Beautiful Word Devotional #50

“Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?”

Luke 15:4

This verse offers great encouragement to those who love prodigals—friends or family members who have wandered off into places that seem far away from God and unreachable.

The truth is, God loves your prodigal far more than you do. This truth is hard to grasp, particularly if the prodigal is your child. But Jesus’ love for his children is relentless: he tirelessly seeks after those who run away, who are lost, who are wayward.

Perhaps it will help to envision the scene in this verse as you pray for a prodigal. Imagine Jesus leaving the sheepfold, walking through the gate and beyond green mountains in search of that sheep. He continues his search until he finds the lamb he loves.

Do you realize that Jesus did this for you? Jesus sought you. He looked for you in distant fields, but he didn’t hesitate. Jesus’ love is the kind that pursues and seeks. Rest in that knowledge today.

Lord, I’m grateful that you relentlessly pursue lost people. Please find my prodigal, amen.