Matthew 18:12 AMP
[12] “What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them gets lost, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountain and go in search of the one that is lost?
This is one of the parables of Jesus, by which he taught both the crowd and his disciples about the principles, practices and processes of God's kingdom. It is not a kingdom where things are done carelessly, but rather, it is a kingdom that is strategic and deliberate in its short, medium and long-term planning. As part of its strategy, the kingdom invites people into its fold, asking them to come in, find pasture and nourishment in the fold. All that the sheep needs is provided under that fold. There is an identity by which the sheep of a fold is known and recognised, and there is no confusion about ownership or direction. The owner knows the number of sheep under his care, and can make adequate and sufficient provision for the needs of all the sheep. The first lesson for me then is to clearly identify where I am. Am I part of the sheepfold of God? Can God say, of a truth, that I belong to Him, and I am a part of His fold? Remember, provisions are guaranteed for the sheep in the fold. If you do not belong to a particular fold, you cannot access that which has been assigned to that particular fold.
It is this careful thought and planning that makes it easy for the owner to know when even one is missing. This is the second lesson for me: I am not just a number to God; I am engraved on his palm, so he can never forget me. When he stretches his arm to do good, to bless, to strengthen, I am right before him. I am not a casualty of numbers or multitudes; I cannot get lost in the crowd. The woman with the issue of blood is a good example of how much God notices me, even when there is a press. However, from the story above, it would appear that God will not go against the exercise of a man's freewill. If a sheep decides not to listen to the direction and instruction of the owner, it will definitely get lost. God is powerful and capable to keep, but I have to stay within His provision. The grace of God is not able to preserve a man who is unrepentant in sin. As I take stock today, I need to determine if I am still in the sheepfold or if I have wandered off. The danger out there is real; the devil only knows how to steal, kill and destroy. I must not place my life in the hands of the devil.
God is more than able to keep and preserve, but I have to hand over my life to Him. Does He own you? When even just one is lost, the number of those who are not lost is not enough to make the owner forget to go look for the one that is lost. God will never give up on me until I reject Him to the end. This is why the worst of sinners find grace and help when they call upon the Lord. The owner will keep the other 99 who are fine, and go in search of the 1 that is lost. The parable goes on to tell us that the lost sheep was found, but have you considered: "What if He did not find the lost sheep"? Does that change the heart of the owner of the sheep? Just as the love of the owner is not in doubt, so also is the need for the sheep to make a commitment to surrender and obey the instructions of the owner. I cannot insist on my own way as the sheep, and expect the owner to just go along with it. How does the owner protect the sheep from danger if it is the sheep dictating terms? 1 lost sheep is enough to make God go all out in search of the lost. His arms are open wide to receive me, but I must not resist to the point of death. Then, it will be too late. God's time of favour is here.
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