Last time I mentioned the Parable of the Prodigal Son. I feel led to drive this point home a little more today and trust you’ll find hope in what you read. I want to encourage us to consider the other two parables that we find within the exact same chapter (Luke 15). Consider the same point that God continues to flash in front of us.
In verses 1-7 we read about The Parable of the Lost Sheep. In this paragraph it is God, the Good Shepherd, Who is going after His lost sheep in hopes that His sheep will repent and come home. Verse 6 says, “And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’” Sound like the Prodigal Son Parable? This is God Who is in fact actively and continuously going after His lost sheep. In verses 8-10 we read about The Parable of the Lost Coin. Similarly, a coin was lost, but now is found. God again rejoices over a repentant child and says in verse 9, “‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’” The Parable of the Prodigal Son follows directly after each of those two parables, and we read in verse 24 that the Son “was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.” Why? Because the Son was repentant. The son turned from his sin and to His Father. In each of the parables within Luke 15 God is driving home the same point. It is He Who is pursuing the lost and unrepentant. He is actively going after each one in hopes that he or she will repent and return home. Trust that God’s got this and remember that your situation isn’t unique…it’s hurtful and hard, but you’re not alone in this. Many parents have felt the ache of experiencing a “prodigal son” story situation. Again, this doesn’t mean that we can’t have a passion for the lost…that’s healthy for us because it proves the worth the child has in our life. I guess my point is that we need be cautious that we don’t attempt to insert ourselves into the role that the Lord possesses. The lost never go unnoticed in His eyes. By allowing God to do His work in the lives of the lost we allow ourselves an opportunity to have that weight removed off our shoulders. Both Proverbs 22:6 and Ephesians 6:4 remind parents to bring their children up in the Lord and in the way they should go…which is God-ward. Much like a coach…come game time the athlete is the one going out and performing what he's been taught...the coach just tries to help put him or her in a position to succeed. As parents, we can set them up for success, and we can be there for them when they make poor life choices, but just keep in mind what God is actively doing in the life of your child. He won’t give up on him or her, just like He’s never given up on any one of us. Practicing His Presence, Nate Debbie McDaniel provides for us “A Prayer for the Lost and the Prodigal Dear God, You know our hearts, you hear our prayers, and care about all that concerns us. You understand the burden we carry and how we want, more than anything, to see our loved ones come to you. Help us to remember that you love them more than we ever could. And you desire to extend your great love and forgiveness, your mercy and hope. Thank you that nothing is too difficult for you. Thank you that your power is unlimited and you came to set the captives free. Thank you that you wait, arms open, for the prodigal to return, that you look for his arrival to lavishly celebrate that he’s come home. We praise you for you are Redeemer and Rescuer, Savior and Lord. We know and believe that there’s no pit so deep that your love can’t reach us still. We understand that your mercies are new every morning, and your faithfulness is great. Lord, we ask that you would halt the plans of the enemy over these we love as we bring them before you right now. We pray that his schemes be demolished and that your plans for good, for a future and hope, would prevail. Would you open blind eyes that they might see your Truth. Would you rescue those walking in darkness and heal the deep wounds of those who’ve been hurt. We pray for the miraculous intervention of your Spirit to draw them to yourself, to work strong on behalf of our loved ones who are lost and wandering. For you came with good news, to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for captives and release for the prisoners. Though we deserved penalty for our wrong, you stood in our place and took the blows on our behalf. You choose to die, so that we can live. Forever and free. Lord, forgive our unbelief. Forgive the times we’ve doubted that you could ever change a distant heart. Forgive our hard-heartedness, our weariness, or forgetfulness to ‘pray continually.’ Thank you that you never give up on us. Remind us of how you’ve changed our own hearts. How your miracle of life and hope has sprung up deep within our souls. We love you Lord, we need you, and we thank you that you hear our prayers and are at work even now. Powerfully. Faithfully. Miraculously. Thank you for the gift of our Savior, God with us. Thank you for your goodness and love… In Jesus’ Name, Amen.” Link to Full Article Song and Hymn:
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AuthorNate Smith is a husband, a father of 6 girls, grandpa to 3 granddaughters and one grandson, a police and fire chaplain, a pastor, and has a passion to see men grow in Christ. #girldad including granddaughter
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