By David Brenneman
"So He told them this parable, saying, “What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open pasture and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? " Luke 15:3-4.
The wandering of a soul causes Jesus deep sorrow. He cannot bear the thought of one perishing. Such is the love and tenderness of His heart that He cannot bear one of His own should be in jeopardy. He can take no rest as long as a soul for whom He shed His blood still abides under the dominion of Satan and under the power of sin. Therefore the Great Shepherd neither night or day forgets His sheep. - Pastor Alistair Begg
We often don't see the forest for the trees. We see our plight, our problems, our issues, our weaknesses even and not much else. We feel the weight and are consumed with wondering if Jesus heard our prayers and if He did, why hasn't He done anything.
We also are often at the other end of a string of bad decisions and the choices we made appear to be irreparable.
We have a deep seated anxiety that's more or less PTSD. Post traumatic stress disorder.
In no way has Jesus ever forgotten a single individual who has ever lived or will live. For those whom the world hasn't judged worthy to be granted a chance at living life due to abortions, these He draws to Himself immediately. There's no one in any corner of the universe that is misplaced or forgotten by Jesus.
Our anxious thoughts can surround us quickly. But they are of no surprise to God. Look how quickly Peter went from walking on water to sinking. Look at how quickly David went from doing great as a King to his downfall due to his illicit relationship with Bathsheba. Right straight into justified murder.
"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." Psalms 23:1-6.
The Apostle Paul struggled greatly with anxiety. I think Peter did too.
Concerns for the Churches weighing on them daily. There was no texting or email or phone calls to get word on how people were doing.
In our world it may be something smaller. Might be our health taking a turn. Might be choices to make concerning employment or where to live. Dealing with unruly neighbors day in and day out.
Yet another of Satan's schemes is to overwhelm people. Realize my Dear Reader that he started mankind down the slippery slope of sin with "Did God really say?".
The insertion of a seed of doubt can produce a sunflower size problem.
Sometimes we struggle to keep our head in the game. So overwhelmed between resting and working. I call it the Mary-Martha syndrome.
I have had more occasionally than I want to recall in my life of when I doubted that Jesus remembered me. Yet in every single case quite the opposite was true.
"He who walks with integrity, and works righteousness, And speaks truth in his heart." Psalms 15:2.
We need to speak truth to ourselves regarding what Jesus says is true about us and our relationship with Him.
Thoughts can be a runaway freight train. Can be a small rock slide turned avalanche. Can be a small rain turned thunderstorm. It doesn't take much to do exactly as what happened to Peter on the water.
Fight back.
"speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father;" Ephesians 5:19-20
You can't expect a Godly response from secular reasoning or materials. If you keep looking at everything else, looking to everyone else, rather than staying focused on Jesus and what He said is true...into the downhill spiral you go.
We regard Him as the Great Physician. Yet don't realize the importance and depth of the spiritual surgeries He must do in our lives. He is NOT going to leave you to stay the way you are. The work of the Spirit is to conform us into the likeness of God the Son.
Quite often a skilled surgeon in the physical world will say absolutely nothing during a delicate situation. Yet we know he or she is there.
Jesus does these daily and in like manner...doesn't follow that He's off somewhere else.
Go back to the basics. Jesus so loved you that He gave His life for you. He saved you and He isn't going to leave you to at all fend for yourself. Your life is that precious in His sight.
What's more in this parable about the 99. He knew exactly which sheep was missing. Jesus said His sheep hear His voice and He knows them.
1 out of a 100 or 1 out of 8 billion, doesn't matter to the all knowing Savior, King and Lord of the Universe.
Rest in His arms. Don't keep fighting to get up when you shouldn't. Be at peace with knowing He is there even if silently.
If indeed you are saved, have placed your faith and trust in Jesus Christ alone for salvation...then this is for you: "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified." Romans 8:28-30.
Dr. Charles Stanley: Our situations in life are going to be there only as long as is necessary for God to accomplish His purpose in our lives.
Look in a mirror and tell yourself "I trust you Lord".
Speak truth to yourself. Pray these truths back to Jesus.
Note the last portion.
"Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you." Philippians 4:8-9.
Wrap your arms around Jesus and know that you know that you know that He is right there with you.
All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation.
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