It is not unusual for a sheep to go astray. The fellowship and joy with God can be broken but not the salvation itself. How the Lord restores us in three truths:-

1 – The ministry of the shepherd (vs. 3)

There are three types of sheep.

• The stubborn sheep – These are sheep that just want their own way.
• The straying sheep – These are sheep that weakly or carelessly go astray.
• The sick sheep – There are many enemies and diseases and these sheep also need to be restored.

The shepherd has three implements.

• A rod – The stubborn sheep are restored with the rod. He would break one of the legs of the stubborn sheep and then immediately bind it to heal it. He would often carry the sheep until it was mended. That sheep would then stay very close to the shepherd. The sheep has been broken and restored. The same God who breaks us is the same God who restores us. God did the same thing to Jacob. He worshipped leaning on his staff. See Hebrews 12:5. It would be wrong to resent God’s chastening. It is an indication that you are a child of God. It renews your worship. God is not out to make you holy not happy. It restores our fellowship. It seems harsh at the time but yields fruitfulness later. It would be wrong to faint under God’s chastening. Have you seen people faint under chastisement? This is not what God wants.
• A staff – The straying sheep are restored with the staff. It has been called a shepherd’s crook. The shepherd used it to guide and retrieve the sheep. When we get into difficulty the Lord has the staff to get us back on the right path.
• A bottle of oil – The sick sheep is restored with the bottle of oil. As each sheep came in he would count them and check over them for any injuries. This oil was mixed with other elements to protect the sheep from pests like nose flies. Can you remember the times that God has used the rod?

2 – The mastery of the shepherd (vs. 3)

He leads us in the paths of righteousness. We need to learn from our mistakes. We need to follow the shepherd closer than before. You have got to love the shepherd, you have got to observe the shepherd and obey the shepherd (Hear his voice). You need to be close to see and hear. We are too ready to get out of trouble rather than into righteousness. Do you want to keep on being restored?

3 – The majesty of the shepherd (vs. 3)

What is the name of the shepherd? It is the Lord (Jehovah). It is the most holy name for God in the entire Bible. God’s name and honour is at stake by the way we live. Jesus is our Jehovah. His name means “Jehovah saves”. We do not want to bring disgrace upon the name of Jesus. There needs to be a burning desire to bring glory to that name.

Categories: Psalms