Monday Morning Devotional - He Lifts me Up

Ps 42:5 " Why are you cast down, O my soul?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and my God. "
Ps 23:3 "He restores my soul"

In his book A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23, Phillip Keller explains that throughout the psalms, David uses language that every shepherd would understand.
Sheep are built in such a way that if they fall over on their side and then onto their back, it's very difficult for them to get up again. They flail their legs in the air, bleat and cry. After a few hours on their backs, gas begins to collect in their stomachs, the stomach hardens, the air passage is cut off, and the sheep will eventually sufocate. This is referred to as a "cast down" position.
When a shepherd restores a cast down sheep, he reassures it, massages its legs to restore circulation, gently turns the sheep over, lifts it up, and holds it so it can regain its equilibrium.
What a picture of what God wants to do for us! When we're on our backs, flailing around because of guilt, grief or grudges, our loving Shepher reassures us with His grace. He lifts us up and holds us until we've gained our spiritual equilibrium.
Have you been cast down? No matter what the reason, God is the only one who can help you get on your feet again. He'll restore your confidence, your joy and your strength!