In the story of the prodigal son which Jesus told in Luke 15: 11-32, the prodigal son received his inheritance in the lifetime of his father, then left home and squandered it recklessly in a distant country. However, his father always watched from a distance expecting his return home. Luke 15: 20 says while he was still far off, his father saw him and was willed with compassion. God, our Father always watches us from afar with love and compassion however far we drift away from him expecting us to return.
Why did the prodigal son return?
Among the reasons for the prodigal son’s return back home include as follows;
His hope failed him
The inheritance in which his hope was, got depleted. Psalms 62: 10 says put no confidence in extortion, and set no vain hopes on robbery; if riches increase, do not set your heart on them. God was not in charge of his affairs though watched from a distance. Psalms 52: 6-7 say the righteous will see, and fear, and will laugh at the evildoer, saying, “See the one who would not take refuge in God, but trusted in abundant riches, and sought refuge in wealth!”. He could not bear the shame or debasement.
His haughtiness failed him
The prodigal son failed to recognize God as the owner of riches, the honour it gives, and for how long it lasts. Proverbs 8: 18 says riches and honour are with me, enduring wealth and prosperity. Some of us share the same character with the prodigal son. Proverbs 11: 28 says those who trust in their riches will wither, but the righteous will flourish like green leaves. Riches have a life span just like any other thing. Proverbs 27: 24 says riches do not last forever, nor a crown for all generations. For divine security over our wealth and riches, Psalms 37: 5 says commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act.
His short-sight failed him
The prodigal son never expected famine that would deplete his wealth. He did not consider the future. Psalms 90: 12 says, teach us to count our days so that we may gain a wise heart. The storms of life will certainly come. Jesus said in Matthew 7: 25-26 everyone then who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on a rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been found on a rock. Tomorrow’s events are not certain, only God knows not even the angels. Proverbs 27: 1 says do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.
His wrong ideals failed him
The prodigal son did not find feeding the pigs pleasant. God has a plan for each of us. Jeremiah 29: 11 says for surely I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with a hope. We will not enjoy any plan outside God’s plan which brings light that is satisfying in every situation of ours. To enable his light into our affairs, 1Peter 2: 9 says he called you out of darkness into his marvelous light (paraphrased). We must not choose our own lifestyles or ideals which God has not approved. Proverbs 3: 5 says trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight.
He self-importance failed him
The prodigal son became a servant in a foreign land rather than a prince in his own house. When we sidestep God, we become slaves to a foreign god, Satan, who is the ruler of this world. 1Samuel 2: 8 says he (God) raises up the poor from the dust; he lifts the needy from the ash heap, to make them sit with princes and inherit a seat of honour. We must go back to God to be restored to our royal status. 1Peter 2: 9 says, but you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
His state of denial failed him
The prodigal son came to himself with true penitence. Jesus said in Mark 2: 17 those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. We cannot be healed until we come to realize that we are sick spiritually. 1 John 1: 8-10 says if we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. The prodigal son showed true remorse. Psalms 44: 21 says would not God discover this? For he knows the secrets of the heart. Jesus said in Luke 16: 15… God knows your hearts.
His rejection of his father’s love failed him
The prodigal son knew that there was sufficient in his father’s house. He knew his father would be his advocate in the house. 1John 2: 1 says if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. The father spoke on his behalf and had a party for his return and was restored to all the privileges of life. Philippians 4: 19 says and my God will fully satisfy every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Jesus said in Luke 6: 38 a good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.
Are we any different?
We all make mistakes in life. However, when we become awake to our errors, we must run back to God who will not reject us. Psalms 51: 17 says a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. Our remorse must be true and honest because he knows our hearts. Jesus is always looking at us from a distance expecting us back home. Jesus said in Matthew 11: 28 come to me, all you that are weary and carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Like the prodigal son, we carry heavy loads of different kinds always. Only Jesus, like the prodigal son’s father will give us respite. What burden do we carry? God is watching us from a distance to receive us home as our advocate.
Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus Christ, we have recklessly squandered our inheritance. We have debased ourselves outside your plan for our lives. We are now slaves to sin in diverse ways which we do not enjoy. We desire to come back home. We know you are waiting for us for it is for such that you came. No matter the reason for our desire to return, we are sorry, please accept us back. We pray in your holy name, Amen!!
