Isaiah 53:6 The sheep and Jesus… When it comes down to the heart of the matter, here it is. What we don’t immediately see is the driving force, the love that draws and holds everything together. The love, the lost sheep, and the atoning sacrifice. We see humility, and patience at work, products of the love God has for His creation. Isaiah writes God‘s words…we’re all like sheep who’ve gone astray. Some have no idea they’re even lost, others recognize their condition, their frailties and their sin. They cry out for ‘help’ to the God Who Hears. They recognize the nail scarred hands and the love that flows from the One Who redeems them. They feel the strong embrace of Him Who carries them back… What’s our story? Did we know we were lost, how desperate we were? Do the words ‘ there is nowhere you can go that I can’t find you…’ apply to us in our moment? When the enemy tells us ‘you’ve really gone too far this time, God‘s Grace isn’t enough…’, does God’s Truth echo in our heart and mind ‘…there’s no height nor depth nor anything else in all creation that will be able to separate you from Me… you are Mine!’ and do we remember, even though He despised the shame of the cross, He accepted it for the joy in obtaining the prize for us? He became the selfless sacrifice to break down the barrier between His Law of Righteousness and His free grace. It’s all connected, His love, His creation, His atoning sacrifice…His plan, His purpose…His Will. Lord, have we told You lately how much we love You? How grateful we are that You didn’t just leave us in our mess, but unconditionally loved us and brought us back ‘home’. Lord, thank You for being our Keeper, for posting guards at the gates and keeping us safe.