Day 19 | The Shepherd’s Restoration – Lauren

As we learned yesterday, our Good Shepherd is a master at soul care and soul repair because He is our creator and the “lover of our souls”.[1] At the same time we discovered we are, “Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it. Prone to leave the God I love”[2] As such, we are like “cast” sheep (*See Day 17) that often find themselves in need of rescuing along with refreshment and restoration.

So, what is God’s response when we wander off, sometimes willingly leaving the path He set out for us? How does He react when we drift, stumble, and get stuck in a mess of our own making?

Many people have the idea that when children of God fall, when they find themselves in a pit or spiritual dilemma, frustrated and helpless, that God becomes disgusted, fed-up and even furious with them. This is simply not so. 3

When a child is learning to walk, a loving parent doesn’t scold him/her with “I can’t believe you fell on your face again! What’s your problem?! Why can’t you stay upright for more than two steps at a time?” Similarly, our Heavenly Father doesn’t scold or shout at us when we sin.

“As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.” –Psalm 103:13

In fact, God anticipated our need for rescuing, restoration and refreshment in the form of a Savior and sent His very own Son, Jesus, to be that for us. That act of love on our behalf, knowing that we could never earn, deserve or repay it, is one of the greatest revelations of the heart of the Father.

The fact that Jesus Christ came to dwell among us as fully God and fully man qualifies Him as our perfect Shepherd. He understands what it is like to be human—to feel strong feelings, to struggle in this world and to be tempted. It is precisely because Jesus has “walked in our shoes”, that He looks at us with compassion and concern when we sin and/or fall away. The writer of

Hebrews reminds us, when writing about Jesus, 

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.” –Hebrews 4:15

It is because He died in our place, bearing our sin and shame on the cross, that He does not bring condemnation upon believers.

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.”  -Romans 8:1-2

Forgiveness of sin is the ultimate refreshment for our souls because it brings peace from God to our minds, wills and emotions through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit who comes to live within us at the moment of salvation and renews us from the inside out.

The apostle Paul speaks of this transformation of our souls as he says,

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” –2 Corinthians 5:17

At times, we may lose sight of the fact that we have been made new, perhaps because we’ve fallen back into old habits, but the good news is that our feelings do not change the fact that Jesus’ work to bring us restoration is still valid. Taking time to repent, through admission of sin, turning away from it and toward God will bring us a renewed sense of God’s ministering work of refreshment.

Salvation also brings total restoration of our spirits (the part of us that lives eternally) because faith in Jesus Christ brings us peace with God. Jesus took the penalty and punishment of sin upon Himself at the cross and gives us His righteousness so we can dwell in His Presence forever.

The apostle Paul puts it this way,

“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”  -Romans 5:1

God the Father, as our Good Shepherd, and out of love for His sheep orchestrated our rescue through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ the Son. The Holy Spirit does an ongoing work to bring refreshment and restoration to our souls.

REFLECT

1.    How does knowing that God looks upon my failures with grace and love change the way I speak to myself when I sin and fall short of His glory?

2.    What is my response to God’s gift of salvation through Jesus’ sacrifice?

3.    If I am in Christ, I am a new creation. What areas am I hesitating to turn over to the Holy Spirit for continued refinement and restoration?

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, you are a compassionate Father who is tender toward your children. You know my weaknesses, my limits, and my needs. Jesus, you understand me intimately and are well acquainted with the struggles of my humanity. Because of you and your sacrifice on the cross, I can come freely and confidently before your throne bringing my burdens, failures and fears without shame. Holy Spirit, you have made me a new creation—rescued, refreshed, redeemed and restored. The old is gone and the new has come. Help me to live in that truth today. Amen.

TAKE ACTION TODAY

Write a brief “thank you note” to God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit for the personal gift of your salvation and the ultimate rescue, refreshment and restoration that you’ve been given. If you are not sure that you have received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, please reach out to the elders at elders@mcc.church. We would love to talk and pray with you!