Monday, March 6 Do not despise one of these little ones.​—Matt. 18:10.

[Ella Mentry]

Monday, March 6

Do not despise one of these little ones.—Matt. 18:10.

 

Jehovah has drawn each of us to him. (John 6:44) Think of what that means. As Jehovah carefully examined all the billions of people in this world, he saw something precious in you—a sincere heart that could grow to love him. (1 Chron. 28:9) Jehovah knows you, understands you, and loves you. How reassuring that is! Jehovah cares deeply about you, and he also cares about all your Christian brothers and sisters. To illustrate this point, Jesus compared Jehovah to a shepherd. If 1 sheep out of 100 strays from the flock, what will the shepherd do? He will “leave the 99 on the mountains and set out on a search for the one that is straying.” When the shepherd finds the sheep, he will not scold it for straying. He will rejoice. The point? Every sheep is important to Jehovah. Jesus said: “It is not a desirable thing to my Father who is in heaven for even one of these little ones to perish.”—Matt. 18:12-14. w21.06 20 ¶1-2

[Watching and Waiting]

It's all too easy for us to "get down on ourselves" or feel negatively, i.e. "Jehovah can't possibly love me because . . . (insert one or another shortcoming that we have)."  And maybe it's something we have to keep fighting with.  But the fact that Jehovah has "drawn" us can help us put our feelings into perspective.  He knows all things about us and yet still drew us to him "as one of these little ones."  And at what cost?  The sacrifice of the life of his dear Son. He didn't die for perfect humans, but rather for sinners.