Hope FirstSample

The One

How important is one individual person to God? Matthew 18:12-13 says, “What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off.” This is how much God cares for one soul. When one is lost, He doesn’t leave it to wander and focus on the 99 that stayed. He leaves the 99 to find the one. When life catches you by surprise and you wonder if God is still with you, remember this: we have a Father who will meet us where we are - wherever we are. 

One of Jesus' disciples experienced this first hand after Jesus’ resurrection. His name was Thomas and he’s more famously called ”Doubting Thomas” After Jesus rose from the dead, He went to see the disciples. However, Thomas was absent. When the disciples told him, "We've seen the Lord!" (John 20:25), Thomas replied, "If I don't see the mark of the nails in his hands, put my finger into the mark of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will never believe." Quite a response from Jesus’ own disciple. Have you ever felt ashamed of your doubt? Or felt like you should have known better than to make a mistake that still haunts you? Thankfully, we have a Savior who doesn’t judge us for our doubts or mistakes. He hears us and is willing to show us He is near at all times. He did just that in John 20:26-29. "A week later his disciples were indoors again, and Thomas was with them. Even though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ Then he said to Thomas, ’Put your finger here and look at my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Don't be faithless, but believe.’ Thomas responded to him, ’My Lord and my God!’ To which Jesus said, 'Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.'"

Jesus didn't have to go back to where the disciples were, but He did for the one:  for Thomas. Jesus chose to meet Thomas where he was. And he will do the same for us. When we are struggling, worried, or frustrated about our circumstances, we can tell God. We can cry out to God without fear of being judged, rejected, or abandoned.  God wants us to confide in Him because we are His children. No matter what we experience or how far we stray, He will leave the ninety-nine and meet us right where we are.

PRAYER

Father, Thank You for showing me that I am valuable to You. I’m sorry for the times that I doubt Your presence or Your love for me. I ask that You continue to show Yourself to me. May I focus my eyes on You and believe that You are always with me. 

In Jesus’ Name, Amen