Devotional: "The Shepherd Who Runs Toward the Lost"
By Jeremiah Swann
Devotional: "The Shepherd Who Runs Toward the Lost"
Narrative: The Song in the Hills
The sun was sinking low, casting long shadows over the rugged hills where sheep grazed. The shepherd leaned on his staff, scanning the flock. He knew every one of them—not just their number but their movements, their markings, even their moods. He could tell when one was limping or tired, when one was stubborn, or when one had a curious streak that might lead it astray.
Tonight, he noticed one was missing. He didn’t hesitate. He didn’t wonder if it was worth the trouble. He left the ninety-nine in the safety of the fold and set out into the wild terrain, calling the lost sheep’s name into the growing darkness. His voice echoed in the empty canyons, his steps unwavering.
The sheep, trembling and caught in a thicket, bleated weakly. And the shepherd, with a strength born of love, reached down, untangled it, and carried it home on his shoulders, whispering as he went, “You’re safe now. I’ve found you.”
Precept: God Pursues Us Relentlessly
This is the heart of the Gospel: a God who doesn’t wait for us to find Him but runs after us when we’re lost. In a world that measures worth by productivity and perfection, God flips the script. He values the one who wanders, the one who feels unworthy, the one who feels forgotten.
But here’s the challenge: Can we accept being carried? Can we rest in the arms of a Shepherd who loves us not because of what we do but simply because we are His?
Parable 1: The Runner Who Refused to Stop
A runner was racing through the forest, her feet pounding the ground with the rhythm of her own striving. She had heard there was a place of rest somewhere ahead, but she was determined to find it on her own terms.
Behind her, she could hear someone calling her name, but she ran faster, afraid to slow down. Eventually, she stumbled, her strength spent. It was then that the voice drew near, not in anger, but in kindness: “Why are you running? The place of rest has been with you all along. I’ve been following you this whole time.”
We are often like that runner—driven, restless, striving to prove our worth. But the Shepherd’s voice reminds us: You don’t have to run anymore. Just let Me carry you.
Scriptures for Reflection
Luke 15:4-6 (NLT): “If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders.”
Axiom: To God, the lost are not forgotten. They are sought after with joy, not judgment.
Psalm 23:1-3 (KJV): “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul.”
Axiom: The Shepherd doesn’t just rescue; He restores. Rest in His provision.
Isaiah 40:11 (NLT): “He will feed His flock like a shepherd. He will carry the lambs in His arms, holding them close to His heart.”
Axiom: God’s closeness is not a promise for the strong, but a comfort for the weary.
Ezekiel 34:11-12 (NLT): “For this is what the Sovereign LORD says: I myself will search and find my sheep. I will be like a shepherd looking for his scattered flock. I will find my sheep and rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on that dark and cloudy day.”
Axiom: No place is too dark for God to reach you.
John 10:27-28 (NLT): “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me.”
Axiom: God’s grip on you is stronger than your grip on Him.
Matthew 11:28-29 (NLT): “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
Axiom: The Shepherd’s invitation is always to rest, not to perform.
2 Peter 3:9 (KJV): “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”
Axiom: God’s patience is not hesitation—it’s pursuit.
Hebrews 13:20-21 (NLT): “Now may the God of peace—who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep—equip you with all you need for doing His will.”
Axiom: The Shepherd not only rescues but equips us for the journey ahead.
Micah 7:8 (KJV): “Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD shall be a light unto me.”
Axiom: Even in the darkness, the Shepherd’s light finds us.
Revelation 7:17 (NLT): “For the Lamb on the throne will be their Shepherd. He will lead them to springs of life-giving water. And God will wipe every tear from their eyes.”
Axiom: The Shepherd’s care is eternal—it begins now and continues forever.
Parable 2: The Lost Coin and the Light in the Dark
A woman once lost a coin in her house. It wasn’t just any coin—it was part of a dowry, precious and irreplaceable. She didn’t shrug it off, nor did she wait for it to turn up. She lit a lamp, swept the floor, and searched every corner until she found it. When she did, she didn’t keep the joy to herself. She called her neighbors, celebrating as though she had found treasure.
God’s pursuit of us is like that. He lights lamps in the darkest places, sweeps away the debris of our lives, and searches until He finds us. And when He does, He doesn’t scold us for being lost—He rejoices.
Applying the Precept to Your Daily Life
When You Feel Unworthy:
Thought to hold: God’s pursuit of you isn’t based on your merit—it’s based on His love.
Scripture Reminder: Isaiah 40:11: “He will carry the lambs in His arms, holding them close to His heart.”
Moment-to-Moment Practice: Whisper this truth to yourself throughout the day: “I am sought after. I am loved.”
When You Feel Exhausted:
Thought to hold: Rest is a gift the Shepherd offers, not something you have to earn.
Scripture Reminder: Matthew 11:28: “Come to Me, all of you who are weary, and I will give you rest.”
Moment-to-Moment Practice: When stress rises, pause and pray: “Lord, I surrender my burdens to You.”
When You Feel Forgotten:
Thought to hold: God never stops searching for you, no matter how far you wander.
Scripture Reminder: Ezekiel 34:11-12: “I myself will search and find My sheep.”
Moment-to-Moment Practice: Look around you today and name one way you see God pursuing you—whether through a kind word, a moment of peace, or an answered prayer.
Reflection Questions
Do you believe God is pursuing you right now? Why or why not?
Where in your life are you resisting being carried by the Shepherd?
How can you reflect the Shepherd’s love by pursuing someone who feels lost?
Closing Prayer
Lord, You are the Shepherd who never gives up on us. We praise You for leaving the ninety-nine to search for the one—for searching for us. Forgive us for the times we’ve run, for the moments we’ve doubted Your love, and for resisting Your care. Teach us to rest in Your arms, to trust Your voice, and to rejoice in Your relentless pursuit. Thank You for carrying us home. In Jesus’ name, amen.
