I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek Your servant,
For I do not forget Your commandments.
Psalms 119:176 (NASB95)
I have a recurring nightmare about being lost. It might be about being lost on campus at college, being lost in a parking garage looking for my car, etc. In my last nightmare like this, I was trying to rescue my son who was hanging high up in a tree dying. As I desperately sought help for him, I got lost in a parking garage (dreams wander), and I never found my car or anyone to help. Then I woke up.
The feeling of being lost and helpless is profoundly disturbing and usually leaves me haunted for hours after I wake up. If you have similar dreams, you might understand what that feels like.
It’s intriguing and prophetically significant that the last verse of this very long Psalm is the servant's confession of straying from God. It brings to mind a verse in Isaiah, where the suffering Messiah bears the burden of our sin and shame.
All of us like sheep have gone astray,
Each of us has turned to his own way.
But the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all
To fall on Him.
Isaiah 53:6
In the last verse of the Psalm, the servant pleads with his Shepherd-Lord to seek him, because even though he has committed himself to the commandments, he just can’t find his way. He is alone and helpless, and the Law alone can’t save him. As much as he tries to follow all the commandments, he only finds himself more and more lost. If this sounds familiar, you are not alone.
The Lord actually wants you to seek HIM, even if you find yourself stuck in a place where there seems to be no escape. This is the very place where the Lord will seek YOU! All you have to do is call on Him with your whole heart and He will come running...
‘Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.
‘You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.'
Jeremiah 29:12-13
There is a man whose name is Salvation, who sits at the right hand of God, who is constantly interceding for you. If you hear his voice, you are a sheep in his flock. Today if you hear his voice, do not harden your heart. Jesus knows the way out of whatever trouble you are in if you trust and follow Him!
Lord Jesus, I pray for whoever is reading this - that You will come quickly to their aid, bringing healing, salvation and deliverance. I pray that You will give them strength, patience, and endurance in whatever situation they are in. It's because of Your holy name we pray - according to Your will let it be done.
Amen! 🙏
