‭‭Luke‬ ‭15‬:‭1‬-‭7‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” Then Jesus told them this parable: “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? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

What do you think of when you hear or read SOS? It is Morse Code that was created in the 1830’s. USA Today published an article on the history of SOS and how it has evolved over the years. One of the original meanings stood for “seeking you, distress.” In today’s parable, Jesus leaves the ninety-nine to search for one lost sheep. Just as we seek God to rescue us in our time of SOS, God is continually seeking to rescue us.

Sunday I encouraged you to listen to “Rescue” by Lauren Daigle. The opening lyrics sing, “You are not hidden,” “Never been a moment you were forgotten,” and “You are not hopeless.” It is a beautiful thought to think that we are never hidden from God. Are your eyes open to the ways you are sought by God? You are not forgotten! You are not hopeless! You are loved unconditionally!

Let’s pray. Dear God, I desire to be sought by You. Thank You for rescuing me with Your unconditional love. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Today I encourage you to either read and meditate on the chapters below, or pull out your paper Bible to read Luke 15:1-32 or @biblegateway.

Parable of the Lost Sheep

‭‭Luke‬ ‭15‬:‭1‬-‭7‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” Then Jesus told them this parable: “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? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

Parable of the Lost Coin

‭‭Luke‬ ‭15‬:‭8‬-‭10‬ ‭NIV — Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.

Parable of the Lost Son

‭‭Luke‬ ‭15‬:‭11‬-‭32‬ ‭NIV — Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate. “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’ “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’ “ ‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’

1 Samuel‬ ‭17‬:‭40‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine.

Join us on YouTube for See You Saturday as we talk about slaying our giants.

Make sure to check out our shared Lent playlist on Julie Wicker’s Spotify.

We also encourage you to worship with You’ve Already Won by Shane and Shane.

1 Samuel 17:48-50 NIV — As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground. So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him.

On this Finish Friday, let’s remember that we will not have to face the giants alone. God will equip us with all we need to slay the giants in front of us. 

Spend some time meditating on the following quote by Christine Caine — Just as God gave Moses exactly what he needed to accomplish great things, he will equip us in the same way. If he calls us to slay giants, He will make us into giant slayers.

What are you doing to be open to God’s guidance? Open your heart and mind to God’s equipment that He is providing for you to slay the giants ahead of you. Be on the lookout for the slingshot and stones He will provide and watch the giants fall!

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for equipping me to slay the giants I face. Show me Your equipment and give me Your strength to go into battle. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Challenge: Reflect on the list you wrote this week. So far your list includes giants you are facing and ways God has rescued you in the past. Today, write down any ways you see God equipping you. In the days ahead, continue to refer back to your list as you go into battle as a giant slayer with God at your side.

1 Samuel 17:34-37 NIV — But David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.”

David trusted that his Lord, our Lord, would rescue him from the danger of the giant he would face. Do you have that same confidence in God? Take time to reflect over past giants you have faced. How has God equipped you to face those giants? What was the result when you trusted God and allowed Him to give you what you needed? Spend time thanking God for all the times He has rescued you and praise Him for all the times He will rescue you in the future.

Listen to the words of  Rescue by Lauren Daigle and be encouraged by the promise of God rescuing you as you face the giants in front of you.

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for all the times You have rescued me in the past and all the times You will rescue me in the future. You are my Savior! In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Challenge: On the same page you have listed the giants you are facing, make a list of all the giants God has already rescued you from in the past.

1 Samuel 17:8-11 NIV — Goliath stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, “Why do you come out and line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not the servants of Saul? Choose a man and have him come down to me. If he is able to fight and kill me, we will become your subjects; but if I overcome him and kill him, you will become our subjects and serve us.” Then the Philistine said, “This day I defy the armies of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other.” On hearing the Philistine’s words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified.

Not only did Saul and the Israelites have a giant blocking them, but the giant was also taunting them just like a bully would do. “Na na na boo boo, you can’t catch me!”  Do you have a giant taunting and teasing you from moving forward? Are you feeling terrified and overcome with fear? 

Fear is an overwhelming emotion if we allow it to take over our thoughts. As Christians, we know in our minds that God is our refuge and with Him we have nothing to fear. When I reflect on times I am fearful of the giants towering over me, I realize I have focused too much on the giant and my own abilities instead of on God and His abilities. I encourage you to spend some time listening to the words of the song Fear Is A Liar by Zach Williams. As you listen, focus on God, His abilities, and your response to the giants before you.

Let’s pray. Dear Almighty God, thank You for Your love, guidance and strength. Help me to stay focused on You instead of the giants I face. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.  

Challenge: Refer back to the list of giants you made yesterday. Write beside each giant the words “Fear is a liar!”