By Andrew Williams – December 13, 2021
I’ll get up, go to my father, and say to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. I’m no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired hands.’ So he got up and went to his father. But while the son was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran, threw his arms around his neck, and kissed him.
Luke 15:18-20 HCSB
Good morning fellow disciples.
Do you remember the moment that you realized that you had done something wrong and that you needed to repent of it? Do you remember the agony you felt as you realized how much you hurt the other party or parties? Do you remember what went through your mind at that moment?
Do you remember how it felt to think of how you were going to actually go back to those persons and ask for forgiveness? Do you remember what you were doing at the time? Do you remember how sinful you were and what your life was like then?
Sometimes we find ourselves in situations that clearly states to us that we have fallen so far from where we once were.
In this story, the young man was now at a place where he did not expect himself ever to be. When he realized how far he had fallen away from God, from his father, he decided to return. The good thing about his return is that even while he was on his way, his father saw him and realized what he was about to do.
Filled with compassion, and without hearing his son’s request for forgiveness he ran to him, to embrace him and to bring him back into the household that he had left.
If you are out in the world today, if you have backslidden, or if you are not serving the Lord the way that you should, I pray that you will realize where you are at and that you will turn away from your sinful lifestyle and return to your Father. Ask for forgiveness. Remember, He will see you coming from afar and run to embrace you.
What does God’s forgiveness look like? As we continue to pray, let us hear God’s response to our repentance in Luke 15:22-24 HCSB:
“But the father told his slaves, ‘Quick! Bring out the best robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Then bring the fattened calf and slaughter it, and let’s celebrate with a feast, because this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found! ’ So they began to celebrate.
Have a day full of repentance and forgiveness.