DAILY DISCIPLINE #160
By Colleen Donahue
In just a few verses we now learn something significant about God's people and the God that we belong to. Jesus, in asking what his disciples thought about a practical work issue in Palestine, was making his point for a greater spiritual issue.
In Palestine it wasn't an unusual sight to see a shepherd scouring the hillside for one of his flock that had wandered away. The flocks were often communal and he would leave the ninety and nine with another shepherd while he went to search. If you've ever had doubts whether you matter to God I hope this study will answer that question for you once and for all.
Do We Matter To God?
Studies continued from Matthew 18: 12-14
Day 1- From the question that Jesus asks in this verse we can see that one of us wandering away from His flock is not only possible but probable.
Matthew 18:12a
Day 2- To wander means to move about aimlessly without a fixed course or goal. When you think about a sheep wandering you get the picture of the animal with his head down to the ground going wherever he sees something to eat. He's not deliberately choosing to leave the flock but in his rambling and chewing he looks up to find himself alone. That may be a truer picture of you and I then we'd like to think. Without our eyes firmly fixed on Jesus we can amble through life reacting to the things that come our way until one day we look up and find we are off the highway of holiness and into a ditch.
Isaiah 53: 6a / Jeremiah 50: 6 / 1 Peter 2:25
Day 3- How can we prevent ourselves from wandering?
Joshua 1:8 / Psalm 119: 9-16 / Proverbs 4:23, 25-27 / Hebrews 12:1
Day 4- Yes, if we wake up one morning to find ourselves alone and away from all that is safe, what is true about the God that we belong to?
Matthew 18: 12b
ONE matters to God. You and I as individuals matter to Him. We may be part of a flock but his eye is always on each of us individually.
Luke 19:10
Day 5- He is a patient and seeking God. Notice in these verses how Jesus sought and found individuals. He called them by name.
John 1:43, 47-48 / John 5:14 / John 9:35
Day 6- You and I matter to God just the way the Israelites (God's own people) mattered to him.
Isaiah 43: 1-4
Day 7- But what if we have wandered off through our own sin and willfulness? Shouldn't we be afraid of God finding us?
Matthew 18:13 / Luke 15:5-7
Day 8- Finally we see that God not only patiently seeks for us and rejoices over us but he has a love for us that wants to protect and guard us.
Matthew 10:31 / 18:14 / Romans 5:8 / Ephesians 2:4-5
Day 9- What kind of love does God love you and I with?
Jeremiah 31:3
Day 10- And what does he want in return?
Deuteronomy 6:5 / Deuteronomy 10:12
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