God saves
With tears of joy they will come;
while they pray, I will bring them back.
I will lead them by quiet streams
and on smooth paths so they don’t stumble.
I will be Israel’s father... ~ Jeremiah 31:9 (CEB)
The Son of Man came to find lost people and save them. ~ Luke 19:10 (NCV)
KEY IDEA:
Be happy because God is going to look out for struggling people.
PRAYER:
God, thank you for the ways that you have looked out for me, too. I certainly know what it means to be a lost and struggling person. Forgive me for worrying that you will not show up in time. Help me to learn how to relax and trust that you are already present during even the most trying time. I am going to celebrate your mercy and faithfulness. Amen.
TRANSLATIONS
ABP = Authorized Boydston Paraphrase — my own freestyle biblical adaptation — somewhere between paraphrase, commentary, and sermon
CEB = Common English Bible (©2011, the Common English Bible)
CEV = Contemporary English Version (©1995, American Bible Society)
MSG = The Message (©1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson)
NIRV = New International Reader's Version (©1996, 1998, Biblica)
NIV = New International Version (©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011, Biblica)
NLT = New Living Translation (©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, Tyndale House Foundation)
