American author Julia Ward Howe is remembered chiefly for her poem Battle Hymn of the Republic. According to her daughter, Howe once invited her friend US Senator Charles Summer to meet a rising young actor. But he declined her invitation, saying, "I don’t know that I should care to meet him. I have outlived my interest in individuals." Julia later wrote in her diary, "Fortunately, God Almighty had not, by last accounts, gotten so far."
Aren’t you glad the Lord hasn’t gotten beyond caring about people? In fact, our heavenly Father is interested in every individual member of the human family.
According to Jesus, the Father is like a devoted shepherd who leaves his flock of 99 sheep in the safety and shelter of the fold and sacrificially goes out to find that one lost lamb (LUKE 15:4-6). Indeed, to help us understand the intensely individual nature of God’s love, Jesus declared that the very hairs of our head are numbered (MATTHEW 10:30). It’s amazing that this divine Shepherd even laid down His life for us, His sheep (JOHN 10:11).
Are you a lost sheep, needing Jesus the Shepherd to find you? Call out to Him today and let Him rescue you. Remember, you matter to God. – Vernon C. Grounds
I’ve found a Friend, O such a Friend!
He loved me ere I knew Him;
He drew me with the cords of love;
And thus He bound me to Him. – Small
READ: LUKE 15:3-7
When we find Christ, we discover we were the ones who were lost.