My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins. James 5:19-20 NASB
Many dogs are picked up as strays. They are frightened, hungry and weary of fending for themselves. Some have been abandoned and tossed out along the road while others often are separated by circumstance from their families and never find their way back. There are a multitude of reasons for finding a stray dog running loose.
Stray is defined as a domestic animal that is wandering at large or is lost. It also means a person or thing that strays or it is the act of going astray. Just like dogs often find themselves as strays, so do we as humans. Sometimes, we stray due to circumstances and lose our footing. We wander around, lost and frightened. We fear we will never find the path home.
Our jobs are terminated, our families are torn apart, addictions and other life choices toss us along the side of the road feeling abandoned and fending for ourselves. We wander aimlessly till someone comes along and picks us up; another stray in need of help.
Jesus said in Luke 19:10, “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” Mark 2:17 states, ‘On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Jesus did not come for us because we had it all together. He came because he loves us and knows we are in need of forgiveness, guidance and healing. He sees us as we are and meets us there. With him, we no longer are lost, alone and abandoned. John 18:9 tells us that Jesus has not lost one of those God gave him. We are safe with our Savior.
Jesus calls us to be his hands and feet on earth. II Corinthians 5:20 states, “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.” James 5 tells us that when we help a stray find the path to Jesus we have saved a soul from death and covered a whole lot of sin. Jesus is in the business of picking up strays and helping them find their forever home with him. Are you?
Just Another Dog Devotion 