The word "prodigal" means reckless and wasteful...
And if we're honest with ourselves, I told the congregation during this morning's chapel service, we've all been guilty, perhaps some of us more than others, of carelessly wasting our time, talents and lives on useless things.
The Lord, I believe, has His share of prodigal sons and daughters (me included) who've allowed ourselves to become discouraged, or to lose faith, or to fall into sin. We started off right, I said, and we're walking with the Lord, but then we grow cold. Maybe we even take a fall and find ourselves straying off course for months, or for years.
As a result, the guilt becomes overwhelming because we know we have failed God. The devil then enters the scene and has a joyous time tormenting us further, gleefully reminding us just how bad we "messed up." Satan loves to condemn God's children.
Yet, in the midst of the condemnation and our failures, somehow, the "Light" begins to shine again. The Holy Spirit, I told the men, has never given up on us. He quietly begins to stir our hearts. And under His convicting authority, we find ourselves crying to the Lord Jesus for mercy. In addition, we also discover that His "Throne of Grace" is still open for business. There's no "Keep Away" sign posted. Instead, we find in Christ a warm and loving welcome. We repent and He relents. We apologize with broken and contrite hearts, and He forgives and restores abundantly.
The Lord knows that we're only "earthen vessels." He knows our frame. And while Jesus never condones back-sliding, He does put us on the right track once again. Amen!
D.B.
The Lord, I believe, has His share of prodigal sons and daughters (me included) who've allowed ourselves to become discouraged, or to lose faith, or to fall into sin. We started off right, I said, and we're walking with the Lord, but then we grow cold. Maybe we even take a fall and find ourselves straying off course for months, or for years.
As a result, the guilt becomes overwhelming because we know we have failed God. The devil then enters the scene and has a joyous time tormenting us further, gleefully reminding us just how bad we "messed up." Satan loves to condemn God's children.
Yet, in the midst of the condemnation and our failures, somehow, the "Light" begins to shine again. The Holy Spirit, I told the men, has never given up on us. He quietly begins to stir our hearts. And under His convicting authority, we find ourselves crying to the Lord Jesus for mercy. In addition, we also discover that His "Throne of Grace" is still open for business. There's no "Keep Away" sign posted. Instead, we find in Christ a warm and loving welcome. We repent and He relents. We apologize with broken and contrite hearts, and He forgives and restores abundantly.
The Lord knows that we're only "earthen vessels." He knows our frame. And while Jesus never condones back-sliding, He does put us on the right track once again. Amen!
D.B.
