Luke 15:18-24
18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants. 20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. 22 But the father said to his servants, Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. 23 And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to celebrate.
Too often we are afraid to go to God when we have sinned, for we are afraid of God's judgment. In the case of the prodigal son, as a last resort he went to his father, not even hoping to be welcomed but just wanting enough to eat. But our Father God is merciful and longs for us to return to Him. Note how the father does not sit back and wait for the son's apology, but actually initiates the reconciliation by running to him and embracing him even before his apology (verse 20). This is the picture we need to keep in mind when we feel defeated by our sin, of a loving father who longs to embrace us and restore us.
Heavenly Father, thank you for Your amazing grace. I don't deserve it, but I need it and so appreciate it.
18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants. 20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. 22 But the father said to his servants, Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. 23 And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to celebrate.
Too often we are afraid to go to God when we have sinned, for we are afraid of God's judgment. In the case of the prodigal son, as a last resort he went to his father, not even hoping to be welcomed but just wanting enough to eat. But our Father God is merciful and longs for us to return to Him. Note how the father does not sit back and wait for the son's apology, but actually initiates the reconciliation by running to him and embracing him even before his apology (verse 20). This is the picture we need to keep in mind when we feel defeated by our sin, of a loving father who longs to embrace us and restore us.
Heavenly Father, thank you for Your amazing grace. I don't deserve it, but I need it and so appreciate it.