Hold On, Lost Sheep—God is Planning Your Rescue

Are you in a place where you feel as if no one can reach you? Allow me to peek in, and talk to you for just a minute.

I have been in a place like this before. I ended up there during my journey of unspeakable pain—the kind of pain that no one else is able to understand, unless they have been through it themselves.

Most people are well-meaning. But if someone hasn’t personally traveled that particular road, well intentioned (but wrongly-worded) advice can actually cause more hurt.

It made me feel very alone, and isolated. And the more lonely and misunderstood I felt, the more I isolated myself even further. I stepped off the path, and crawled into into a deep cave to hide.

Self-protection is the natural thing to do when you’re wounded. We’re only human.

But as a wounded Christian, my mistake was crouching down in the darkness to lick my own wounds—when I should have stood and bathed myself in the light.

After a while, I realized I was trapped in my cave of isolation, and of sin. For me, it was the sin of self-pity.

Maybe you feel trapped, too. You may feel weak. You may feel lost.

And even if you know the way out, you just don’t have the spiritual energy to make the journey.

This can also be a time where an addiction, once battled and defeated, can raise its ugly head again—making you doubt your deliverance, and tempting you.

What you need is a rescue.

You know that—and desperately want it. But it’s hard to believe that anyone can reach you.

Even God.

Are you nodding your head with me? I’m not about to lecture you for a lack of faith in God. I know where you are, and it’s complicated.

My faith was intact—just as present and alive as the day I was first saved. But there’s something about waiting—and waiting, and waiting, and waiting…

You call out—and your cry seems to bounce off the walls. The only response you can hear is the echo of your own voice. After that comes excruciating silence.

Still nodding your head with me? Do you feel like God has forgotten you?

He hasn’t. He sees you—exactly where you are. And He’s going in for a rescue.

You’ve just got to hold on.

Not long ago, the world’s attention was focused on a compelling news headline: twelve boys, all members of an Indonesian soccer team, along with their coach, were trapped deep within in a cave. We all collectively held our breath, as we waited for reports of their status.

They weren’t supposed to be there that day. It was reported that the team had ignored warning signs on the path, urging hikers to not take the risk. But they did.

“There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” (Proverbs 14:12)

I’m sure they mentally kicked themselves a thousand times, as they realized the seriousness of their mistake. Flooding forced them to go deeper than they ever intended—and now, with the rain waters rising, they found themselves trapped.

They were in deep—alone, and in darkness. They knew that no person would hear their calls for help.

They had no food, and were slowly running out of oxygen. We can imagine how terrified they must have felt, as they waited in that dark hollow of earth, wondering if it would become their grave.

Most concerning was the news that more heavy rains were expected within days. This would extinguish any rescue efforts. It would mean certain death for these boys.

Time was running out quickly. But little did they know of the grand rescue plan taking place, outside of the cave.

Governments around the world shared information, talent and resources. Equipment, police officers, military personnel and volunteer divers were brought in from dozens of countries. An estimated 10,000 people were involved in the rescue effort.

The boys didn’t know all of that. For all they knew, they would have to make their own way out. They even tried to dig a hole.

But they never gave up hope.

You know the end of this story: their rescue was dramatic and miraculous.

You may think you don’t have much in common with a young Indonesian soccer team. But in your heart, you possess the very thing they had—and you have a million more reasons to have it.

Hope.

Your Rescuer is coming, friend. This is no time to give up hope. And this certainly is no time to beat yourself up for where you are at right now.

This is the time for you to hold on.

Firmly hold on—to your faith:

“Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised)” (Hebrews 10:23)

Firmly hold on—to the truth:

“Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” (1 Thessalonians 5:21)

Firmly hold on—to everything you have in Christ:

“Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.” (Revelation 3:11)

It might be hard for you to imagine—in a world filled billions with people—that God would really be concerned about just one small individual.

And when you find yourself lost, and alone—and out of touch with everything you know—it may be hard to trust that God still knows exactly where you are.

Not only does God know exactly where you are, but He still knows who you are, right where you are.

And a good Shepherd always goes after His one lost sheep.

“And he spake this parable unto them, saying, What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.

And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.
I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.” (Luke 15:3-7)

In this parable told by Jesus, you may notice that the shepherd wasn’t upset with his lost one. When he found his little one, he didn’t give it a good spanking. He didn’t yell at his lost sheep in anger. No blame was given—none at all.

But when he found his lost one, he laid it upon his strong shoulders, and joyfully brought it home.

And he didn’t stop there. When they got home, the shepherd invited all of his friends and neighbors to rejoice with him—because his lost sheep was safely home once again.

Jesus concludes His parable by declaring that there is great joy in heavenly realms when one lost person repents, and is returned to his Lord! Jesus makes it so obvious to us that even one lost person is vitally important to God.

God will never give up on even one lost sheep of His. Not even me—or you.

Every one of us has gone the wrong way, at one time or another—a wrong direction that leads us into a lot of trouble. God sees the mistakes we make.

And He understands the pain and the anguish we’ll go through, because of our own misguided thinking. He knows quite well the dangers that one sheep, venturing off alone, can fall into.

You may find yourself in this isolated place, alone and afraid. But God already knew that you would end up here.

And His arm is not too short, that He cannot reach you. But you must reach for Him. By reaching for Him, you take an active role in the grand plan for your rescue.

The cave boys would have never been rescued, had they not submitted to the plan, actively participated, and trusted their rescuers.

And woven within their harrowing story is the most compelling fact of all: someone died to save them. During the set up of equipment within the cave, a Thai navy seal had lost his life in the process.

Friend, Someone—the Lord Jesus Christ—died to save you. Yes, You.

And no matter what, He’s going after you.

Don’t give up hope. Believe, and hold on to everything you know—in your heart of hearts—is true.

Your Good Shepherd is coming to rescue you. He will put you on His strong shoulders, and joyfully carry you home.

And all of Heaven awaits the good news.

Just hold on.

 

 

 

Your One True Purpose: To Be His