Psalm 119:176

Psalm 119:176 “I have strayed like a lost sheep. Seek Your servant, for I have not forgotten Your commands.”
 

There is a reason why we are called sheep and why Jesus is called the Good Shepherd. Sheep don’t have a lot of common sense. If sheep are not led from one pasture to the next, they will continue to eat until there is nothing more to eat. Then they start to eat their own waste. We need to be led. We don’t even know enough o stay on the straight and narrow path. We need a shepherd who will continually and gently guide us.
 

In this verse, David is expressing how we would be naturally lost without a shepherd. He says, “Seek Your servant, for I have not forgotten Your commands.” He says, “Jesus, I love You, I have not forgotten You. However, when I go down the wrong path, seek me out, correct me.”
 

He is expressing a complete dependency upon his Shepherd. David is dealing with something that plagues us all; we don’t instinctively seek spiritual things. Spiritual desire must be developed. Hebrews 5:14 teaches us that by reason of use, we train our spiritual senses.
 

Fortunately for us, we have a Good Shepherd. Jesus, our Good Shepherd, continually, gently, compassionately, corrects us. How fitting for David to finish this great Psalm with a focus on the One who perpetually seeks us out. “‘Because he loves me’ says the Lord, ‘I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him’” Psalm 91:14-15. 

Our Good Shepherd seeks us out. How awesome is that?!! This is the One who deserves all our praise. This is the one to whom we owe our life!
 

Now let me encourage you to take some time to meditate on this verse, as you do; call on your Good Shepherd to see you out and lead you on His good path.   

END