And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. Luke 15:20 KJV
Sometimes we must go through something before we realize where we should have been in the first place.
Where we should have stayed, never left, realizing how good we had it.
We let the things of this world cause us to stray from what God knows is best for us.
Hopefully, we do realize that our efforts are in vain.
Deep in our spirits we see how despite what we have done, the Lord has been with us and kept us.
How when we walked away from doing things the right way, His undying love still showered us and affected our lives.
He did not turn His back on us.
Instead, He kept watching and waiting on us to open our eyes and see that how we were handling things was not what He wanted for our lives.
He has always given us a chance to repent and change our ways.
Accepting us back with open arms.
Even when we are not deserving of His love.
He accepts us just like the father in this passage who embraced his son after he had demanded his inheritance, moved away, wasted everything he had, found himself no longer on the correct path and desired to return home. Even if it meant he would be one of his father’s hired hands (Luke 15:12-20).
The son went home, confessed his sins, asked the Lord, then his father, for forgiveness and the ability to be a hired hand (v.21).
He is received by his father with love and compassion.
Just like the prodigal son, we were once lost, but now are found (vv.23-24).
It is a blessing to know that we can break from the hold that Satan has on us and return to God by prayer.
To know that our Heavenly Father reaches out to welcome us when we ask for forgiveness.
Every day the Lord is rejoicing over those who return to Him.
His love for us is undeserved, but He still lovingly gives it to us.
A WORD OF PRAYER
Father, there are times when we get lost because we are trying to do things on our own. There are times when we are just like the prodigal son. We are lost because our hearts and minds are not focused on what You desire for us. We let Satan and other things play a part in our decisions. Finally realizing where we have gone wrong. We are thankful that You allow us to see what we are doing wrong, ask for forgiveness and be received back into Your loving arms. May we use what we have learned to testify to others about Your loving kindness and mercies. Thank You for Your unchanging love.
In Jesus Name We Pray, Amen