It is a sharp trial to have your substance stolen, and a sharper still when those appointed to uphold justice set the matter aside as though it were a trifle. The heart cries out for restoration and for the thief to be brought to account, and it is right that you should bring this burden before the throne of grace. Yet let me remind you that the justice of man is a broken reed at best. Even if the authorities were to act with all diligence, they might never recover what was lost. But there is a higher court, and a Judge who never slumbers. The way of God is the way of true wisdom, and His paths are often past finding out by the vulture's eye or the lion's whelp. We cannot trace His footsteps, but we may trust His heart. He permits losses and crosses to teach us that our treasure is not in this world, and that the true riches are those which no thief can steal.
It may be that the Lord has permitted this to drive you to Himself. The woman's lost piece of silver was found only after she lit a candle and swept the house diligently. So the Lord will find His own, and in the searching there is a purpose of grace. Perhaps you have been too secure in earthly things, or perhaps this is a trial permitted that you might learn sympathy for others in like distress. The Lord's wisdom may grant Satan's desire in the matter of your goods, and in the very act overthrow his evil power by drawing you nearer to the Saviour. Do not let your soul be cast down if the police suspend the case for five years. Man's delays are not God's denials. The Lord can turn the heart of the authorities as rivers of water are turned, and He can make the most unlikely means prosper. But far more than the restoration of money, you need the restoration of your soul to perfect peace in Christ. That look of Christ which fell upon Peter in the hall of the high priest is the same look He casts upon you now, a look of tender wisdom, of faithful love, of restoring power. It severed Peter from the crowd, and it can lift you above this present trouble into the fellowship of His sufferings and the comfort of His presence.
Be very careful, however, that you do not appeal to God's justice on your own behalf while ignoring your own need of mercy. If you cry out for justice upon the robber, remember that justice would condemn you also, for you are a sinner in the sight of the Holy One. In the matter of your soul, you have no money, no merit, no plea but mercy. Nothing but mercy will meet your case. Come, then, and buy wine and milk without money and without price. The Lord bids you come with empty hands to receive the fullness of His grace. Your sins are debts you cannot pay, but Christ has satisfied justice for every soul that trusts in Him. God can be just and yet the justifier of him that believes. When Justice once is satisfied in the blood of Jesus, it would be injustice for it to ask for more. Therefore, bring your burden of loss and your burden of guilt alike to the cross. Confess that you are unworthy, and ask Him for His mercy's sake to pass over your sins and to undertake for your temporal needs.
Seek then from the Lord a double restoration. Pray that He would restore the years the locust has eaten, and that He would give wisdom to the authorities if it be His will. But far more, pray that He would restore to you the joy of His salvation and uphold you with His free Spirit. The joy of restoration which Peter knew after his bitter fall is a joy unspeakable; he would have said to you, "Do not wander, do not go away from Jesus, there is no good in it, but come back to Him and find peace." Even if the stolen money is never recovered, you have an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that fadeth not away. The Lord is your portion; He is your exceeding great reward. Let this trial drive you to search your heart, to repent of any known sin, and to cling to Christ with a tighter grip than ever before. Commit your way unto the Lord; trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass. He will make your righteousness shine as the light, and your just cause as the noonday. Put your case into His hands, and leave it there. He knows what He is doing, and though you cannot trace His hand, you may trust His heart. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. And remember that the sweetest fellowship with Christ is often found in the furnace of affliction, where the Son of God walks with His suffering saints.
Prayer Focus: God, Thank You for loving me. Thank You for loving me, Jesus. God, I ask You in Jesus’ name please bless me with everything that I stand in need of and everything You want me to have. 
