Psalm 23:1-3 “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. He guides me along the right paths    for his name’s sake”. 

We live in a world where people are constantly striving for success, prosperity and wealth.  Oftentimes we sacrifice our souls, minds, health, our families and even decent living in the name of chasing the elusive dream.  ‘When I grow up…when I get the house…when I am successful I will stop and spend the time doing what is most important’.  Sadly, that day rarely comes for some of us as each hurdle we conquer there is another one just beyond the horizon calling us straight to the grave.

So today let us stop for a while to meditate on Psalm 23:1-3 where Jesus calls us over the noise of the principalities and powers to a place of soul, mind and body restoration.

David, the Psalmist begins by reminding us that because we have a shepherd in the LORD, we will not be in want.  This is a word coming from a man who lived most of his life on the run, living in caves, out in the open. David therefore is a man who knows God first hand. David, a man after God’s own heart, knew that God Almighty was his source and with God, he lacked nothing he needed.

Now this is an encouraging word in these hard and difficult times where lots of persons are wondering where the next meal is coming from, where unemployment levels are rising and indiscipline and evil are on the rise.  So are you in ‘want’?  Is there is lack: emotionally, economically, psychologically, socially, and all the allies you can think of, in your life?   Turn to the shepherd of your body, mind and soul. He longs for dialogue with you first hand.   He longs to meet you at your point of need.  Jesus wants to have you lie down in green pastures, drink in and beside the quiet waters and experience your mind, body and soul being restored.

Why does your body, mind and soul need restored, you ask? The body needs to be rejuvenated each day in order to motivated to carry on God’s mission.  The mind needs to be renewed each moment so you can test and approve what God’s will is (Romans 12:2) and do it.  Soul restoration is crucial as daily living life itself appears to be destroying every fiber of human kindness, mercy and peace. We are all born with a soul that can only find its fulfillment in communion with its Maker Almighty God as revealed in Jesus Christ.

So body, mind and soul restoration begins by sitting at the feet of Jesus drinking his every word.  Now this is hard for persons who are used to the 24/7 treadmill chasing the world’s definition of success. But Jesus in Matthew 11: 28-29 calls us to “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle in heart, and you will find rest for your souls”.  Let us come to the waters of life and drink the living water and feast on the prepared table for us in the presence of our enemies. So start now by focusing on the Word, Jesus Himself.

PRAYER

God in heaven, we come with our bankrupted selves to you the Source of everything required for life and godliness. Please restore our bodies, minds and souls for without your touch we will not be able to cope with the present and will fall in the trap of basing our lives on the external.  Forgive us now we pray and fill us with life anew so that we may demonstrate to the world your transforming power.  Amen