"I HAVE LONGED FOR THY SALVATION, O LORD." This is the humble confession of a man of God, and should we not adopt it as our own this morning? Have not we also gone astray? Does not this display our weakness? How foolish to wander from so kind a Shepherd, so rich a pasture, so good a fold! Is it not a mark of folly? Jesus has warned and cautioned us against it in His word. Is it not proof of our ingratitude? O how ungrateful to forsake Him after so many favours, such rich blessings, such tokens of unmerited kindness! Does it not betray our folly, to go from good to bad, from safety to danger, from plenty to want and wretchedness? O the power of corruption, the deceitfulness of the human heart! Lord, lead Thy servants, for we do not forget Thy commandments. We smart for our folly; we grieve over our sin; we desire to return; restore us to Thy fold, to the enjoyment of Thy favour; and enable us to delight in Thy ways. Jesus, Shepherd of the sheep, bring us back from all our wanderings, and keep us near Thyself; for why should we turn aside from Thy flock and fold?

For Meditation:
Thou knowest the way to lead me back,
My straying spirit to restore;
O for Thy truth and mercy's sake,
Forgive, and bid me sin no more;
The sin wounds of my soul repair,
And make my heart a house of prayer.