The NIV 365 Day Devotional

A Woman Who Lost a Coin

She lights a lamp and sweeps her floors, getting into every possible nook and cranny where a silver coin could have fallen and be difficult to see. Nothing. Next she shakes out her bedding, every cover, every blanket. Nothing. She checks the pocket in her Sabbath robe. Not there. She takes out the little braided bag she sometimes carries. Not there either.

Going back to her bedroom, the woman counts out her silver coins just to be sure. Still nine when there should be ten. Where could that tenth coin be? She must keep looking. She sifts through the ashes near her cooking fire. Nothing. She pauses, thinking.

Looking up she goes through all the pottery bowls and jars, the cups and . . . there! Hidden in the bottom of a small cup. Her missing coin! She smiles then laughs with relief and gratitude. Running outside, she calls to her neighbors and friends. Come! Let’s have a party! I have found my lost coin!

REMEMBER: Jesus tells this story of a lost coin to help us remember how important we are to him. If we have ten pennies and lose one, how hard will we look for the missing penny? Probably not very long. A penny isn’t worth a lot of looking. But when one of us is “lost,” unsure of our direction and separated from God, Jesus never stops looking for us, never gives up, and throws a huge party of praise when we are found. Every one of us is worth so much in Jesus’ eyes. He loves us more than anyone else ever could. That calls for a party, right?

Taken from the NIV Kingdom Girls Bible.