To the Rescue…
“So he told them this parable: “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.”
~ Luke 15:3-7 (ESV)
While driving home from work one late afternoon, I heard a loud ‘Kapow’ from the back of my car. It scarred the living daylights out of me. The driver next to me looked to the back of my car; I knew that I just had blown a tire—the tires I just got in July. I was fortunate enough that the driver let me pull over to the right hand lane so I could pull into a parking-lot (just glad that I don’t take the freeway)…
Believe it or not, but I have never, ever changed a tire in my life. So, I had to find a pay-phone to give my Sweetheart a call to come and ‘rescue’ me (yeah – I don’t have a cell-phone either…principal I guess). Do you know how hard it is to find a pay-phone these days?…I didn’t even had change to make the call, so I had to purchase something to get change. My Sweetheart was there within 30 minutes, helping me to change the tire. He even had water for me to wash my hands before I got back into my car…
As I was driving home, I thought about the passage in Luke. Jesus is telling the Pharisees and scribes that He will not give up on any of His sheep to get them back home. I was thinking about the time I went aimlessly through life, feeling lost without my Shepherd. He never gave up on me; He rejoiced when He found me in the thicket of life…He carried me back home-into the arms of my Heavenly Father.
I tell you one thing. No matter where you have been, no matter where you are now—He is searching for you. He is ready for you to come back home—He is ready to rescue you. He shed His blood for you to spend eternity with Him…
“Lord of Heaven and Earth. Thank You for never giving up on me, even when I didn’t pay attention to You and Your love. Thank You for rescuing me from myself. Lord, continue to keep me close to You and call me back if I am wandering back into the thicket. I am trusting in Your mercy. In precious name of Jesus ~ Amen.”
Blessings on your day and as always…
Great story and illustration Iris! I’m glad everything turned out OK w/ your tire!! I’m so glad the Lord is ready to rescue me – He knows I need it daily 🙂
It’s comforting to know we have someone ready to rescue us (both our husbands and our God).
Iris,
That guy of yours is so good. Loved this story and it is a great devotion today. Thank you. Hope you are well and happy. Lynn
I cannot describe the impact of this post today. I was hit when i began reading. This apparently was given to me as confirmation of something for which I’ve been praying for almost 5 years now. It is sweet knowing that even those long ago prayers didn’t fall to the wayside, but htat God has held each one in His hand for a time such as this.
Great post my friend.
Great reminder girl.
I thanked God this morning for my earthly tire changer. And I also thanked God for being my all the time God.
Thinking of you often.
Thank you for such a lovely devotion with a sweet illustration. Hope you’re enjoying your break.
what a comforting thought to know how relentlessly he pursues.
much love to you!
Lisa
That’s awesome Iris, and Jesus brings the water too! He washes us clean.
I heard a noise like a gunshot coming from the back seat one hot summer day. It scared me too! I was terrified. After I stopped the car, I found a can of frozen orange juice that exploded. I guess it rolled out of a shopping bag one day, and heated up to explosion. Wow.
Kapow! Wow, that got my attention! I resisted getting a cell phone for a long time, but finally I gave in to my husband’s pleas.
Now I’m so glad I have one… and yes, he rescued me when my fan belt broke recently… two hours away from home.
The Lord is indeed like that for us… searching hard for un until we’re found. Praise God.
Hugs!
Great analogy…
but please get a cell phone… this day and time.. it’s almost a safety issue…
I’m so thankful that our Savior was right there watching over you..
((((HUGS))))
What a perfect analogy Iris. I loved this.
I can’t change a tire either – and we don’t have cell phones. But we do have One who cares for us more than we can imagine.
And we both have Sweethearts who will come to our rescue!