Pursued by God - All Our Daily Bread Daily Devotionals for 2026

Bible in a Year : Isaiah 47-49, 1 Thessalonians 4

I have strayed like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, for I have not forgotten your commands.
Psalm 119:176

Today's Scripture & Insight : Psalm 119:169-176

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—but 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.

By: Marvin Williams

Reflect & Pray
In what ways have you drifted away from God and His wisdom? In what ways will you remember His instruction today?

Gracious God, I recognize that I’m often like a lost sheep—easily distracted and led astray. Please bring me back to Your side.