Day 18: The Joy of the Find: From the Depths of the Sea to the Father‘s Arms
March 7
by Zachary Mattson
Readings:
Reflection:
After reading the scriptures of the day, watch today's devotional VIDEO if you prefer.
Today’s readings are both about God’s unfailing grace. In Micah, we are given very strong imagery by the Prophet Micah, who saw great corruption around him. He describes his faith in God and his belief that God would make those faithful to him persevere through the uncertainty of the time. He describes what will happen to those who do not follow God and what their shame will bring them to. But then he brings up a very important point, “(God) do(es) not stay angry forever but delight(s) to show mercy. (God) will again have compassion on us; (God) will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.”
In Luke 15, Jesus gives three parables. The first is the Parable of the Lost Sheep; afterwards, he explains how there is so much joy when a person repents. God wants us. He sent his only son so that we would have the chance to repent and spread his love to others. He wants us to repent so that his grace can fall on us. Similarly, the Parable of the Lost Coin gives another example of what it is like for us to be ‘found’ by God again. I remember when I was about six or so, I had this little stuffed animal of a cat, which I brought everywhere; it was one of my favorite things. One day, I brought it to a museum and, somewhere along the way, I left it in one of the exhibits. When I realized this, I became very upset, and my heart dropped. After about half an hour of talking with the staff, someone found it, and I felt so much relief and happiness. I imagine God is even more joyous when a person returns to him.
The most famous of the Parables and my personal favorite from the ones given here is the Prodigal Son. The story tells of a son who asks for his inheritance early, which was the equivalent of telling his father he wished for him to already be dead, to which the father gives him his side of the inheritance anyway. After squandering the money, it says the son was so hungry because of the famine that he longed for the pods of the pigs, which were absolutely gross (I encourage you to look up what they look like if you want to know what Jesus was referring to). Here, he is referring to the different things in the world people turn to to try to fill themselves up with in a spiritual sense. There are many who accept their fate and live their lives not wanting to turn to the alternative out of fear. But the story continues, and the son returns home, asking for forgiveness. The father is overjoyed and celebrated at his return, later saying to his other son (who was confused and upset as to why the younger son was being celebrated for returning even though the other son was always there), “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 was found.” I love this story as it highlights what God’s grace is like and how he wants us to repent. 
God’s love is real and powerful; He is forgiving and graceful. Remember that God wants the best for you. Take time every day this week as you pray to him to thank him for his grace and remember how it has helped you through your life.
Song:
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