As my journey progresses into all the revelations of how pursue, my word for the year, applies, I pray you will find applications for your life as well.

Today I’m exploring how God pursues us.

Tax collectors and sinners were all crowding around to listen to Jesus. So the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law of Moses started grumbling, “This man is friendly with sinners. He even eats with them.”

Then Jesus told them this story:

“If any of you has 100 sheep, and one of them gets lost, what will you do? Won’t you leave the 99 in the field and go look for the lost sheep until you find it? And when you find it, you will be so glad that you will put it on your shoulder and carry it home. Then you will call in your friends and neighbors and say, ‘Let’s celebrate! I’ve found my lost sheep.’”

Jesus said, “In the same way there is more happiness in heaven because of one sinner who turns to God than over 99 good people who don’t need to.”‬‬

Luke‬ ‭15‬:‭1‬-‭7‬ ‭CEV

Jesus didn’t just run after us on a mountainside, no, he left heaven for us.

He existed in the form of God, yet he gave no thought to seizing equality with God as his supreme prize. Instead he emptied himself of his outward glory by reducing himself to the form of a lowly servant. He became human!

Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭6‬-‭7‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Not only did he come down to our level, he came with a purpose.

For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.‬‬

Luke‬ ‭19‬:‭10‬ ‭NLT

There are two parables following the passage from Luke, one about a lost coin, and one about the prodigal son. In these parables Jesus takes great pains to explain how valued we are. That we are worth pursuing and worth restoring.

While we were lost, while we were yet sinners, Jesus died for us—once for all. (Romans 5:8, 1 Peter 3:18, and Hebrews 7:27.)

I have another song for you to listen to: Goodness of God, Bethel Music and Jenn Johnson. The bridge, specifically, played through my mind as I thought about God pursuing me. The bridge inspires me to visualize this next scripture.

So he got up and went to his father.

But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.‬‬

Luke‬ ‭15‬:‭20‬ ‭NIV

The bridge also speaks of “your goodness” and that brings me to this next scripture.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

All the days of my life;

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord

Forever.‬‬

Psalms‬ ‭23‬:‭6‬ ‭NKJV

I’m sure God is not through with teaching me about my word for the year and how it brings me closer to him, while guiding me in the direction he wants me to go, but this is enough for today.

If you are lost, turn around and see the one who pursues you.

Grace & Peace,

Sandy

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