There is nothing like the love of our Heavenly Father. Our beloved Father showcases so much love for us than we will ever know on our own. God allows us to ask and receive from Him, although our hearts are often not ready to walk in His ways. Just like the prodigal son wanted his inheritance early, and it was given, no questions asked. Speaking of this story, Jesus said, 1“And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.” The father did not even think twice and gave what was desired. It may be difficult for us to do this but he did this out his love for his son. Our loving Father never forces us to do things but instead allows us to make our own decisions in life. Though we all go astray without His hand in our lives, God waits patiently for our return. If you are like the prodigal son and have gone astray, remember, like he did, that the Father has what you need. Come to Him in prayer and confess your sins openly to your Father, who art in heaven. Do as the prodigal son did, when he said, 1“I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven.” This desire is what led him to walk back to his father. And just like him, this is the first steps to our change of heart and mind. And it all starts when we decide to come to God, for His love never fails. We just need to make the effort to come to Him.
Now, as the prodigal son was getting ready to go to his father, he said, I 1“am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.” Just like he felt, we often feel the same because of all our guilt and shame for our sins. Our burdens are heavy and hard to bear. However, now was his time to get off his feet and go to his father. It is recorded, 1“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.” Wow, what an amazing encounter. All it took was this son to come back to his father and he was forgiven. No matter what he had done, there was mercy. Our dear Father in heaven does the same thing for us. As we cry out to Him for mercy, He offers it. In that moment, there is true forgiveness and peace. We may not know it but He runs to us to receive us. If you could just see the Father smiling down at you, when you come to Him, you would see that he is so happy for your return. Let us now see what happened next to this lost son who was found. 1“The father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry.” Yes indeed, just like this son, 1“there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.” What great love the Father has for us.
Let us pray:
Our Father, who art in heaven, I cannot get over Your great love for me and all mankind. You are so kind and gracious to listen to our requests and give us what we need. And although we make wrong decisions and go astray, You never give up on us. You are always waiting for our return. Then, when we realize all we have lost and repent, You are anxious to receive us back. The moment we start confessing and calling out Your Name for help, is when You come rushing to us for assistance. No time is lost, for Your presence comes over us and gives us the peace we need. How great is Your compassion? It is so amazing God that You are so patient and still so kind to us when we have not been that way towards You. Thank You for not keeping our past in Your remembrance when we repent. I do not know what I would do without Your great love and mercy for my life. I would be in utter darkness without You. Thank You for coming into my life and dispelling all that darkness. You have replaced it all with Your light and love. You are such a good Father and for that, I give You all the respect, honor, glory and praise. Thank You. I love You. Amen.
Let us read the Bible:
Note: Any Numbered References, found above, are listed below.
1Luke 15 (KJV)
1 Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.
2 And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.
3 And he spake this parable unto them, saying,
4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?
5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.
7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
8 Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it?
9 And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost.
10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.
11 And he said, A certain man had two sons:
12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.
13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.
14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.
15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.
16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.
17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!
18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,
19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
20 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.
21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.
22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:
23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:
24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing.
26 And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.
27 And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.
28 And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.
29 And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:
30 But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.
31 And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.
32 It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.
yes. very very true.