The Upper Room Devotion for Tuesday, July 2, 2024, was written by Dean W. Cowen from North Carolina.
Scriptures
1 Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, "This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them." 3 So he told them this parable: 4 "Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? 5 When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, "Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.' 7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.
Luke 15:1-7 NRSVÂ
Author's Thoughts
Many years ago on a beautiful fall afternoon, I was on a walk with my dad and our dog. The dirt road was bordered by woods on both sides. As the sun set and temperature dropped, it was time to go home. but our dog suddenly wasn't with us. She had followed the scent of a wild animal, and no amount of calling brought her back. As my tears started flowing, dad told me to take off my jacket and put it on the ground. We had to go home, but he promised to return to look for her. Later, he found her in the dark, curled up on my jacket. After all these years, I still vividly recall my joy at seeing her bound into the house.
When we have wandered away from God, where do we look for God's love and grace? Maybe we have a special place of comfort and safety to which we can retreat and get back in touch with God, who constantly searches for us. Just as our dog found safety in the scent of my jacket, we can return to a place and time when we experienced God's love for us and find peace.
Thought for the Day
When I feel lost, God knows where I am.
Author's Prayer
Dear Lord, may we always remember the words of the psalmist who proclaimed, "The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time on and forevermore" (Psalm 12:18). Amen.
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