30th Mar 26 | 13:54
Studies by Book
Luke 15 11-32 To seek and the save the lost - The prodigal son 18 Our Father’s heart
📖 Luke 15:11-32
29thFeb2020 – Our Father’s heart - _Luke 15:11-32_ - Bible reading: _Isaiah 55:6-9_
_Luke 15:20-21 “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.'_
The turnaround process was complete but now came the moment of action. We see that he arose and came to his father. Wherever we may be in life, we need to be constantly getting up and returning to our heavenly Father. We may accept the teaching of the Lord in our heart and mind but if we do not get up and return to the Lord, then the convictions in our hearts are pointless.
The younger son was trudging his way back to his father’s house. We can place ourselves into his shoes and imagine the thoughts that would be blasting his mind, as he came back. There would have been fears, doubts, anxieties and it surely would have been a hesitant return. Whereas, look at the father’s response. His father was actually searching the horizon for him. As soon as he recognised his son, in the far distance, the father’s heart leapt with joy. He was filled with compassion for his son, ran, fell on his neck and kissed him. No hesitation…no holding back. Love expressed freely, lavishly and unashamedly, to a person, who had hurt him much.
This is our Father’s heart towards us. _Psalm 103:10-13 He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor punished us according to our iniquities. (11) For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; (12) As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us. (13) As a father pities his children, So the LORD pities those who fear Him._
_Isaiah 49:15 Isa 49:15 “Can a woman forget her nursing child, And not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely they may forget, Yet I will not forget you._
_Jeremiah 31:20 Is Ephraim My dear son? Is he a pleasant child? For though I spoke against him, I earnestly remember him still; Therefore My heart yearns for him; I will surely have mercy on him, says the LORD._
_Micah 7:18-19 Who is a God like You, Pardoning iniquity And passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He does not retain His anger forever, Because He delights in mercy. (19) He will again have compassion on us, And will subdue our iniquities. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea._
It is the Father, who longs for us but our response to our Father is usually, lukewarm and apathetic. His ways are far higher than our ways. Will we not respond to Him, the way He reaches us? _Isaiah 55:6-9 Seek the LORD while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near. (7) Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the LORD, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon. (8) "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," says the LORD. (9) "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts._
*Thought to ponder*
```Make me to be, passionately in love with you, Jesus.```