Lost in the Wilderness: How God Loves the Lost

As I write my heart is heavy.  An old friend of mine has been missing in the Oregon wilderness for multiple days, despite an extensive search and rescue effort. My heart is hurting for his family and his close friends who are besides themselves with worry. It’s difficult to imagine what he may be experiencing trapped in the forest, alone, exposed to the November elements. From the sidelines we watch, and pray, holding out hope, asking for protection for him and divine guidance for the hundred (plus) people who are searching. 

Power of Prayer

In times like this, it is easy to negate the impact of sideline prayer.  We say things like “all we can do is pray.”  It’s said in a way that minimizes the benefit, as if it’s only a last resort.  But, what if it is the one true thing that is necessary for a successful outcome?  I wonder how many searches are done on human instinct rather than Holy Spirit guidance? I also wonder what type of transformations God will do in the hearts of all involved through the prolonged process. So, as I pray, I am trying to remember that it is not a small act, but rather a vital one, one that will bring supernatural strength into the search.

How God Loves the Lost

This experience has also got me thinking about how God cares for the lost.  In the book of Exodus, as the Israelites wandered through the desert, lost in the wilderness, God guided them each day through his presence.  It says, "And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light..." (Exodus 13:21-22). In all their wanderings, and all their disobedience, God never left their side, demonstrating his compassion and great love.   When Hagar fled to the desert, broken and alone, God found her there, comforted her and as a result, Hagar gave God a new name, El Roi, which means “the God who sees me” (Genesis 16:13).  We can take comfort in the knowledge that God always sees the broken and alone in their struggles.  The prophets reminded the kings of Israel that “The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him” (2 Chronicles 16:9 NLT). There is nowhere on earth beyond the boundaries of God’s love.  He sees the lost and provides them strength to endure. 

God Searches for the Lost

The extent of the search party also has me thinking of the great lengths God will go for those he loves.  Luke tells three parables of the lost—a lost coin, a lost sheep and a lost son, each giving a glimpse of the Father’s love (Luke, chapter 15).  In the story of the sheep, the shepherd has one sheep that wanders away, yet he leaves 99 others to find the stray. In the case of the coin, one out of ten falls between the cracks, yet the widow scours the house looking for it.  Regarding the son who scorns the family name, the father breaks all conventional norms, offering complete forgiveness so that his family can be restored.  All three stories end in celebration and rejoicing indicating how much God values every individual on earth.  Each person is worth God’s attention, his time, his love.  In this light, it makes perfect sense to deploy extensive resources looking for one person.  Afterall, that is what God does for us. 

When You Are Lost

While I am choosing to remain hopeful, I do not know how this search will end.  What I do know is that each one of us has times in our lives when we have been lost in our own wilderness (figuratively speaking, or perhaps literal). We all have times when the path is dark, when we feel alone, when our hearts are cold, when we have lost all sense of purpose and direction.  It is a painful and oftentimes scary place to be, if we are willing to admit the fear that lives beneath the surface of our consciousness.  Sometimes it can be tempting to believe that everyone, including God, has abandoned us. However, what we often don’t see is the multitude of people searching in the distance, hoping to bring us back into communion with them.  What we need to remember is that we are never alone.  We need to remember that above all, Jesus came to save the lost, in whatever form that may take.  His promises were true for the Israelites just as they are true for us now.  The psalmist proclaimed “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.  Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea… The Lord Almighty is with us. The God of Jacob is our fortress (Psalm 46:1-2,7 NIV).

So when you feel lost, I encourage you to take shelter in God. Remember the incredible power of purposeful prayer.  Trust in his love.  Know that he sees you, personally, and that his presence goes with you, wherever you are.  His love is relentless, pursuing the lost with an energy that never fails.  The end of our stories are also unknown, but the love of God, and his promise to carry you through each struggle is a constant that you can always count on.