Lost and Found - Day 105 Month 4-15 Week 15-7

Today's Reading (Bible in 1 year)


Numbers 18:8-19:13 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers%2018%3A8-19%3A13&version=NASB1995

Psalm 84 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2084&version=NASB1995

Jeremiah 5:1-13 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jeremiah%205%3A1-13&version=NASB1995

Luke 15 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2015&version=NASB1995


Lost and Found


I Love the story of the Prodigal Son.  Who doesn’t love a great happy ending?  If you didn’t read it today, go back and read the Luke portion of today’s reading.  A brief synopsis of the story is:

  • A man has 2 sons

  • The younger demands his inheritance portion of the estate (a shocking and insulting thing to do because in that culture it was basically wishing the father was dead, and breaking all ties with family and community) 

  • He goes to a distant land and squanders his wealth on “loose living”

  • He runs out of money and gets a job feeding pigs

  • He’s so hungry that the food he feeds the pigs looks appetizing

  • He realized his fathers servants are better fed

  • He says, I will go back to my father and plead for forgiveness but let him know I know “I am not worthy to be called your son”

Here’s where I love the story.  His father sees him at a distance.  Do you know what that means?  His father was watching and waiting for him!  As soon as the father sees his son, he runs to meet him.  The son starts his speech, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.”  The father ignores the son’s comments and  says to the servants to “bring out the best robe…put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet.”  The father orders a feast.


The story does continue.  The oldest son doesn't get it.  He never left the father and looked after the estate, but there’s never been a feast held for him.  He judges the brother and refuses to accept him back. The father explains that he (the older son) has been there all along and everything the father has is his.


This is the heart of God for us all!  He is waiting and watching.  “I AM” is simply looking for your change of heart.  He waits for us to turn around.  We are not worthy on our own.  He makes us worthy.   It doesn’t have to be your lowest point but that’s often when we are willing to look to Him.  He is pursuing you even if you don’t know it or feel it.  For those of us who are in a relationship with Him, we’re already sharing in His kingdom.  Waiting for the last moment means that you'll have missed out on all the goodness of God that was available to you.  Remember, a few days ago, I talked about John 14:6.   The only way to God is through accepting the work of Jesus.


As the writer of Psalm 84 says, “Better is one day in your courts  than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.  For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does He withhold from those whose walk is blameless.(NIV)”


When a person becomes a Jesus follower, that person is a child of God.  There is a celebration in heaven on that day because, “what was lost has been found!”



Have a great day!

Steve

steve.d.pauls@gmail.com


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