The Father's Enthusiasm

Romans 8:32 "He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all..."

I read a story about a troubled teenager who ran away from home – it was in a devotional book by D.L. Moody (legendary Evangelist of the 19^th century – 1837-1899). The young man ran away and refused all invitations his father sent for him to come back home. His dad reassured him that all was forgiven and that he and his mother just wanted their relationship restored – to please come home! The young man went so far as to scoff at his mother and father. He rejected all attempts of reconciliation.

Years later he received a letter notifying him that his father was deceased. Both father and  mother had passed into eternity. Would he come home to attend the funeral of his last surviving parent? His first reaction was rejection – an immediate no. However, his conscious began to get the best of him and he thought he should at least show some modicum of respect to the memory of so good a man, as his father. So, just as a matter of form, he took the train to the funeral service. He saw his father buried at the gravesite and returned to his childhood home, his heart as stony as ever.

When his dad’s will was read later that night; the son learned that his father had remembered him in the will, and that his inheritance equaled his other two siblings, the two who had not gone astray. This broke his heart. He realized then, too late, that his dad had never stopped loving him. He would be denied reconciliation and for what reason? His dad loved him! Life Moment: Forgiveness comes too late if you're dead. Also, guard yourself from feeling resentful when God shows mercy to people you think don’t deserve it. How do you feel when others get rewards greater than they deserve?

This is just the way our heavenly Father treats His children! He loves us in spite of our sin, in spite of who we are, and in spite of our rejection of Him. It is His love that brings the wayward and hard-hearted back into the fold.

Most Christians are familiar with the story in the book of Luke, Chapter 15, about the “Prodigal Son,” or the “Lost Son” as it is often referred to. I love this story! It has several tremendous lessons within the one illustration, separation/reunion; jealousy/forgiveness; but for today’s post let us be reminded about the aspects of compassion and refuge. Even today, after centuries of teaching about God's grace, the father's willingness to forgive his runaway son is shockingly charitable.  What always brings tears to my eyes is the part where his father saw him, and ran to him in love and great empathy. Verse 20 of Chapter 15 says, “And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. ²¹ And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.”
Compassion - ran — These two words emphasize the father's enthusiasm. In ancient societies, it was considered improper for an older man to pull up his robes to run. His actions, representative of God's feelings for repentant sinners, show enthusiastic acceptance, love and joy. His father RAN and fell on his neck, and kissed him. Oh what a beautiful picture this paints!

Like the Prodigal son, our thoughts need to turn HOMEWARD. (Our heavenly home). We should often think about the security we have in Christ – the shelter of His arms is our true resting place. Our refuge! Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Bringing our thoughts back to heavenly things and heavenly places can take work, but it is a worthy endeavor. We must push aside fears of rejection. God does not reject us; it is we, which reject Him. What if the father in the prodigal’s situation had not run TO him, but away from him or chased him away? What if the father had been worried about what his neighbors thought?
When our thoughts run “amok” it can lead to insecurity, arrogance, depression, or unnecessary anxiety. It’s at those times when we run askew that we need to seek directions toward the road HOME. We need to turn off “auto pilot” within ourselves and treasure the gifts from our Heavenly Father. Look to HIM for unceasing compassion and protection. The prodigal thoughts fade when we stay connected with ourselves, with our families, and most importantly with our Father in heaven.

Have you ever experienced a “run and hug?” I have! It is incomparable. Do you know what the catalyst for this type of hug is? It is love - love so intense it can only be expressed by an intense emotional outburst and outpouring of expression.  The father in the prodigal son’s situation could not help himself – he was so overjoyed he had to RUN to meet his son.

How thankful the Christian should be after wandering around in the dark, perhaps looking for that which does not exist, not only to be accepted (taken) back, but He runs to us as we peak over the horizon! {Amen and hallelujah!} How happy we should be that we are the prodigal daughters and sons of the Almighty God!

Look UP my friends!