On the Hills

Will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills...? ~ Matthew 18:12

People who read the parable of the lost sheep tend to think one of two things: 1) I was the one whom God came and found. After Jesus trained up His disciples, He sent them out into the world to find those who were yet to be found. The Lord is always seeking after us, even when we are not seeking after Him. He is wooing us to His heart, to His love. 2) Why would God leave the ninety-nine--why would God leave me? Aren't I as important as 'the one'? This second group feel hurt and abandoned. They are not reading the full verse; they think it reads: "Will he not leave the 99 and go to look for the one that wandered off?" But when they read it this way, they miss the most important part: God left the ninety-nine on the hills.

The phrase, "on the hills" or "on the mountains," is referring to a safe place. God has taken the ninety-nine to safety, to a protected area where they are not readily accessible to predators. He has raised up His kids and raised up protection around them. Once He knows they are safe, then He will leave them--even send them out--to go find His lost sheep. God takes great care with each one of His children. He does not ignore one to take care of another, but rather takes care of each one's individual needs. God is the Shepherd and we are His sheep and He is raising us up so that we can take care of each other and He can go out--and He can send us out--to find His lost sheep.

Lord, thank you that when I was once lost, you came and found me. I pray that we wouldn't feel abandoned, but we'd always know we are protected by you, because you have placed us high on your hill, high on your mountain. Thank you for being with us, Lord. In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen.