As well as granting us rest and good works, God works in us to keep us steadfastly in him.
Restored by God
We previously saw that God gives us rest in his word and godly activity by his Spirit. Here we see a new level of intimacy; that God himself "restores our souls". It is not the words that we read or the things that we do that are sanctifying us; rather, it is God himself. Even when things are tough and the future looks bleak we can know that God is nurturing our very souls that they might flourish in the future. This restoration is to be completed upon Christs' return but it is clear that for David this was a very real and present thing. So it should be for us too, and we would do well not to shy away from it.
Restored body
"But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint." - Isaiah 40:31
The result of a life spent resting in God and walking with God is not fatigue, but restoration. Because we are made to be in relationship with God it is the thing that edifies and builds us up the most. Thus even if we pass through busy or difficult times, we know that if we do so depending on God, our souls will not suffer but will be restored. So we will have energy enough to do his will for our lives. Even in times where we feel faint, even at the brink of death, God will sustain us.
"[God] will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast." - 1 Peter 5:10
Restored mind
"Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you
and protect you from the evil one." - 2 Thessalonians 3:3
When we are low in energy and suffering physically or mentally, the result is often a perversion of the affections. We stop delighting in Christ above all, and begin to swap him for his gifts to us as the ultimate treasure in our lives.These could be prosperity, power, sex, respect, friends, knowledge, ...
For all of us though, at root it always comes down to plain ugly idolatry. But our ever-faithful shepherd restores our affections for him and rekindles our worship of him that we might be once again faithful to him. Our faith is a badge of grace and not of pride, for it too is a gift of God.
"For by grace you have been saved through faith;
and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God" - Ephesians 2:8
Restored soul
"Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.
The old has passed away. Behold, the new has come!" - 2 Corinthians 5:17
The restoration that God brings about in those who believe is much more than an enduring profession of faith. When we believe in Christ we cross over from death to life [John 5:24] which changes our very beings. God doesn't merely boost our feelings but completely transforms us into the likeness of Christ in a mysterious now-but-not-yet way; we are redeemed once for all time by Christ's blood and yet God continually nudges and steers us towards himself until the day this transformation is fully realised.
"For by one sacrifice he has made perfect
forever those who are being made holy" - Hebrews 10:14
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