GOD Morning! June 13, 2016 / Stay or Walk Away?

GOD Morning! June 13, 2016


Stay or Walk Away?


Luke 15:11-32 AMP
The Prodigal Son


11 Then He said, “A certain man had two sons. 12 The younger of them [inappropriately] said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the property that falls to me.’ So he divided the estate between them. 13 A few days later, the younger son gathered together everything [that he had] and traveled to a distant country, and there he wasted his fortune in reckless and immoral living.14 Now when he had spent everything, a severe famine occurred in that country, and he began to do without and be in need. 15 So he went and forced himself on one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 He would have gladly eaten the [carob] pods that the pigs were eating [but they could not satisfy his hunger], and no one was giving anything to him. 17 But when he [finally] came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have more than enough food, while I am dying here of hunger! 18 I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; [just] treat me like one of your hired men.”’ 20 So he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was moved with compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to his servants, ‘Quickly bring out the best robe [for the guest of honor] and put it on him; and give him a ring for his hand, and sandals for his feet. 23 And bring the fattened calf and slaughter it, and let us [invite everyone and] feast and celebrate; 24 for this son of mine was [as good as] dead and is alive again; he was lost and has been found.’ So they began to celebrate.


25 “Now his older son was in the field; and when he returned and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he summoned one of the servants and began asking what this [celebration] meant. 27 And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has received him back safe and sound.’ 28 But the elder brother became angry and deeply resentful and was not willing to go in; and his father came out and began pleading with him. 29 But he said to his father, ‘Look! These many years I have served you, and I have never neglected or disobeyed your command. Yet you have never given me [so much as] a young goat, so that I might celebrate with my friends; 30 but when this [other] son of yours arrived, who has devoured your estate with immoral women, you slaughtered that fattened calf for him!’ 31 The father said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.32 But it was fitting to celebrate and rejoice, for this brother of yours was [as good as] dead and has begun to live. He was lost and has been found.’”


You can’t tell me that suddenly, one day this young man turned into a spoiled brat. I firmly believe that he had had an entitlement attitude all of his life. I imagine that the older brother was the responsible one. And he had watched his brother’s antics all of his life, shaking his head in disbelief as his brother had “gotten away with murder”.


It’s obvious that this young man was a rebellious, difficult child his entire life.


I have never heard of a child demanding his inheritance from his parents. This, in itself, is selfish, rude and uncalled for. And why did his dad hand it over? I believe that he was so tired of dealing with his youngest son that he was a little relieved to see him go, for a minute anyway.


I wish that we all had the compassion of this father. I’m sure that he had been hurt and disrespected too many times to count by his youngest son.


We get tired of being hurt over and over. Our emotions are raw. We simply don’t believe the person anymore when they say that they are going to change. We are done with them!


Which is the opposite of Jesus. He simply never gives up on anyone. Never. Unless the person walks away and completely embraces a reprobate mind. This person is consistently cold, hard and calculating.


I believe that this is when we should shake the dust off of our feet as Jesus advised the disciples in Matthew 10:14 and Luke 9:5. Or at least pray for him or her from a distance.


But if the person vacillates back and forth, sometimes being rebellious, and sometimes having a tender heart, God sees that. And God has patience. Endless patience.


I always try to err on the side of forgiveness. I don’t really have a hard time with this because I am a “rose colored glasses” type of person. I always hope for the best.


My son will tell you that he was the classic prodigal. No, he didn’t demand his inheritance. But he walked away.


For most of his life, he had been quietly rebellious. And one day he simply left. But he always had a tender heart. Always. His dad and I reached out over and over. And the few times he responded to us, we rushed to him. Why? Because we had this deep love for him, even though he had cut us off.


Oh, we made many mistakes. We blamed ourselves. We felt like failures. But we never stopped believing. We never stopped reaching.


All those sleepless nights. Constant worrying. Is he alive? Is he dead?


Did we grow weary of the pain over the years? A thousand times yes. But we never cut him off. Never. We never stopped loving him.


And he returned! And we celebrated! And we are continuing to celebrate!


Is there a prodigal in your life? A child, a husband, a wife, a mother, a father, or a brother or sister in Christ?


Don’t get bitter! Don’t say, “Okay that’s it, I’ve had all I can take!”


“People will think I’m crazy for taking him or her back!” you may say. Who cares what people think?


WWJD? He NEVER gives up. He forgives. Over and over. As many times as it takes. He believes even when no one else does.


I want to be like Him!


“Dear Jesus, is there someone out there who needs this today? Is there someone who is torn up on the inside from the constant pain that has been inflicted on them from a loved one? Years of pain. Years of hurtful words. Years of having hopes dashed. Oh God, please. Please lift this dear one up in Your arms. Please let them see the prodigal through Your eyes. They have lost all hope of reconciliation. They are done. They have had it up to here. But You are asking them to keep hoping. Keep believing that You are the restorer. You are the mender. You are that loving Father who will take anybody back! Please help them to love again. Please help them to forgive again. As many times as it takes. How I love You Jesus. How I adore You. AMEN.”


Disclaimer: I’m not saying that you must live in an abusive situation that is harmful to you or your children. Please don’t use this devotion as an excuse not to make a hard choice to leave an unhealthy environment. You need Biblical counsel for sure. I am no pastor. I am no counselor. I am simply sharing my heart.