Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the secretary, 'I have found the Book of the Law in the temple of the LORD.' - 2 Kings 22:8
Will you help us find that which has been lost?
Dear Friend of Associates for Biblical Research,
As I sat down to read my Bible today I was amazed at the importance God places on lost things. Here are a few references you are probably familiar with:
- 'But the Lord God said to the man, 'where are you?'' - Genesis 3:9
- The lost book of the law - 2 Kings 22:8
- Lost sheep - Jeremiah 50:6 and Matthew 15:3-7
- The lost coin - Matthew 15:8-10
- The lost or prodigal son - Matthew 15:11-32
- 'For the Son of Man has come to seek and save that which was lost' - Luke 19:10
- 'In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost.' - Mt. 18:14
What is enlightening and encouraging about all of these texts of Scripture is how God preserves, protects, and pursues that which is precious to Him. Even in the case of those who become lost, God has made a way home so that the lost may indeed be saved.
As you know, ABR staff have found or identified many lost or hidden things over the years. Consider this short list: The Silver Amulets (oldest know portion of Scripture), the 'lost' city of Ai, Late Bronze I pottery at Jericho (establishing that the site of Jericho fits the biblical city of Jericho), and at Khirbet el-Maqatir: a byzantine church, a baby burial jar, and important ancient coins.
Some finds we have made have had great impact on the scholarly world. Some finds have helped skeptics finally see that the Bible is reliable. And some finds have strengthened believers who have fallen prey to doubt and the lies of the Serpent. But the greatest 'find' of all is when God finds a lost soul and brings that individual home again to His heart. When a person's eyes are opened and they surrender to the Shepherd of their souls, it is indeed the most important discovery of all….and a work only God can do.
In this great work of saving souls, we are co-laborers with God. It is His work through ABR that strengthens believers and brings knowledge and insight to those seeking the truth. We ask that you partner with us by giving generously in this beautiful season of Spring; truly God can and will touch lives and bring spiritual life to the those who are spiritually dead and lost in the current sea of doubt and skepticism. Please help ABR to reach these precious souls, so that the most important 'lost things' many indeed be found.
For the Shepherd,
Scott Lanser
Director, Associates for Biblical Research
