Pleasing God, Making Disciples of Jesus Christ

Lessons From The Psalmist

PSALM 119:176 – I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant, for I do not forget your commandments.

THEME OF THE DAY. LESSONS FROM THE PSALMIST. Have you ever pondered the ending to the longest portion of scripture in the Bible, Psalm 119? Today’s verse is that ending. But before we get to the end, all through this wonderful Psalm, we are challenged to see the heart of the Psalmist and his love for God’s Word. We are equally encouraged when we encounter the glorious promises unfolded to us. I suggest making Psalm 119 a regular diet in our reading. It will keep us enflamed with love and appreciation for the scripture. Now to the ending of the Psalm. There are three things the Psalmist reveals about himself that are things we need to know about ourselves Each one is important truth to ensure a healthy walk with the Lord.

First, though we are the sheep of the Lord’s pasture, we are sheep prone to wander. Whether it be the forbidden pastures of worldliness, fleshly passions, or just our bent to being selfish, we are tempted to drift. Remember, there is not a sin under the sun we are incapable of committing. Knowing how weak and easily deceived we are, even as God’s people, keeps us dependent upon His grace and power – always.

Next, our dependency upon the Lord extends to Him seeking us to stay close to Him. Recall when we first came to Christ. We thought it was our will, our decision, and our initiative to come to Him. But then, we grow in the faith. We mature and discover it is all of Him from start to finish. We read in John’s gospel – But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God (John 1:12-13). There is only one seeker in the Christian life and that is God. Even as believers, not only are we tempted to drift away from the Lord, but we lose the zeal and enthusiasm to seek Him. And in amazing love and grace, He seeks us. This, too, like the first lesson from the Psalmist, creates the necessary virtue to fellowship with God – humility.

The final lesson is the importance of hiding the Word of God in our hearts. The Psalmist knew his weakness, his dependency on the Lord, and also his responsibility to have his mind renewed with His Word – for I do not forget your commandments. Think about this question for a moment – “If you had no access to a Bible either in print, on a phone, internet, or electronically, have you placed enough of the Word of God in your heart and mind that would keep you encouraged, keep your mind stayed on the Lord, and strengthen you to endure anything and still persevere in the faith?” I think this question is a good way to end today’s nugget. It will cause us to evaluate our commitment and intake of the Word of God.

PRAYER: “Father, I praise You for seeking me when I would not and could not seek You .”

QUOTE: “One of the marks of spiritual maturity is when we learn we had nothing to do with our salvation. It is all of God.”