He restoreth my soul.

This past week, Houston County’s acting District Attorney William Kendall gave attention to a fact that should disturb every one of us. Houston County has experienced over a dozen suicides in the past month. Please read that again. That is just in the past month. We have 9 months left in this calendar year.

To hear that some of those cases in our county involved young children is enough to make the angels weep. For any of the families who are reading this, and who have personally experienced this loss of life, please know that our prayers go out to you. “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18

If Attorney Kendall had announced that there had been a dozen people in the past month in Houston County who had died from food poisoning or spider bites, the headlines might have been larger, and our social media sharing more frequent. That news might have caused us to take action – to throw out any outdated foods, or to sweep the house for spiders.

But when the issue involves self-murder – the original term for suicide, the topic does not seem to illicit the same attention. My guess is that many of us have had our lives touched by this issue long before March. Statistics tell us that the problem in our society has gotten worse – much worse. . . and for children no less.

At this point, my writing could go off in twenty different directions. But let’s choose this one. “He restoreth my soul”.

We seem to be doing relatively well taking care of bodies. The DA did not mention anything about starvation deaths in Houston County. But how about our souls?

Recognize that phrase from the 23rd Psalm? It might be the four most overlooked words of that Psalm. He . . .God. . . restores my soul.

Jesus spends an inordinate amount of attention to our souls. “What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?”, Jesus asks in Matthew 16:26. “Come unto me and find rest for your soul”, Jesus invites in Matthew 11:29.

Our cars don’t do very well once the gas tank teaches empty. You can put golf balls into your tank. You can put your movie tickets into your tank. You can drop a hundred-dollar bill, all your credit cards, and pour your double latte into your tank. The car still doesn’t run. It doesn’t run on just anything. It needs the correct fuel.

Our souls need to be restored. They also can reach “empty”. Our souls don’t run on just anything. Sports, travel and entertainment are fun . . but quite temporary. God’s Word doesn’t mention them as being fuel for our souls. It does find Jesus saying, “Come unto me and you will find rest for your soul.”

Our souls need to regularly hear “I love you, and I forgive you” from the God of the universe. Jesus came to make that message possible through His death and resurrection. That message has also been placed before you in print in the Bible, and in voice through numerous pulpits. That same God encourages us to gather in person, in families called churches, to “encourage one another” in Christ. (Hebrews 13:4).

No doubt. Life can leave even the best of us . . . soul-depleted at times.

But then there is the good Shepherd, Jesus Christ . . .He restoreth my soul.

John Lehenbauer, Pastor

Christ Lutheran Church & School, Perry

christlutheranperry@gmail.com

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