarky comment could send you to a code red. We used this idea to help our kids (and mom and dad too) be aware of our emotions and find ways to bring them back down to one before the meltdown warning sirens go off.
As a society, we’ve been going through a time of stress and worry. We’re being challenged physically, socially, economically, and spiritually. I think a lot of us have been walking around with feelers stuck at six or seven. Maybe we’re finding it hard to turn off our brains at night, so we’re not sleeping well. Maybe we’re sleeping too much because the anxiety is sapping our strength. Maybe we’re just plain tired trying to manage the disruption this crisis has created in our daily lives. What we need at times when we’re overwhelmed and depleted is God’s refreshing.
The Hebrew translated here as “refreshes” is a multi-faceted word in the Hebrew. It can be also be translated restore or revive. The idea David presents to us is the good Shepherd returning his sheep to health, strength, and vigor through his loving care. When we are weak and faint of heart, our Shepherd will renew our strength. Isaiah paints a vivid picture of this in Isaiah 40:28-31.
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Our good Shepherd never tires. He is always ready and available to give us what we need. Yahweh loves you with a love that is beyond compare. By the power of the Holy Spirit, he’ll give you strength to endure. Soaring like an eagle, he will lift you out of your weariness and fatigue. Your soul can be refreshed when you lean on the strength of your Shepherd.
What number would you give your “feeler” today? How exhausted or refreshed are you?
Pray
Do you need refreshing today? Are you weary, depleted, spent? Go to the good Shepherd and ask him for what you need. Cast all your cares on him, because he cares for you (1 Peter 5:7). As you confess your worries and concerns to God, imagine yourself getting lighter and ready to soar.