Restoration, refreshment and guidance all form part of... - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2025

He restores my soul; he leads me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Psalm 23:3.

Restoration, refreshment and guidance all form part of the Lord Jesus' service on our behalf.

This shows His care and considerate attention for every step that we take. We are refreshed and guided.

"He restores my soul" means that He fortifies it with spiritual strength. This is not a mere momentary experience, after which we are more despondent than we were previously. The Lord always grants us lasting strength for what lies ahead. Such untiring attention keeps us dependent on Him and gives us the energy to continue on His well-meant pathway.

The same Shepherd, who leads us "beside the still waters" also guides us along "paths of righteousness". He follows the direction in which the sheep is going and guides it the whole way. Nothing can harm it, for He is ever present.

Once we were going astray, turning "every one to his own way" (Isaiah 53:6). Our hearts and feet took paths of unrighteousness. But we heard the Shepherd's voice. And in the measure that we obey Him and lovingly follow Him, we continue on "paths of righteousness".

When the Lord leads us, he neither drives us nor drags us on; He leads us. I once saw a mother teaching her 15-month-old son to walk. She did not force him to take longer steps or go faster. She shortened and slowed down her own steps, so that the child could keep up with her. That is how the Lord leads us, too. His aim is honour and glory for His own Name.

We can fully trust our faithful Shepherd in every respect. He will lead us "in paths of righteousness for his name's sake".

Today's reading: Job 5:1-27 · Acts 7:1-16