Chapter XVII: The Lost Piece of Silver

[LUKE 15.8]

YOU see that woman? She has lost something which she is most anxious to find.

Yesterday she had ten pieces of silver in her hand, which she was counting up with joy, but this morning—somehow—one was missing! She was sure she had them all right last night!

So she looked all over the rooms, but not a trace could she find of her piece of silver.

Her neighbours were sorry for her trouble, but when they had sympathized with her, they returned to their own affairs.

At length, she thought of getting a light, and a broom—perhaps she would find it that way.

And so she searched all over again; and would not allow herself to leave off until she found it.

Then clasping her precious coin in her hand, she ran out to her neighbours, calling to them to rejoice with her, as she had found the piece that was lost!

And then our Lord seems to turn to His disciples, and to us now, as He says, "Likewise I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God, over one sinner that repenteth."

That woman sought until she found it! and this lesson comes home to us to-day, as we travel along life's pathway.

Perhaps we know someone who has wandered away into wrong-doing! That is like the coin that was lost!

We look sorrowfully round, and wonder if there is anything we can do?

And at last we take the candle and the broom, and begin to seek.

What do "the candle and the broom" mean to us?

The candle seems to me to be the Light of God's loving promises to help.

And the broom seems to me to link us with those words, "Pray without ceasing!"

God says: "Do not stop praying till you find the one that was lost is brought back to God!"

And then our dear Lord's words come back to us again: "I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth."