“He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” (Psalm 23:3)
Frustrations, anger, melancholy, heartaches, everything that the mind that serves Christ will experience in this life.
I believe I speak the truth here when I say that everyone who has been hid in Christ would rather suffer physical pain than the pain that would come with the knowledge that the Living God has forsaken you, that the most painful disease, the most terrible physical ailment that you could imagine would not be able to be compared to the unmitigated knowledge that you have been cast away by the Lord.
“And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.” (Luke 16:23)
A momentary hope that perhaps Abraham would send Lazarus with even just one cool drop of water, that he would send one back so his family could be spared of the torment he knew. And then again, as it was the moment that rich man opened his eyes in hell, all hope was gone. Complete, total, never-ending utter hopelessness.
How can one compare a few years of physical or even emotional pain to that?
The knowledge that we are not only loved now, but that we will be forever without end loved is how the Lord restores our soul. The wicked speak of a silver lining around that dark and ominous cloud, they knock on wood, cross their fingers, wish on falling stars in hopes of peace and security. Today they are giving up their freedoms for a feigned sense of security, to masters who have invoked the pain upon them.
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matt. 11:28)
A soul restored is a soul at rest, it knows a peace that passes all understanding in the midst of turmoil, when it is not leaning on the everlasting arms, it is following His footsteps, always with the knowledge that He who has promised is faithful.
That is, in every respect, as much of the future that we have been allowed to see, and it is enough.
The one you love the most may unexpectedly die tomorrow, if they were saved, you will see them again. If not, the Most High will restore your soul.
A grievous pain may begin to rack your body tonight, pain inconceivable, in the midst of it He will be with you, and your soul will be restored.
“But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.” (1st Thess. 4:13)
Because the wicked have no hope, they have no Foundation to stand upon, most know the pain will abate over time, the heart will mend, but there will be a scar. We who have been crucified with Christ have no scars, He does, the robe that awaits you is white, His is dipped in blood, we are the sheep of His pasture, He is the Lamb of God, slain, sacrificed.
For you.
Our deepest pain cannot be compared to His lightest affliction, our griefs and sorrows are incomparable to the ones He bore. You will never know the wrath of God; He bore the entire brunt of it.
Is your soul restored now?
We do not attempt to compare our pain and suffering to the Lord Jesus Christ’s, we pray to either be healed and released from them, or to be able to continue serving Him in whatever way He calls with that thorn in our side.
“For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” (Romans 8:18)
Home awaits, carefree, tear-free, burdenless, enjoyment and pleasures forevermore. Did that help you? Is your soul now restored not because of this poorly written letter, but because of the love, the eternal love you know?
