Bible Passages

Read Matthew 18:10-14.

Read Luke 15.

If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

2 Chronicles 7:14 (ESV)

Devotion

Before you were born, God set a special path, designed just for you and only you. He created you to be the perfect person for that path. Only you can travel your special path. If you stay on that path, it will be easy and fun (mostly). Along the way, He will hold your hand. He will carry you through the difficult parts, the challenges, the tests.

The Bible is full of examples of people who went through hard times and came out with more blessings than they imagined. Joseph, Moses, Jonah, Abraham, Hannah, Noah, Ruth, Isaiah, Job, and most notably Jesus, to name but a few, showed us how to follow Him. They showed us how to be godly, happy, and blessed. Even when they fell into darkness, God was with them. We remember them because they held tightly to God’s hand through the bad times and the good times. We remember them because we love to hear their stories over and over. Their stories put our own troubles into perspective, and give us hope when we’re going through dark times. They remind us that God loves to take us out of our lowest moments, and bring us to our highest moments. Just like the dark nights makes us appreciate the sunrise, our dark moments make us appreciate God’s blessings with praise and gratitude.

Joseph was on top of the world as a child. His family was prosperous. He lacked for nothing. His father favored him above all his other children, but his siblings were jealous. They started a series of events that should have made him crumble. Joseph endured all the many hardships set before him, praising God all the while. Joseph’s faithfulness to God paid off and God’s plan for him was fulfilled.

Job did everything right and was doing quite well, but lost everything anyway. Through no fault of his own, he lost his wife, his children, his livestock, and his crops. Through all his losses, Job kept praising God. Job knew God still loved him, even though it didn’t always seem that way. Try as he might, the devil couldn’t get any traction on Job. Job was loyal to God. He never cursed God. The devil finally gave up trying to tempt Job away from God. That’s when Job’s rewards kicked in. He got back more than double what he had before. Job got a new wife, twice as many children, and his crops and livestock were more than doubled.

We aren’t always as faithful to God and Joseph and Job. Sometimes we lose our way. Think of the parable of the lost sheep, in which Jesus reminds us that no matter how far from God we stray, He hasn’t forgotten or abandoned us. He sends messengers (human and angel) to remind us of His love. Like Joseph and Job, we need to grab onto God. He is waiting for that. When we do, He will carry us through the brambles and rocks and other rough patches to bring us back to the flock. Just by reaching out to Him again, He will rescue us from our troubles and bring us home.

When we return to Him, just like the father of the prodigal son, He will joyously run to greet us and welcome us home. He will throw a party in heaven in our honor, complete with a live band and a spiritual buffet. We will feast until we overflow with His love and grace. He will bless us in heaven and on Earth. We don’t all get the same rewards, but they will be the rewards we need in that moment. We will be delivered and free, forgiven and comforted, rich in spirit and happy in our hearts, safe under His protective wings.

Follow where He leads you. He will provide almost everything you need to succeed. The only thing missing is you. God gave us free will, the ability to choose for ourselves what we do with our lives. He wants you to give yourself, fully and completely, to Him. When you do this, the results will amaze you!

Prayer Focus

Those in danger of turning away from God.

Prayer

Heavenly Shepherd of the lost, thank you for keeping me in Your loving arms. Help me stay focused on You. When I stray, help me find You again. Gladden my heart with Your love and grace. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Final Thought

God is waiting for you.