Sermon- July 22

Pentecost 9B- July 22

Psalm 23

            Psalm 23, the favorite psalms of many people, as it sings of the many mercies which the happy soul of the believer receives. And it traces all those benefits to one source, namely to the Good Shepherd himself. “I shall not want.” Why? Because the Lord is my Shepherd. I lie down in delicious repose in green pastures. Why? Because “God makes me to.” I march onward making holy progress beside the still waters. Why? Because “The Good Shepherd leads me.” In the prospect of deep darkness or death I’m calm & free from fear. Why? Because the Lord is with me.

            This psalm is full of lessons & reminders—the first being OUR TRUE POSITION as believers. And what is that true position of every believer? It is that of a sheep abiding close to its shepherd. The fittest condition of a believer is in close communion with Christ.

            And this isn’t a privilege to be occasionally enjoyed; it should be the everyday life of the Christian. We are to abide in Jesus, walk with Jesus & live in Jesus. We need this fellowship with the Lord, not as a luxury for red-letter days & times of worship, but as the necessary provision of every day of our lives.

            Our relationship to the Lord Jesus requires perpetual communion with him. After all, Jesus has called you his friend; & if you’re his friend, shouldn’t you show yourself to be friendly? But how can you be friendly if, in the 6 days between Sundays, you have no relationship with him in the house, or in the field or workplace, or as you travel about? Is that any way to treat your friend?

            In the simple phrase, “He restores my soul,” this psalm also reminds us of the 2 sides of the Lutheran coin. Initially, it’s a reminder of our frequent sin. Why would my soul require restoration if I didn’t habitually abide in sin?  But those 4 words, “He restores my soul,” also reminds us of God’s faithful & steadfast love. I don’t know about you, but “God restores my soul” often. In fact, the Lord is doing it now.

            Now, there are some who teach that, if one keeps wandering, Jesus will leave that roaming sheep to perish. But that kind of thinking is so dishonoring to the Good Shepherd that we need to give it up once & for all. For “He restores my soul” not once & then never again. But in love, he has set my feet upon the rock of his unchangeable love again & again & again. To leave his sheep to perish is not like our Savior. “He restores my soul.”

            And that leads to a final reminder from this psalm: God’s supreme power. “HE restores my soul.” HE, HE, HE alone restores my soul. From first to last, my restoration & refreshing come from God. He restores our entire humanity. Every regenerated faculty grows strong when God is near. Every grace drinks in new life from our communion with Christ. Faith triumphs, love burns, hope prophesies, & patience grows through the love & power of the God who loves us.

            And best of all, this restorative love is available right now! Maybe you’re in a bad, ugly mood; maybe you’re worried about something that’s coming up this week or about something that you did during this past week; maybe you’re angry with God because of some darkness in your life today; maybe you feel like you’re not in a fit condition to begin this restoration process.

            Well, do you know that the Good Shepherd says to that? “I’m here. I’m with you already. I am ready to restore your soul. Just come to me as you are. Come right now. I am the Good Shepherd; & I love you. I treasure you. You are my beloved friend & brother or sister. I will restore you. No matter what, I love you & you are mine! Amen.