Devotionals
THE LOST SON
(Luke 15:11-32)
WHAT DOES THE WORLD HAVE TO OFFER? (v13-16)
When the son distances himself from his father to find a more exciting and satisfying life – he ends up in a dark and sinful place, enjoying what the world has to offer. But his happiness and excitement does not last long and when he runs out of money, his so-called friends run out of friendship and desert him, leaving him on his own. Just to survive he has to reduce himself to feeding pigs, he even envies them as they were fed and cared for, they were seen as the lowest of the low and yet they were living in better conditions than him, it must have been so degrading.
He is far away from his father, hungry, lonely, feeling unloved. It is easy to presume that the grass is greener on the other side and to do whatever you want is freedom, when actually we do not see how free we are and how fortunate we are to not be slaves to sin. What appears to be exciting by going against the rules only ends up being hurtful. But we have a father who guides us away from that. What does the world have to offer? Empty promises, temporary satisfaction and disappointment. Is it really worth it?
SO WHO WANTS WHAT THE WORLD CAN OFFER? (V17-19)
When the younger son realises how fortunate he was when he was close to his father, he decides to return home. He knows that even his father’s servants are fed, provided for and wanted. We similarly come to God as his servants, to humbly accept that we are sinners, he feeds us so we will never be spiritually hungry, he provides for us, protects us and loves us.
“God will generously provide all you need.” (2 Corinthians 9:8 NLT)
We therefore do not sink into the depths of despair, where we are forever wanting, always lonely and lacking any stability in our lives. We go through hard times but we have God on our side and he looks after us, he is above everything so there is nothing to fear because nothing can separate us from his love.
As Romans 8:31 & 38-39 (NLT) says,
“What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can be against us? “
“And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels not demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow – not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below – indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
GOD OUR FATHER (V20-24)
God sees us as his children, his family, in Romans 8:14 it says that God has “adopted” us to be “his own children” He will lavish us with blessings and gifts that are unimaginable in this world. The father was so happy to see the lost son return, whatever he had done, he showed him compassion and understanding, unlike the world that deserted him when it had taken everything he had – when he was left with nothing. If we trust in God he will not desert us, he will not bleed us dry and dump us at the side of the road to fend for ourselves. He protects us as a father protects his precious child.
OUR REACTION TO LOST SONS (V22-24)
The father organises a huge party and feast to celebrate the return of the lost son that humbly came home, admitting he has been sinful and gone against him. The father could have not been happier, as God is when people return to him, “there is joy in the presence of God’s angels when even one sinner repents.” (Luke 15:10 NLT) But we too should be as ecstatic as the father was to see people turning to God and coming back to his love – whoever they are, whatever they have done, whether they are like us and our friends or whether they are completely different to us, we should see them as part of our family, as they are children of God. God loves us all equally.
“You keep your covenant and show unfailing love to all who walk before you in wholehearted devotion.” (1 Kings 8:23 NLT)
WHY WOULD WE BE JEALOUS? (V28-31)
The older son felt hard done by that he had remained loyal to his father, working for him and staying close to him and yet he does not feel he has been rewarded. He sees all the gifts that his younger brother receives from his father after all the bad things he has done, he is jealous. Why has he not received these expensive gifts when he has faithfully done what his father has asked. But the important message is here in verse 31 when the father says, “You are always with me and everything I have is yours.” It is difficult when we see people who are sinful and without guilt or repentance that just seem to be fortunate in life, they are rich, have a good job, good relationship, lots of friends and things just always seems to go right for them. However in Proverbs 23:17 it says, “Do not let your heart envy sinners.” But we should find comfort in this V31, God promises that our loyalty, our worship and our work for him will not go unnoticed, it is not forgotten and it will be rewarded. God will share everything he has with us if we do the same with him. We do not need to be jealous of worldly people because we have many more blessings and indescribable gifts waiting for us in heaven.
“Remember the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward.” (Colossians 3:24 NLT)
Most importantly, jealousy creates a barrier between us and people that do not know God. How can we bring them to God, when we are secretly hoping that they do not succeed. We are here to show God’s love on earth and we have no need to be jealous as we have everything we need and more through God.
GOD LOVES US (V20)
It is not easy living unselfishly for God in a world that lives for its own selfish desires. But God watches over us and even when we are far from him, we cannot escape his love, he supports us through the bible, prayer and the Holy Spirit. We do not need to rely on ourselves or worry about making decisions because we have God to guide us, he has a plan for us and that will bring him glory and us happiness and contentment. But the most awesome part of this passage in verse 20 is when the father runs to his son “filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him.” God loves us and wants to be with us, but we have to come home to him first so that he can run to us, love us and hold us. Then how can there be any doubt that living for God is more fulfilling, exciting and rewarding than anything the world can offer? God has promised, “ I will never fail you, I will never abandon you” “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5.
Can anyone or anything else keep that promise?
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