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Listen while you read: "At Even When The Sun Was Set"1
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Luke 15:3-4 – Then Jesus told them this parable: "Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?" (NIV)
When I take the dogs walking through the woods, Earl, my cat, often joins us. He walks along very nicely for awhile, but then he scampers off into the underbrush and begins meowing, beckoning the dogs to leave the trail and follow him. The older dogs pay him no mind, but Simon, my young dachshund, often can't resist the opportunity to chase Earl, who leads him steadily deeper into the forest.
When this happens, I call repeatedly for Simon to return to me and to safety, since he is so short that he often gets caught up in tangled vines, fallen trees, and brambles, and can easily become lost.
Likewise, I, too, have often fallen prey to the tempting calls of the Earls of this world, to wander from the path of righteousness into the forest of sin, a forest that is fraught with dangers that are often masked as delightful adventures. Perhaps, you, too, have trodden this path from time to time or are even walking it now.
Matthew 26:69-75 outlines the fall of Peter when he denied knowing Jesus, as they led Him away to be crucified.
When God called Jonah to go and preach to the Ninevites, "Jonah ran away from the Lord and headed for Tarshish." (Jonah 1:3a NIV)
Judges 16:17-19 tells how Samson foolishly followed Delilah's wheedling to tell her the secret of his God-given strength and fell to his doom.
These are just three examples of the many in Scripture that depict for us the actions of those who have followed the call from the path of righteousness into the forest of sin. Each one of these people loved God. They were serving Him, but for one reason or another, they failed to resist the call to honour and obey Him, just as we also do from time to time. We are human beings, and thus we are not perfect. We can and do make bad choices throughout our lifetimes which cause us to wander from the One we love.
The wonderful thing, though, is that God did not give up on any of these people, and He never gives up on us either. He continues to call to us, when we have wandered away, to come back to Himself, to the path of righteousness, where we may find forgiveness and healing through His grace, mercy, and love.
May each of us this day be walking safely with God or be willing to turn around and head back into the loving arms of the One Who is calling to us.
Prayer: Father God, thank You that You never give up on us. Praise Your holy name forever! In Christ's name, we pray. Amen.
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About the author:
Lynne Phipps <lynnephippsatlin@gmail.com>
Tawatinaw, Alberta, Canada
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Oh and I love the story of Earl!!!
Our Heavenly Father – How patient! How full of grace!
Thank you for this morning’s devotion.
(On)
Thanks for the wonderful devotional today.
Keep writing. I love your insight.
Thank you, Lynne, for sharing this timely devotional with us. Blessings.
We praise and thank God for His generous love epitomized in Jesus our Saviour.
Lynne, this was a good warning to me about the “Earls of this world”. Thinking of them as disobedient, independent, and wandering cats made me think. Thank you.
Good morning, Lynne,
Thanks for sharing your insights of faith and the example of Earl happily following Simon.
Have a great day.
Beautiful, Lynne! I think it is the wise person who realizes that none of us are immune to the taunting of the enemy to follow him into the brushes of sin. But, as you so beautifully put it, he is waiting for you to return. What a gracious God we have. Thank you for sharing.
Dear Lynne, thank you for your very positive and encouraging words today. Yes, there sure are times we so easily can take the wrong direction but our loving Lord sure doesn’t give up on us. We must be so thankful that He is ever ready to forgive and take us back in His arms. Many blessings for your very special and most meaningful devotional writings.
Thanks, Lynne!
“To err is human” but thankfully, we are called back to God, and forgiven! I so appreciate your devotions which always teach me a lesson, often in a simple and entertaining way. I shall now be on the lookout for the “Earls” in my daily life.
WIshing you a blessed and happy day!
(ON)
Hello dear Lynne!
I am so very grateful that God calls me back when I stray. Sometimes the valleys of life impair my rational thought process when I am having a pity party.
Wishing you the merriest of Christmases and a joyous New Year.
Thanks for all you do for us readers.
Blessings,
(QC, CANADA)
Good morning, Lynne,
I think that is interesting that a cat goes walking with you into the woods. I don’t picture cats doing that.
It is true that sin can be masked as delightful adventures that we don’t even realize we are slipping. Definitely God calls us back and wants us to realize that we are looking in other places instead of to Him for love, comfort, and trust.
Thank you for always sharing in a non-judgmental way so that we are open to looking at our lives and seeing maybe that we are straying. It is always great to hear about the lessons of faith that you glean from your love of animals and family. Blessings.
Lynne – What a pleasure it is to join in your walks with the pets, as you bring such vivid imagery to these devotionals.
Thanks be to God that you share your marvellous skills and insights with us.
Praise God that He welcomes us back when we stray!