Lost And Found
Lost and found to the rescue! Have you ever lost something, only to find it again where you least expect it? Ecstatic jubilation when the lost is found. This sentiment is likely familiar if you have ever lost your cell phone, wallet, or parked car. We all have a story that can be told. Recalling that time where you searched for something high and low from a few minutes, to hours, days, or even weeks on end. Only to find what you are looking for right where you left it. Realistically, losing something can trigger anxiety levels that can be quite intense. Setting off emotions of irritation, frustration, and outright panic. Wouldn’t it be dandy if the lost and found department would just magically come to your rescue?
Are You Looking For It?
Finding lost items always fills me with glee, just like a child reunited with a lost stuffie. It makes me ponder… why do I feel so elated when the tangible things in my life reappear? Alternatively, why do I not have these same anxious emotions when I get lost in poor choices or bad circumstances? Why doesn’t my heart race when I lose interest in spending time in God’s Word or attending worship? How can something be found when there is no motivation to even look for it?
If this describes what you have lost right now, I encourage you to let God come to the rescue. Listen to Him in places you might not expect. It is only in Him you will find refuge, renewed strength, and hope (Psalm 62:5-8). It is Jesus who will find you when you wander (Matthew 18:12-14). Yes, it will be our Good Shepherd who will rejoice the moment the lost is found (Luke 15:8-10). With Jesus, no matter if it takes a few minutes, a few hours, days, or even weeks on end… you will experience an even greater joy than you can ever imagine when you find what you have lost (Luke 15:11-31).
Jesus Finds Those Who Are Lost
My friends, Jesus seeks those who want to be found. So, if you find yourself “lost”, wandered off, or taken a wrong turn somewhere along the way in your relationship with God… Know that He is looking for you to rejoin the flock. In your wanderings, He is following close by, never once is He going to leave you stranded (Hebrews 13:5). It may be a common concern to think that Jesus will leave you behind, but He won’t. He will seek you out when you stray and provide you with an eternal hope (Luke 19:10). The “Great Finder” is consistently at work in your life, attentive to your minor and major losses. Just trust in Him. In fact, trust in Jesus in everything you cannot find, and He will help. Do not give up or lose hope, for the lost is forever found with His eternal promise (John 10:28).
Dear Lord, help me when I am lost and I will rejoice with you when I am found. Amen.
Psalm 62:5-8
Matthew 18:12-14
Luke 15:8-10
Luke 15:11-31
Hebrews 13:5
Luke 19:10
John 10:28
— Phil
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Today’s Scripture
Psalm 62:5-8
My Soul Waits for God Alone
5 For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. 6 He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. 7 On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God. 8 Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us.
Matthew 18:12-14
The Parable of the Lost Sheep
12 What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? 13 And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. 14 So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.
Luke 15:8-10
The Parable of the Lost Coin
8 “Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? 9 And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ 10 Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
Luke 15:11-31
The Parable of the Prodigal Son
11 And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. 13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. 14 And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything. 17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’ 20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to his servants,[4] ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. 23 And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate. 25 “Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.’ 28 But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, 29 but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’ 31 And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’”
Hebrews 13:5
Sacrifices Pleasing to God
5 Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Luke 19:10
Jesus and Zacchaeus
10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
John 10:28
I and the Father Are One
28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.