This is a wonderful description of God's Heart and Character as a Father towards all of us!
The Father searches for the 1 lost sheep over the hills and mountains. He loves the 99 that are safe - but His concern and yearnings are for the lost one! Holy Spirit searches the whole earth for all that do not know Jesus. "He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:9
The Father searches like a woman who only has 10 coins. If one is lost she searches DILIGENTLY until she finds it. She sweeps the house, she looks under the furniture, she looks through all her closets until she finds it. So the Father searches diligently UNTIL he finds each one that does not know Him!
The Father searches for the rebellious and lost son. He SEARCHES the horizon for the return of His son.... to sweep him up in His arms and RESTORE him and bring him back into friendship and being His son! The Father is LONGING for his son to be with Him - that is the thing He wants most!
Remember also that the Holy Spirit is in the picture - invisible as He often is - He is the One who is out with the son as he is rebelling - Holy Spirit is out there with him teaching the son to hate the pig sty he is in, convicting him of his self-destructive actions and, reminding him that the Father will accept him back....
