leaves the 99

We've all heard the song... 

And oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God Oh, it chases me down, fights 'til I'm found, leaves the ninety-nine

"Leaves the 99" really stood out because it just didn't make sense to me. 

In Luke 15:4, Jesus says “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?" Now, doesn't that seem a little unfair?  What about the 99 that stayed?  Why wouldn't He just stay with the 99 and forget about that one?

So, during that part of the song I just stopped and asked, "God, why do you leave the 99?  Then it completely made sense to me.. The reason that He leaves the 99 is because we have each other. Its almost as if God's saying "I'm not leaving you alone. You are surrounded by people like you who almost act like a support system. You can handle my temporary absence for a little while because you have each other. I wouldn't leave you if I didn't think you were safe" 

This is why the people you surround yourself with is so important. When you start to wander away from who you're called to be does your "support system" help to lead you back?  

 ☆ If you're the one that He is chasing after, realize that there's no place that God won't chase you down from, fight 'til you're found, and leave the 99.  There's no sin thats "too bad" for Him to forgive. 

Daniel 9:9 says "The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him." Meaning no matter how far away you are from home, God is still merciful and forgiving.

The Bible even goes on to say in Hebrews 10:17 that “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.”

☆If you're in the 99- just to be clear- God NEVER really leaves you

   He's with you always.  The parable of the Lost Sheep was an illustration of how great Gods love is for us and his will for ALL of us to come home and that none should stay lost. 

In Matthew 28:20, Jesus says "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”  This is literally saying that He is not only with us, but he is faithful until the very end.  

☆ If you're in either groups then just remember, the grace of  God is so powerful that it can ALWAYS lead you home. And remember that it was grace that led you home.

Ephesians 2:8- "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God