Read Luke 15:11-21
“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!” (v. 17).
God did it!
A young relative of ours was away from the Lord, though raised in a Christian home and himself once a Christian. A problem he had, one that happens too often, was disappointment with professing Christians. Many relatives and friends were praying for him and trying to help him, seemingly without any real success. One day he went to a good family friend and, with his help and encouragement, prayed through to victory. My comment when I learned about it? “All I can say is, ‘God doeth all things well.’ ”
How often people miss God’s offered salvation or plan for their lives because they will not admit their need. They desire to order their own lives without God involved in any way. It has been said that “You can’t get a person saved until you get him lost.” He must fully realize his need. When the prodigal thought on his foolish waste, the nearness of starvation, and how well off he was before leaving home, he determined to go back. So he gave the pigs a “permanent wave” (meaning good-bye forever!) and headed homeward. (Joel E Miller)
He lived with the pigs in the pigpen
For he left father’s house to roam
Then he gave the pigs a “permanent wave”
And humbly headed home!
— Joel E. Miller
Stay put; do not be a foolish wanderer from Father’s house!
This devotional is the Tuesday, December 31, 2013 entry from the Winter 2014 edition of Opening the Word.
Photo Credit: "The Return of the Prodigal Son by Michael M. S. used under CC BY / Cropped and some filters used to bring colors out more.
