Rejoicing in All That We Do Know!

Read: Luke 15:3-10; Romans 10:20-21; 2 Peter 3:9

Now that we have turned the calendar to November, many different things enter our minds. We are considering holiday plans that might be similar to last year's festivities or plans that might be altogether different. One thing is certain. If we have precious ones who don't yet belong to the Jesus we love, we carry around an empty place which will only be filled when they come to understand that they are loved by an all knowing and all-powerful God. So loved that He came to live among us to make a way for them to be with Him for eternity, John 1:14; John 3:16.

There are things that we don't totally understand concerning Jesus' calling them to Himself. Sometimes, we try to comprehend the truth of being chosen and how it joins hands with the truth of whosoever may come. People much more gifted due to their study of the ancient languages know a great deal more than I do.

So, what can we do when we try to understand the oh so very deep truths of God? For today, may I settle on one precious piece of that question and say that we can rejoice in how much God longs for our loved ones to come to rest in Him for their salvation, 2 Peter 3:9. He is reaching out to those who are not seeking Him, Romans 10:20-21. Oh, how we long for them to know that. Our Savior is not indifferent. He hears our prayers and understands our longings that they will be saved. After all, He too wept for His own people and longed for them to come to Him, Luke 19:41-44. He knows the hardness of their hearts or the wounds that they carry that have kept them from Him. He knows them far better than even we do.

Sadly, we each have so many friends who grieve as Jesus did, their children or grandchildren are lost. Their siblings or parents don't want to know the One Whom they love. Some of these have walked away from the Savior their loved ones thought they knew, and some of them perhaps never really did belong to the Lord. The Good News is that, though they are presently in this place of unbelief, we know that Jesus is continuing to seek them, Luke 19:10. What a love that is. The kind that continues to reach out to even those who might have spurned Him. That was a truth that the religious leaders in Jesus' day didn't understand. They saw lost people as those in whose presence; they didn't want to be. They would never eat with them as Jesus did.

How different the Savior's heart was and is now. He longs for people to run to Him. He told those who looked with contempt on the prostitutes and tax collectors that there was rejoicing when they turned to God. No, they weren't put on probation or kept far away from those who believed they were a cut above the ones they called sinners. So, we know that God Is seeking our precious ones. Heaven is waiting for them to come and there will be a celebration when they do, Luke 15:7. Each time we call out to God on behalf of someone who is lost, we are near to His heart. After all, salvation has always been His plan. Before the world was created, the plan to bring people back to God was in place.

Let's finish these thoughts with the words of the ninety and nine. A beautiful song that reminds us of the love of God towards our precious ones. Perhaps this holiday season will be extra special because some of them become new creations, 2 Corinthians 5:17. Having been transformed by the Lord!

“There were ninety and nine that safely lay In the shelter of the fold But one was out on the hills away Far off from the gates of gold Away on the mountains wild and bare Away from the tender Shepherd's care Away from the tender Shepherd's care Lord, Thou askest here Thy ninety and nine Are they not enough for Thee?

But the Shepherd may answer, "This of Mine Has wandered away from Me And although the path be rough and steep, I go to the desert to find My sheep I go to the desert to find My sheep"

But none of the ransomed ever knew

How deep were the waters crossed

Nor how dark was the night that the Lord passed through Where He found His sheep that was lost For out in the desert, He heard its cry 'Twas sick and helpless and ready to die 'Twas sick and helpless and ready to die Lord, whence are those blood drops all the way That marks out the mountain's track?

They are shed for one who had gone astray Ere the Shepherd could bring him back Lord, whence are Thy hands so rent and torn?

They are pierced tonight by many a thorn They are pierced tonight by many a thorn But all through the mountains thundering And up from the rocky steep There rose the glad cry to the gate of heav'n "Rejoice, I have found My sheep"

And the angels echoed round the throne "Rejoice, for the Lord brings back His own Rejoice, for the Lord brings back His own"

Songwriters: Joseph Rottura, Elizabeth C. Clephane, Ira David Sankey.

For non-commercial use only.