The Restored Sheep (Octavius Winslow)

Psalms 23:3

“He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.” 

WHO is the Restorer, but the Shepherd, whose the sheep are, and from whom they have wandered! There is but one Being who would or could go in quest of the stray sheep- traversing the bleak mountains and the lonely valleys, and the dark, stormy night, until He finds it, bringing it back upon His shoulder rejoicing. Christ alone knows the existence and extent of our heart-declensions- our soul-backslidings. With His hand upon the pulse- His eye upon the heart- acquainted with every fluctuating thought and emotion of the soul- who so fitted as He to seek and restore the wanderer from His fold? Oh what a throb of gratitude should beat in our hearts at the thought that Jesus knows us altogether- all our infirmities, and all our graces- all our declensions, and all our revivings- when the pulse of love beats faintly-or when, in the sincerity of our hearts, we can appeal to His Omniscience, and exclaim- "You know that I love You!" "I know my sheep."

Dear Shepherd, draw me to your fold; 
 I am cold, cold! 
I've wandered in forbidden paths, 
 Far from your fold. 
I left the "pastures" fresh and "green," 
 Where rest your sheep; 
The sweet "still waters" of your love, 
 For mountains steep. 
I'm weary, and my soul does yearn 
 For your embrace 
Oh, bear me from this mountain pass, 
 This dreary place! 
You only can "restore my soul." 

 Oh, hear my cry! 
Nor let me in this wilderness, 
 Forgotten die. 
Dear Shepherd, draw me near to you; 
 I am cold, cold! 
And me in your warm arms of love, 
 I pray, enfold.

Restored! -wander no more from the Shepherd and the flock, lest a worse thing come unto you! Knowing the cause of your declension- the temptation which led to your departure- be prayerful, be vigilant. "Remember therefore, from where you are fallen, and repent, and do the first works." Was it unguardedness? unwatchfulness? -be vigilant, be sober. Was it undevoutness? -give yourself more constantly and earnestly to prayer. Was it the influence of the world? -come out from it, and touch not the unclean thing. Or, was it the power of some easy-besetting sin which overcame you? -lay it down beneath the cross, and with your eye of faith upon the Crucified One, exclaim, "By Your agony and bloody sweat, by Your cross and passion, I will henceforth die to sin, and live to You!" Thus, whatever the cause of your departure from God- your wandering from the fold of Jesus- the power of sin, the influence of the world-  the idolatry of the creature- the love of self- lay it at Jesus' feet, and exclaim–

 
"Is there a thing beneath the sun 
That strives with You my heart to share? 
Take it away, and reign alone, 
The Lord of every motion there."

Oh bend your ear to the loving, entreating voice of the Shepherd- retrace your steps- return to the fold- once more feed and lie down with the flock- and saints below and angels above will be summoned to unite in the celebration of your recovery- "Rejoice with Me; for I have found my sheep that was lost."

"Return unto your rest, my soul,
Return unto your rest!
Too long these wandering feet have strayed
In paths, of God unblest;
The tempting gate stood open wide,
The way was broad and fair,
While breath of flowers and song of birds
Filled all the sunlit air.

"The flowerets faded before the noon,
The bird-song died away;
And, lowering over the tangled path,
The skies seem ashen gray.
Oh, weary, lonely, frighted soul,
By toil and storm distressed;
One only refuge waits for thee,
Return unto your rest!

"No chiding words of stern rebuke
Or anger wait for thee;
Your erring steps have grieved your Lord,
But pardon still is free.
Poor, trembling soul, 'look up and live!'
Obey such love's behest;
From downward paths of woe and sin,
Return unto your rest!

"The child upon its mother's heart
Forgets the weary day;
So love divine shall fold you close,
And soothe each grief away.
Come, burdened soul, your wanderings over,
Your follies all confessed,
With hastening feet that rove no more
Return unto your rest!"

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Luke 15:6

“And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.”