The loss of a piece of gold, even one shaped into a cross, is but a small trouble, yet it has stirred your heart, and rightly so, for such things may be used of God to speak to our souls. But mark this well: the cross in which we must glory is not of metal or stone, for against such idolatrous prostrations the Apostle thundered. The true Cross is the doctrine of the atonement, the bleeding sacrifice of Jesus Christ, where sin was slain and sinners are saved. That Cross can never be mislaid, stolen, or tarnished; it is the eternal treasure of every believing heart. If God permits this small loss to turn your eyes from the shadow to the substance, then the finding will be richer than any gold.
Does it not strike you that this very moment, when you feel yourself careless, anxious, and stripped of something precious, is the time when the Lord often writes His lost ones as saved? For when every rag of self-righteousness is torn away, and we cry that we are undone, then grace shines brightest. You confess carelessness; is that not the very mark of a sheep that has wandered? Yet the Shepherd seeks such. He says, I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away. He does not wait for the sheep to find its own path home. Cast this care, and the deeper care of your soul, upon Him. He who cried from the tree, Father, into Your hands I commend My spirit, teaches you to put your spirit, and every lesser concern, into those same pierced hands. His will be done, not ours with a secret reservation, but wholly, gladly.
Perhaps the trial is a loving cross-examination. You are God’s witness, and the tempter would see if a missing ornament can drive you to despair. But the martyrs lost far more than gold, and counted it joy. Stand fast. Answer the question by trusting the promise that all things work together for good. And if the cross is not found again, remember: you have a better and enduring substance. The blood of Jesus cleanses from all sin; the Spirit is the earnest of your inheritance. No thief can break through and steal that. Look to the wounds of Christ, and see there God’s hatred of sin and His fathomless love for sinners. Lost once, but found now, and nothing found by Him shall ever be finally lost again.
Let this small urgency drive you to the Throne of Grace. If you have never yet done so, do it now. Commend your spirit and all your ways into His keeping. Then, whether the gold is recovered or not, you shall say with the Psalmist, O God, Thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared Thy wondrous works. The Lord does not pluck brands from the burning to leave them in the ash. Go, then, as a prodigal who has a Father, trusting not in tokens, but in the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. In that confidence, even a lost cross may become the means of a found and strengthened faith.
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. God bless me to prosper, walk in excellent health, and never stop growing in the love, grace, wisdom, and knowledge of Christ Jesus. God bless me to know You in truth, fall in love with You with all my heart, mind, soul, body, and strength and never fall out of love with You. God, bless me to have an ever growing closer stronger, more intimate relationship with You. Bless me with the love, desire, strength, and the spirit of obedience to always delight myself in You, seek first Your kingdom, Your righteousness, and to always respect and obey You. Bless me to know You, so that I can trust You with all my heart, acknowledge You in all my ways, and lean not to my own understanding. Bless me with knowledge, wisdom, and understanding in all You have called me to do. 
be-an-encourager.blogspot.com
