Searching for Lost Sheep

Author: Joseph

Date: October 15, 2023

How does a sheep go astray from the flock? Perhaps the sheep was in search for grass to graze on and instead of staying safe in the pasture, they sought provision outside of the boundary set by the shepherd. Maybe the sheep decided they were simply “bored” with where they were at and were looking for something “new” to look at or experience. Or, the sheep maybe was causing trouble within the flock and the flock no longer wanted them near. There are many reasons a sheep can go stray, but they all stem from temptations of one sort or another.

Just as the sheep has many temptations to go astray, so do believers. A need arises and instead of staying within the boundaries God has set for them (God’s commandments and guidance), they look to areas they should not be seeking provision from. This is how many vices are fed in the world. “If it makes me money, why not?,” the world says. But this is not the attitude the believer is supposed to possess. Our provision comes from God. He can give and take away as He sees appropriate to our needs. It is unfaithful and rebellious to seek provision from anyone or anything else. Abram was caught up in chaos because of this very thing (Genesis 12:1-20). Isaac was similarly tempted (Genesis 26:1-3). Naomi lost all the males of her household when they sought provision in Moab (Ruth 1:1-6). It is never wise to go astray from God’s boundaries when He is able and willing to provide all we need. Instead of being satisfied with what God has provided, the sheep looks for more “entertaining” or “exciting” things outside of what God has allowed by His Word. “It’s not evil” is the most heard excuse. “It’s not good or bad, it’s just fun” is also often spoken. These are both self-deceptions and excuses for being unfaithful to God. An easy way to counter this is to shine the light of God’s Word on the “fun,” “exciting” thing being sought. Does that thing bring glory to God and honor His Word? Or does that thing defile His name and contradict His Word? If it is something you wouldn’t be willing to do in the presence of God, then it is likely you already know it is evil. There is no such thing as “harmless” fun outside of what God allows. The sons of Eli the priest were cursed to die by God because of their self-indulgence while serving in the tabernacle (1 Samuel 2:12-17, 30-34). David was caught up in adultery because he let his mind wander in lust (2 Samuel 11:2-4). Solomon was caught up in idolatry caused by his wandering heart (1 Kings 11:1-4). We may see these as apparent disobedience, but we are not self-reflecting honestly if we assume we cannot be tempted in the same ways as people were before us. “All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way” and rejected God’s boundaries for our lives (Isaiah 53:6). Sometimes this happens from veiled evil that appears as “harmless” fun.

Some sheep cause trouble within the flock and after being corrected, they seek intentionally to go astray out of their stubbornness to discipline. The other sheep do not accept their sinful behavior, so the outcast leaves the other sheep to “find their own way” outside of God’s will. “A fool rejects his father’s disciple, but he who regards reproof is sensible” (Proverbs 15:5). Also, “Grievous punishment is for him who forsakes the way; he who hates reproof will die” (Proverbs 15:10). The sheep that runs away from discipline is not just going astray, they are making a path to their own death!

When you leave the boundaries of God’s protection by behaving foolishly and running away from Him, the result is embracing death at any time. Did not Jonah learn this when he was eaten by the great fish after fleeing from God? The prophet Micaiah spoke to king Jehoshaphat to not go to battle in alliance with King Ahab, but he didn't heed God's warning and died (1 Kings 22:13-40). When Babylon invaded Judea, the Judeans sought to flee from what God had told them through the prophet Jeremiah. They followed their own desire to flee to Egypt rather than to remain in the land, contrary to God’s words – a death sentence (Jeremiah 43:8-22). Whenever people have tried to run from discipline, they have faced death. Instead of seeking provision other than from God, instead of being discontent with living the way God intends for you, instead of rejecting correction for your good, embrace what is within the boundaries of God’s Word and do not go astray. There is nothing good outside of the will of God. God is good and nothing good comes from anyone else but Him. No matter how pleasurable a temptation is, it is never good. Goodness is a quality that only comes from God. No amount of provision outside of God, no variety of veiled evil disguising itself as “fun,” no amount of running away from correction will ever grant true fulfillment of any sort.

But what do we do if we have already gone astray? “If any man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go and search for the one that is straying?” (Matthew 18:12). God is searching for you even now. Seek Him and when you find Him, allow Him to bring you back to the flock. It means being willing to end any pursuit that drew you away from Him and letting Him carry you back to where you need to be. If there was any running away from correction, it means also returning in humility to the flock, even if it feels embarrassing. There is no shame in being brought back to God and being renewed in His presence.

"He will rejoice over you..."

“So it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones perish” (Matthew 18:14, emphasis mine). God doesn’t want anyone to perish no matter how they went astray. Run back to God! He will restore you. Let go of whatever caused you to go astray and run, run, run, to the Good Shepherd! He is already looking for you. Turn back to Him. He will rejoice over you and you will find life again.

Matthew 18:12-14

Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. www.lockman.org