Day 742: Psalm 119: 145-176~ Shepherding Grace

145 With my whole heart I cry; answer me, O Lord!
    I will keep your statutes.
146 I call to you; save me,
    that I may observe your testimonies.
147 I rise before dawn and cry for help;
    I hope in your words.
148 My eyes are awake before the watches of the night,
    that I may meditate on your promise.
149 Hear my voice according to your steadfast love;
    O Lord, according to your justice give me life.
150 They draw near who persecute me with evil purpose;
    they are far from your law.
151 But you are near, O Lord,
    and all your commandments are true.
152 Long have I known from your testimonies
    that you have founded them forever.
Resh
153 Look on my affliction and deliver me,
    for I do not forget your law.
154 Plead my cause and redeem me;
    give me life according to your promise!
155 Salvation is far from the wicked,
    for they do not seek your statutes.
156 Great is your mercy, O Lord;
    give me life according to your rules.
157 Many are my persecutors and my adversaries,
    but I do not swerve from your testimonies.
158 I look at the faithless with disgust,
    because they do not keep your commands.
159 Consider how I love your precepts!
    Give me life according to your steadfast love.
160 The sum of your word is truth,
    and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.
Sin and Shin
161 Princes persecute me without cause,
    but my heart stands in awe of your words.
162 I rejoice at your word
    like one who finds great spoil.
163 I hate and abhor falsehood,
    but I love your law.
164 Seven times a day I praise you
    for your righteous rules.
165 Great peace have those who love your law;
    nothing can make them stumble.
166 I hope for your salvation, O Lord,
    and I do your commandments.
167 My soul keeps your testimonies;
    I love them exceedingly.
168 I keep your precepts and testimonies,
    for all my ways are before you.
Taw
169 Let my cry come before you, O Lord;
    give me understanding according to your word!
170 Let my plea come before you;
    deliver me according to your word.
171 My lips will pour forth praise,
    for you teach me your statutes.
172 My tongue will sing of your word,
    for all your commandments are right.
173 Let your hand be ready to help me,
    for I have chosen your precepts.
174 I long for your salvation, O Lord,
    and your law is my delight.
175 Let my soul live and praise you,
    and let your rules help me.
176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant,
    for I do not forget your commandments.
 
Meditation
God’s grace shepherds wandering hearts and gathers stray sheep. All of us need the grace of our good Shepherd to be (re)gathered to feast on the green pastures of God’s word.
 
Finishing 175 verses of praising the Lord for His word, the Psalmist concludes with confession, “I have gone astray like a lost sheep.” (176) After seeking God’s word with delight in God’s law (174), love (163, 167), and joy (162) the Psalmist asks for God to seek him, to bring him back into the fold. Humility before God’s word will reveal our true hearts and lead us to full healing.
 
The emotions of the Psalmist are on his sleeve, crying out to the Lord “with his whole heart” (145). The Psalmist loves God (165) and loves God’s word (163) but like a sheep he has nibbled his way into lostness.  His determination is evident by his discipline and hope (147-148) and yet his heart still wanders from the Lord’s fold.
 
“We all like sheep have gone astray.” (Isaiah 53:6) One bite at a time, one step at a time, we snack on the pasture of personal pleasures and wander from the green grass of God’s grace. God is our Good Shepherd. Grace seeks out wandering sheep (Luke 15:3-7). Jesus came to seek the lost, bringing the wandering heart home to the love of our Father.
 
Lord, seek your servants, that we may see your grace, taste your mercy, and deepen our affection for You and Your word. Take our hearts and seal them secure within your love!
 
Richly Dwelling
-What stands out to you about the contrast of the passage, the passion for God and His word with acknowledgment of wandering from God’s green pasture?
 
-Where have you wandered like a sheep outside of God’s green pastures of His word? What do you need to confess?
 
-God will seek you. He will find you. His grace will restore you. How does a love that pursues you deepen your affection for God and His word?
 
Key Verse
176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant, for I do not forget your commandments