Read: Matthew 10:29-31; Luke 19:1-10

Kevin was lost. The cornstalks were so far above his head that even when he jumped, he couldn’t see any way out. If only he hadn’t insisted on going into the corn maze by himself. His mom and dad had both offered to come with him, but he wanted to go on his own. Now he was lost, alone, and afraid.

It was starting to get cold. He put his hands on his upper arms. What if he couldn’t find his way out by nightfall? What if it started to rain? What if he had to use the bathroom? All sorts of possible disasters filled his mind.

A couple had passed him a few turns back, but Kevin hadn’t seen anybody since. He should have followed the couple. He should have never come in by himself. So many “should haves” filled his thoughts.

He heard footsteps then—the heavy footsteps of a grown man. But the twists and turns of the maze hid the man from his view. What if it was a kidnapper? What if he never saw his family again?

The footsteps came closer still.

“Dad!” Kevin’s heart soared.

“I hope you don’t mind,” Dad said. “I know you wanted to do this all by yourself, but you were taking so long. Your mother and I were worried about you.”

Kevin gave his father the biggest hug ever. “I thought you might leave me here.”

“Are you kidding me? We would never leave you. Just like God will never leave you. No matter how lost you may seem to be, God is with you. When we were lost in sin with no hope of finding our way out, He sent Jesus to save us. Since you trust in Him, He will always be with you and help you.”

Kevin frowned. “He wasn’t helping me find my way out of the maze.”

“But He was,” said Dad. “He sent me, didn’t He?"

“I didn’t even remember to pray,” said Kevin. “I was too focused on finding my own way.”

“God knew the prayers of your heart even if you didn’t speak them to Him. God always knows. And He’ll always be with you. God loves you even more than your mom and I do. And that’s a lot!”

–Carol Raj

How about you? Have you ever been afraid? Really afraid? Maybe you were lost like Kevin. Maybe you were sick. Maybe you were moving to a new neighborhood and you worried you might never make any friends. God wants to hear your little worries as well as your big ones. He loves you so much that He sent His Son, Jesus, to find you when you were lost. Trust Him to be with you and help you whenever you’re afraid.

Today's Key Verse: [God] himself has said, “I will never leave you or abandon you.” Hebrews 13:5 (CSB)

Today's Key Thought: Pray when you’re afraid