PRAISE & PRAYER PROMPT ••• Friends, I seriously overslept this morning.
My alarms start going off at 4:55, and I’m usually up by 5:30.
But today, I didn’t get up until 6:40.
So I am way off track today!
When I thought about what to write this morning (that I could write quickly), the verse from Matthew 18:12 came to mind…
“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?”
It’s no secret that I’m a reformed prodigal; I’ve shared that before.
And while sleeping late doesn’t indicate a new prodigal journey, it is a reminder that sometimes we get off track.
And when we get off track, and if we wander, we have a Good Shepherd who will always work to bring us back.
The next verses say, “And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish” (Matthew 18:13-14).
I love that we have a Heavenly Father who wants us safe in the security of heaven, and Who celebrates the return of any who have gone astray.
Each of us has gotten off track at some point or another because no matter how much we love Jesus, we wage a constant war with our human nature.
Whether being off track was a season of disengagement or a season of outright rebellion, God has celebrated your return to His flock.
Today, as you pray, thank God for being a good, loving, and attentive Father.
Thank Him that He is always willing to open His arms to you when you get off track.
If you are a bit off in your relationship with Jesus, ask the Holy Spirit to help you refocus and get back on track.
And pray for loved ones who are lost, that they too will be found.
