HE STILL LOVES US

“And he said, A certain man had two sons: And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.  And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.  And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.   And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.  And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!  I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.  And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.  And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.  But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.”

Luke 15:11-24

King James Version

What a beautiful illustration of the unconditional love our Heavenly Father has for us!  No matter how many times we fail Him and hurt Him, our loving and compassionate Heavenly Father still loves us.  William J. Kirkpatrick wrote one of my favorite hymns “Lord, I'm Coming Home”  “I've wasted many precious years, Now I'm coming home; I now repent with bitter tears, Lord, I'm coming home.”

If you have wasted many precious years and wandered away from God, He still loves you and is waiting with His arms open wide for you to come back to Him.  He won’t hit you, scold you or tell you that you’re no good like some dads do; He will hug you and rejoice because you have come back to Him.  He loves you so much He gave His beloved Son to die on the cross for your sins.  Please don’t wait another minute.  Run into His open arms and let Him comfort you.  He really cares about you.

Heavenly Father, You are a tender compassionate loving Father.  Thank You for loving us even when we hurt You.  I pray for all who are lonely, discouraged and broken hearted.  Please comfort them as You have done for me so many times.  I pray for every pastor who is preaching the good news of our risen Saviour.  Please let them know how much You love them and appreciate their service.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe

August 13, 2019