I Am There Among Them

Jesus said, “Take care that you do not despise one of these little ones; for, I tell you, in heaven their angels continually see the face of my Father in heaven. What do you think? If a shepherd has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. So it is not the will of your Father in heaven that one of these little ones should be lost.
“If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one. But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If the member refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.” Matthew 18:10-20 

I Am Here Among Them

Great God who seeks out the lost
we wander like young foolish lambs
often led astray by tempting fields
and people who want to do us harm.

We stumble and fall over our pride
we want to be right more than sorry
selfish and greedy we push others
stepping cruelly  on their basic needs.

Yet you are the God of the lost
those who stray foolishly away
the Creator of  a wondrous pasture
the one who welcomes us home.

Be among us today Gracious Savior
help us to agree and lend our hearts
let us use our strength and skills
to be the love our flock needs today. Amen.