The flip side of Jesus going after the one sheep lost, is that he leaves 99 behind… But I know shepherds surely don’t usually work alone; they have other shepherds to help…  So, those other 99, they probably will be perfectly fine. They (we) like sheep can stick together closely, right? Jesus is sure they will – otherwise He wouldn’t charge them with taking care of each other… We do know best to stay together and we must be willing to be OK. Yes.

We do know how to stick together, right? Yes, we do. We do know how to huddle and ask Jesus to come find us, right? We hopefully do. We do know how to follow and keep on the path, right? We prayerfully do.

Jesus would go after just the one, and we must also sometimes put our needs aside and be Jesus to go after that one or this one or any one. (Sometimes simply most powerfully in prayer we can reach them by God if we can’t reach them by hand).

So often we need to take some time with Jesus. Jesus would understand that, Jesus Himself went 40 days out into the wilderness just to be with God and God alone. In ourselves we can find that special hidden place where we discuss everything with God. 

The Lord knows so much that He waits out where you are going, He knows. Jesus is there, Jesus is aware. We are children of His flock.

Amen

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Psalm 77 (said Jesus from Heaven)

For the director of music. For Jeduthun. Of Asaph. A psalm.

I cried out to God for help; I cried out to God to hear me. When I was in distress, I sought the Lord; at night I stretched out untiring hands, and I would not be comforted.

I remembered you, God, and I groaned; I meditated, and my spirit grew faint. You kept my eyes from closing; I was too troubled to speak.

I thought about the former days, the years of long ago; I remembered my songs in the night.  My heart meditated and my spirit asked:

“Will the Lord reject forever? Will he never show his favor again? Has his unfailing love vanished forever? Has his promise failed for all time? Has God forgotten to be merciful? Has he in anger withheld his compassion?”

Then I thought, “To this I will appeal: the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand. I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”

Your ways, God, are holy. What god is as great as our God? You are the God who performs miracles;you display your power among the peoples. With your mighty arm you redeemed your people, the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.

The waters saw you, God, the waters saw you and writhed; the very depths were convulsed. The clouds poured down water, the heavens resounded with thunder; your arrows flashed back and forth. Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind, your lightning lit up the world; the earth trembled and quaked.

Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen.

You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.