DEVOTION / Never Left Behind

How lonely to feel left behind. Does anyone care?

A lonely world

Our world is populated by people who feel left behind. Widows or widowers who feel like all their friends disappeared after the funeral. The elderly who are always looking for a visit from their family members, but no one comes. The patient in the hospital. Prisoners in confinement. Teens who feel their parents don't understand them. Abandoned kids in the foster system. The list is endless.

The uncaring crowd has little time for the lonely or "discarded" in our world. It's easy to be part of that crowd. Maybe we think we don't have time. Maybe it's because those left behind people can't do anything for us. Maybe we assume associating with them might make us look bad. Maybe we are too self-focused to even see the left-behind victims in our workplaces, neighborhoods, schools, churches, or families.

Jesus' world

It's not that way in Jesus' world. He was the one who dared to touch infectious lepers. He treated fallen women with respect and dignity. He ate with the outcasts of society. He called the children to his lap for blessing when others wanted to turn them away. That's our Jesus!

He reached out to us. We were sinners. We were wandering sheep according to Isaiah 53.

Jesus — the Good Shepherd — came to rescue us even after we had turned away from Him. Our sins led us astray, leaving Him behind. But, praise Him. He did not leave us behind.

No one left behind

Ponder God's Word from 1 Peter 3:18, Christ died...the righteous (that's him) for the unrighteous (that's us), that he might bring us safely home to God. That's how much he loves us! He died for us! He doesn't want any to be lost or left behind.

The Good Shepherd is seeking his lost sheep around the world. 316NOW is blessed to share his call in countries around the world — in China, in the US, and wherever his lost sheep are scattered. Praise him for rescuing you and help share his Word with those he is still seeking.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, you reached out to all in your ministry of love. Thank you for saving us wandering sheep. Continue to shepherd us and continue to rescue the lost sheep around our world.