*Send us your prayer request so we may join you in prayerIn the story of the prodigal son which Jesus told in Luke 15: 11-32, the prodigal son received his inheritance in the lifetime of his father, then left home and squandered it recklessly in a distant country. However, his father always watched from a distance expecting his return home. Luke 15: 20 says while he was still far off, his father saw him and was willed with compassion. God, our Father always watches us from afar with love and compassion however far we drift away from him expecting us to return.
Why did the prodigal son return?
Among the reasons for the prodigal son’s return back home include as follows;
His hope failed him
The inheritance in which his hope was, got depleted. Psalms 62: 10 says put no confidence in extortion, and set no vain hopes on robbery; if riches increase, do not set your heart on them. God was not in charge of his affairs though watched from a distance. Psalms 52: 6-7 say the righteous will see, and fear, and will laugh at the evildoer, saying, “See the one who would not take refuge in God, but trusted in abundant riches, and sought refuge in wealth!”. He could not bear the shame or debasement.
His haughtiness failed him
The prodigal son failed to recognize God as the owner of riches, the honour it gives, and for how long it lasts. Proverbs 8: 18 says riches and honour are with me, enduring wealth and prosperity. Some of us share the same character with the prodigal son. Proverbs 11: 28 says those who trust in their riches will wither, but the righteous will flourish like green leaves. Riches have a life span just like any other thing. Proverbs 27: 24 says riches do not last forever, nor a crown for all generations. For divine security over our wealth and riches, Psalms 37: 5 says commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act.
His short-sight failed him
The prodigal son never expected famine that would deplete his wealth. He did not consider the future. Psalms 90: 12 says, teach us to count our days so that we may gain a wise heart. The storms of life will certainly come. Jesus said in Matthew 7: 25-26 everyone then who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on a rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been found on a rock. Tomorrow’s events are not certain, only God knows not even the angels. Proverbs 27: 1 says do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.
His wrong ideals failed him
The prodigal son did not find feeding the pigs pleasant. God has a plan for each of us. Jeremiah 29: 11 says for surely I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with a hope. We will not enjoy any plan outside God’s plan which brings light that is satisfying in every situation of ours. To enable his light into our affairs, 1Peter 2: 9 says he called you out of darkness into his marvelous light (paraphrased). We must not choose our own lifestyles or ideals which God has not approved. Proverbs 3: 5 says trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight.
He self-importance failed him
The prodigal son became a servant in a foreign land rather than a prince in his own house. When we sidestep God, we become slaves to a foreign god, Satan, who is the ruler of this world. 1Samuel 2: 8 says he (God) raises up the poor from the dust; he lifts the needy from the ash heap, to make them sit with princes and inherit a seat of honour. We must go back to God to be restored to our royal status. 1Peter 2: 9 says, but you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
His state of denial failed him
The prodigal son came to himself with true penitence. Jesus said in Mark 2: 17 those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. We cannot be healed until we come to realize that we are sick spiritually. 1 John 1: 8-10 says if we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. The prodigal son showed true remorse. Psalms 44: 21 says would not God discover this? For he knows the secrets of the heart. Jesus said in Luke 16: 15… God knows your hearts.
His rejection of his father’s love failed him
The prodigal son knew that there was sufficient in his father’s house. He knew his father would be his advocate in the house. 1John 2: 1 says if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. The father spoke on his behalf and had a party for his return and was restored to all the privileges of life. Philippians 4: 19 says and my God will fully satisfy every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Jesus said in Luke 6: 38 a good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.
Are we any different?
We all make mistakes in life. However, when we become awake to our errors, we must run back to God who will not reject us. Psalms 51: 17 says a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. Our remorse must be true and honest because he knows our hearts. Jesus is always looking at us from a distance expecting us back home. Jesus said in Matthew 11: 28 come to me, all you that are weary and carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Like the prodigal son, we carry heavy loads of different kinds always. Only Jesus, like the prodigal son’s father will give us respite. What burden do we carry? God is watching us from a distance to receive us home as our advocate.
Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus Christ, we have recklessly squandered our inheritance. We have debased ourselves outside your plan for our lives. We are now slaves to sin in diverse ways which we do not enjoy. We desire to come back home. We know you are waiting for us for it is for such that you came. No matter the reason for our desire to return, we are sorry, please accept us back. We pray in your holy name, Amen!!
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