I Love Jesus: 11-Day Devotional by Mac PowellSample

Have you ever felt completely lost? Abandoned? All alone?

So many of us at one time or another have strayed away from where we are supposed to be spiritually, mentally, and sometimes even physically.

Maybe we strayed away from God because of the poor decisions we have made — like the prodigal son who was selfish and squandered his Father’s blessings on himself by his own selfishness.

Or, maybe we find ourselves straying away from God because of something someone else has done to us because of ill and evil feelings they have towards us.

We have all felt that hopelessness of being lost and not knowing how to get back “home.”

My song, “The 99” is about the amazing parable that Jesus tells us in Luke 15:4-7. In these four short verses, Jesus tells of the amazing grace and abundant love that he and our Father in Heaven have for us.

Jesus explains in the story that there is immense joy in heaven over a lost person returning to the love of God.

This is the heart of my song, “The 99.”

Here’s a glimpse of the lyrics:

I know you left the 99

To come and rescue me

When I have wandered way too far

From where I’m supposed to be

There ain’t no one too far gone

Oh, Jesus, I believe

Because I know you left the 99

To come and rescue me

This also reminds me of the famous passage in the Bible, Psalm 23.

“The 99” encourages us that “the Lord is our shepherd.”

That means he watches over us. He protects us. He cares for us. He helps us through our difficult situations.

Today’s challenge for you: take 30 seconds to think back on your own testimony and the moment that God saved you.

Back to Luke 15. Out of the 100 sheep that our caring Shepherd has…one of them has strayed away.

Notice what it says in verse five. The shepherd…our Lord…is not mad for having to go after us. He is not tired from the work.

No, my friends. He “puts us on his shoulders” and brings us home! He rejoices!

Something I love in this story is that Jesus said that after finding the lost sheep, the shepherd called his friends together to celebrate.

Jesus says that there is joy in heaven over the sinner who repents and turns back to God!

I don’t know about you, but I hope to see this kind of party in Heaven one day!

Let us be reminded that God has a great love for us and longs to be with us.

Listen to his voice. Hear him calling out to you.

Receive the invitation that he has given to bring you back home.

I hope my song, “The 99” encourages you today.