Lost and Found!

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IT WAS A BRIGHT summer day when a party of merry boys and girls, some of them accompanied by parents, boarded a boat that took them over to the island. When they arrived they had a picnic on the grass and then they went hiking and climbing trees among the hills.
When it was time to come back, one boy named Harry was nowhere to be found. They knew they couldn’t return without him for his parents would be terribly distressed if their little Harry were left alone all the dark night on the island. So the party divided into two groups and began their search for Harry. For several hours they climbed over rocks and walked through long grass, but no trace of the missing Harry could be found.
At last a feeble cry was heard, and one of the party shouted “Harry!” The name echoed far up the wooded valley. In a moment a shrill voice was heard calling out the word “Lost.” It was enough. Three young herdsmen, who had joined in the search, found Harry standing in a shaded spot and so hemmed in with bushes that he could go no further.
“You’ve been a long time coming,” said the little fellow who had cried himself hoarse.
“We came the minute we heard you cry, ‘Lost,’ my little friend,” said the kind-hearted herdsman, as he lifted Harry and carried him out in his strong arms back to his friends.
This little story pictures to us very simply, I believe, the condition of many dear boys and girls, and older folks too, who are lost in their sins, afar from God. It tells us too of how lost sinners are saved.
Like Harry on the hills, my friends, you have wandered far away from God. “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way,” the Bible tells us in Isaiah 53:66All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:6). You cannot find your way back. You have no strength to diver yourself. Death and judgment are before you. Jesus alone can save; “for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:1212Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:12). “The Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” Isa. 53:66All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:6).
“The Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:1010For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. (Luke 19:10). He is the Good Shepherd who gave His life for the sheep (John 10:1111I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. (John 10:11)). He is seeking you, but He first wants to hear your cry, “I’m lost! Lord Jesus, save me!” That cry of faith will bring Him right to where you are and you will find yourself borne up in those strong arms of love. May His love find you while it is still the day of grace.
“And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbors, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth.” Luke 15:6, 76And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbors, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. 7I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. (Luke 15:6‑7).
ML-11/10/1963