The Upper Room Daily Devotional from Nashville, Tennessee, United States “Coming Home” for Tuesday, 23 August 2016 with Scripture: Luke 15: 11 Again Yeshua said, “A man had two sons. 12 The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the estate that will be mine.’ So the father divided the property between them. 13 As soon as he could convert his share into cash, the younger son left home and went off to a distant country, where he squandered his money in reckless living. 14 But after he had spent it all, a severe famine arose throughout that country, and he began to feel the pinch.15 “So he went and attached himself to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to fill his stomach with the carob pods the pigs were eating, but no one gave him any.
17 “At last he came to his senses and said, ‘Any number of my father’s hired workers have food to spare; and here I am, starving to death! 18 I’m going to get up and go back to my father and say to him, “Father, I have sinned against Heaven and against you; 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired workers.” ’ 20 So he got up and started back to his father.
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was moved with pity. He ran and threw his arms around him and kissed him warmly. 21 His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against Heaven and against you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son — ’ 22 but his father said to his slaves, ‘Quick, bring out a robe, the best one, and put it on him; and put a ring on his finger and shoes on his feet; 23 and bring the calf that has been fattened up, and kill it. Let’s eat and have a celebration! 24 For this son of mine was dead, but now he’s alive again! He was lost, but now he has been found!’ And they began celebrating.
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While he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.[Luke 15:20 (NIV)]
My wife and I went to the airport to pick up our daughter when she returned from visiting her grandmother. We waited by the long hallway where all the arriving passengers would eventually emerge. The numbers grew as people gathered and peered anxiously down the tiled tunnel hoping for a glimpse of their loved one.
Relief and excitement spread across faces as people spotted and greeted those for whom they had been waiting. Watchers abandoned their posts and rushed forward to joyous reunions. As we all walked back and forth excitedly, waiting to spot our special person to confirm that they were safely home, I thought about God’s love for us.
I know that God watches and waits for us with the same longing. God longs to see, welcome, and hold each of us. No one will ever love us with as much depth and intensity as Jesus, who gave himself for us on the cross. We can rest assured knowing that if some sin, or temptation, or mistake has lured us into a “far country” like the son in today’s reading, the promise of forgiveness awaits us when we return to God’s loving arms.
See a picture of Joey with his daughter and wife, here.
The Author: Joey Yow (North Carolina, USA)
Thought for the Day: God is always ready to welcome me.
Prayer: Dear God, thank you for families and friends who love us. Thank you for your love and presence in our earthly life and the promise that you will welcome us into our eternal home with you forever. Amen.
Prayer focus: THOSE SEPARATED FROM LOVED ONES
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