The Lost Sheep

Thursday, May 27th, 2010

Today's Passage: Matthew 18:10-14
Memory Verse: Matt. 18: 12-14

Sometimes on our Christian journey, it seems as if we're playing the childhood game of "And then there was (one less)". One moment, we're all serving God, supposedly on fire and totally devoted to Him. The next, someone falls away for one reason or another. Those of us who remain go through a range of emotions. On one end is offensiveness (how dare they turn their back on everything God did for them?) On the other is hurt (why didn't they come to us when they were struggling?) In the middle, however, we're worried about whether they'll ever be able to come back to the Lord.

I love this passage because it puts us in check in all three of these areas. God's Word to us today is strong and confident about how He wants us to see those who are "lost". To the first question, Jesus warns us not to despise them, for "in Heaven their angels always see the face of My Father" (Matt. 18:10). This statement confirms what we already know about how carefully God watches over each soul, giving each of us an angel to gently cover and guide us back to His will. To the second question, God's answer is that they didn't come to us because, no matter how concerned we might be, we could NEVER be more concerned about their souls than He is. Whereas we might allow them to consume our thoughts for a few moments at a time, they NEVER leave His mind or heart for even one second. Remember, He's the One with the plans for using them to make Him famous before they were even born.

In light of Jesus' attitude in this passage, I guess the third question is as obsolete as the rest. There is certainly no need to worry about them getting back to a relationship with the Father -- especially if we are interceeding for them. Even to the stiffnecked children of Israel, God said, "I will show mercy to whom I will show mercy" (Exodus 33:19). Everytime I remember the great lengths God went to just so He could bring salvation to me, I'm reassured that this is the very same God Who is capable of leaving no stone unturned to find His "lost sheep". If there are people in your life in this spiritual state today, don't quit calling their names out to the Father -- but not out of worry. Be CONFIDENT that God is just as determined to find them as they are to be lost, and give Him praise in advance that they ARE coming back to the fold.

Prayer: Father, thank You for reminding us today that those who have walked away from You are still in Your heart, and so they should still be in ours. We call every single one of them back to Your feet, wherever they may be. And we DO give You praise in advance for knowing just what to do to bring them back to You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.