Today I want to begin by reading another parody on Psalm 23, a little light perhaps,

and it is dedicated to all my fellow dieters. It goes that way. Strict is my diet, I must not want.

It makes me to lie down at night hungry. It leaves me

past Baskin-Robbins. It tries my willpower. It leads me in the path of starvation

for my figure's sake. Yay, though I walk through the aisles of the pastry store, I will buy no sweet rolls,

for they are fattening.

The cakes and the pies, they tempt me.

Before me is a table with celery and lettuce.

My day's quarter runneth over.

Surely calories and weight shots shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall

dwell in the fear of the scales forever.

Some of you will understand that.

Others don't. Verse 3 of Psalm 23, David the Shepard King,

talking about the real Shepard King, the perfect Shepard King, the only Shepard King. And he says that

he restores my soul.

And the first thing probably occurred to you is said,

if the Lord is my shepherd, how come do I need restoration?

If I'm born again, walking with God, loving God, how can I need to be restored?

Well, the answer is this.

David is a man of whom God said these words. I have searched the heart of David

and found it after my own heart. And yet, he saw a desperate need for restoration. Many times

David felt dejected and discouraged and despondent.

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