"ALL WE LIKE SHEEP HAVE GONE ASTRAY." We have turned every one to his own way, yet the Lord cares for us. We are prone to wander, and having wandered we never return till the good Shepherd seeks us. But His eye is upon the wanderer. His heart yearns after it. He follows it with reproofs, rebukes, and earnest pleadings, until He restores it. He convinces of the folly of wandering from the fold and the soul becomes unhappy with its wandering state. Then a spirit of prayer is awakened, concern to return deepens and the sheep creeps to the Shepherd's feet, acknowledges its sin and folly, implores mercy, and cries, "Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation." It is taken up by the Shepherd's saving arms, and carried back with gentle reproofs to the fold. Every restoration is of grace. In every instance it is the Shepherd's care that restores the wandering soul. The restored wanderer always feels deeply humbled, flies to the precious blood of atonement, admires restoring mercy, becomes more cautious, careful, and circumspect; his conscience is made more tender, his hatred of sin is made deeper, and his jealousy of his own heart is made more lively. He pants for the presence of the Shepherd, prizes the ordinances of God, and watches more diligently unto prayer.

For Meditation:
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it;
Prone to leave the God I love -
Here's my heart, Lord, take and seal it,
Seal it for Thy courts above.