Today’s Devotional: “How God Restores Our Soul”

“Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance.” (Psalm 42:5)

As a shepherd, David knew what it meant to be “cast down.” It is a term shepherds use when sheep fall and are unable to recover. It is when sheep find themselves lying on their backs. In this position, they are helpless and begin to kick and flail, bleating and crying out because they can’t get up.

This is a very dangerous position for sheep, not only because they’re completely vulnerable to predators but also because it will eventually cut off their airways and they suffocate. They need a shepherd to come and deliver and restore them.

When a shepherd restores a cast-down sheep, the restoration process doesn’t happen immediately. It takes time to restore a cast-down sheep.

The shepherd begins by massaging the sheep’s legs to restore circulation. During this time, he speaks to the sheep in a reassuring tone to allay any fear it may have. He gently turns the sheep over and keeps his hands underneath until the sheep can stand on its own. He’ll continue to hold the sheep until the sheep regains its equilibrium.

What a beautiful picture of our Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ, and what He does for us when our emotions are damaged and our soul is cast down. He lovingly comes to us, speaking reassuring words of His love, and with tender hands He picks us up, sets us back on our feet, and carries us until we regain stability in our lives.

Jesus wants to restore our souls, and if we have been cast down, He’s the only one who can help us get back up and on our feet again. Therefore, let’s let Jesus be the shepherd of our lives and the restorer of our souls.