Underdog Week 3 Tuesday

I have wandered away like a lost sheep; come and find me, for I have not forgotten Your commands. Psalm 119:176

I recently listened to a Ted Talk about being wrong. Although the topic may sound strange to you, the talk was fascinating. One thing I found enlightening in this talk was that the speaker explained that before we realize we are wrong, being wrong feels a lot like being right. It is true that until we recognize where we are wrong, we will continue to live under the guise that we are correct, and we will not be able to make any changes or corrections that are needed. This week, we are talking about the fact that we are like sheep, and the first step in learning from this lesson is actually believing it. I have a suspicion that we may hear the truth from Scripture that we are like sheep and think the sentiment is cute but not fully understand that this truth in Scripture is accurate about you and me. We are like sheep, lost on our own and in need of a shepherd.

The Psalmist who wrote Psalm 119 recognized his need for God to shepherd him. Verse 170 records him pleading in prayer for God to rescue him. In his plea, he wrote, “O Lord, I have longed for Your rescue” (verse 174). He knew that he needed rescuing and desperately wanted it. His prayer ends with a confession. “I have wandered away like a lost sheep; come and find me, for I have not forgotten Your commandments” (verse 176). In this verse, the Psalmist understood that he was like a sheep in need of God’s guidance and direction. By acknowledging this truth, he took a step toward healing by turning to God.

The truth is, this Psalmist is not the only one who was like a sheep. Scripture makes it clear that each one of us is like sheep and needs a shepherd to lead and guide us. The question is, do we realize this truth? Are we willing to acknowledge it to ourselves and to God? When we understand that we are like sheep, needing God to guide us, we can progress in the direction that God is calling us to go with our lives. It is true. We are like sheep, and we need a shepherd.

MOVING TOWARD ACTION

It is time for you and me to acknowledge that we are very much like sheep. Take a few moments and pray to God. As you pray, say, “God, I know that I am like a sheep. I am lost on my own without You, and I need You to lead me. Will You be with me today?” As your prayer comes to an end, do not forget to thank God that He has not left us, who are like sheep, alone.

GOING DEEPER

Read Psalm 119:169-176 (NLT)