Question: “Why were you searching for me?”

When we lose something precious, we search until we find it. Mary and Joseph once lost something precious. They lost Jesus! When they left Jerusalem after the Passover, Jesus stayed behind in the temple to talk with the teachers. Mary and Joseph searched everywhere for him. Finally after two days they found their lost son. Jesus asked them: “Why were you searching for me? Didn’t you know you could find me here in God’s house?” Have you ever looked for Jesus? Does it sometimes feel as if he’s missing? Have you ever wondered if Jesus has left you all alone? Does he sometimes feel far, far away from you? Jeremiah once felt that the Lord was distant from him too. That’s when God said to him: “You will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:12,13).

A verse to remember:

“I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me!”

Proverbs 8:17

Today my prayer includes . . .

          thanks for this special blessing:

          concern for this special person:

          petition for this special problem:

 A closing verse:

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound

That saved a wretch like me!

I once was lost, but now am found;

Was blind, but now I see.

John Newton

(This devotion is from “Hope for Each New Day: 333 Quiet Moments with God” by Reynold R. Kremer)