Restore

Restore is a beautiful concept. In Psalm 23:3 we read “He restores my soul.” What does it mean to restore the soul? How do I know if my soul needs to be restored? The New Living Translation renders this passage with these words, “He renews my strength”.

Consider Matthew 11:28-30 from The Message, “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” Living life WITH Him according to His unforced rhythms of grace brings renewed strength, refreshment, and restoration.

So often I find myself searching for rest. Trying to build rest into my schedule. But the rest that I crave and long for in the deepest places of my heart can only come from my Savior. I don’t have to make myself rest. I don’t have to create rest. The rest that I need can only be received. It comes straight from the heart of my loving Father. It is a divine exchange. My weariness for His rest. My exhaustion for His renewal. My heavy burdens for His refreshment and energy. The rest that I need is a soul deep rest. Jesus, teach me to receive Your rest deep in my soul.

Yes, He restores my soul. And that’s not all He does! “In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation” (1 Peter 5:10). He supports, keeping me study in the midst of uncertainty. He strengthens me, infusing me with His strength in place of my weakness. And He creates within me a firm foundation where I am rooted and grounded in His love (see Ephesians 3:14-20).