READ: Psalm 119 (Focus vs. 169-176)
MEMORY VERSE
“I have strayed like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, for I have not forgotten your commands.” Psalm 119:176
BACKGROUND
David Uttal is a cognitive scientist who studies navigation but has problems navigating his way around geographic locations. This isn’t a new problem for him—one that goes back to when he was thirteen years old and got lost for two and a half days on a hike.
Uttal admits he’s still terrible with simple directions in life. But some people are natural navigators—knowing exactly where they are and how to get where they desire to go. Others, like Uttal, struggle even with clear directions and often get lost.
The psalmist also felt the disorientation of lostness: “I have strayed like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, for I have not forgotten your commands” (Psalm 119:176). He compared himself to a wandering sheep.
Although sheep can be valuable creatures, they’re also notoriously rebellious and will sometimes drift away from their shepherd—putting them in need of rescue.
The psalmist’s spiritual navigation skills had deteriorated, and his spiritual sense of direction had faded, so he needed God to pursue him and give him a “discerning mind” (v. 169 nlt).
When we wander away from God’s care, He loves us enough to seek us and lead us back to Himself. As He helps us understand the Scriptures and follow “all [His] commands” (v. 172), we can avoid getting spiritually lost.
Marvin Williams
INSIGHT
The Bible is God’s gift to enable us to live a life that honors Him (Deuteronomy 4:1-8; 2 Timothy 3:14-17). Psalm 119 is the psalmist’s unwavering commitment to live out its truths.
The psalm begins with a declaration that “those who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart” are blessed (v. 2). Throughout the psalm, the psalmist spells out these blessings.
Its 176 verses (arranged in 22 stanzas of 8 verses each) affirm the authority, supremacy, sufficiency, and transformative power of the words of Scripture. They provide assurance, hope, peace, joy, and delight (vv. 14, 16, 24, 97, 103, 111, 114, 165).
Scripture provides wisdom and guidance to navigate life’s challenges (vv. 32, 98-100, 105) and comforts us in times of trouble (vv. 28, 50, 52, 92). It empowers us to live a life that honors God, keeping us from sin and correcting us when we go astray (vv. 9-11, 29, 133).
Our loving God uses the Scriptures to draw us to Himself.
K.T. Sim
APPLICATION
In what ways have you drifted away from God and His wisdom? In what ways will you remember His instruction today?
PR’s (Pastor Richard) RE-EMPHASIS
“When we wander away from God’s care, He loves us enough to seek us and lead us back to Himself.”
PR’s TAKE
“We Wander, God Pursues” Anonymous
“Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105
“We need never shout across the spaces to an absent God. He is nearer than our own soul, closer than our most secret thoughts.” A.W. Tozer
PRAYER
“Gracious God, I recognize that I’m often like a lost sheep—easily distracted and led astray. Please bring me back to Your side.”
TODAY’S HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“RECKLESS LOVE” Cory Asbury
Before I spoke a word, You were singing over me
You have been so, so good to me
Before I took a breath, You breathed Your life in me
You have been so, so kind to me
Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending,
Reckless love of God
Oh, it chases me down, fights ’til I’m found, leaves the 99
And I couldn’t earn it, and I don’t deserve it, still,
You give Yourself away
Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God
When I was Your foe, still Your love fought for me
You have been so, so good to me
When I felt no worth, You paid it all for me
You have been so, so kind to me
Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God
Oh, it chases me down, fights ’til I’m found, leaves the 99
And I couldn’t earn it, and I don’t deserve it, still,
You give Yourself away
Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God
There’s no shadow You won’t light up
Mountain You won’t climb up
Coming after me
There’s no wall You won’t kick down
Lie You won’t tear down
Coming after me
There’s no shadow You won’t light up
Mountain You won’t climb up
Coming after me
There’s no wall You won’t kick down
Lie You won’t tear down
Coming after me
There’s no shadow You won’t light up
Mountain You won’t climb up
Coming after me
There’s no wall You won’t kick down
Lie You won’t tear down
Coming after me
Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God
Oh, it chases me down, fights ’til I’m found, leaves the 99
I couldn’t earn it, I don’t deserve it, still, You give Yourself away
Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God
