The 63rd day – The Prodigal Son

So he got up and went to his father. But 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

Today’s verse is from the parable of the lost son. For me, this is most compelling and powerful parable that Jesus has ever told because it is the best explanation of God’s amazing Grace and unconditional love. The story reveals the worst possible sinner receives the most undeserving grace, it is a tale about rebellion, repentance and grace. 

Jesus use this story to tell his critics and us that what God is really like: He is a God of compassion, God of forgiveness and Grace, God of loving kindness, God of rejoice and love … He is the most amazing Father, the God of embrace not exclusion. 

For God, “ there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” (Luke 15:10)

Dr John MacArthur wrote a book about this, it is called: The tale of two sons. Below is a short movie clip about the story.

This is the picture of God the father receives his lost son. God loves you!

The 26th Day – The LORD is compassionate and gracious

As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him. —- Psalm 103:13 (NIV)

Psalm 103 is one of the most famous of David’s psalms. His praises focused on the good things God was doing for him. It is easy to complain about life, but David’s list gives us plenty for which to praise God – He forgives our sins, heals our diseases, redeems us from death, crowns us with love and compassion, satisfies our desires, and gives righteousness and justice. We receive all of these without deserving any of them. No matter how difficult your life’s journey, you can always count your blessings – past, present, and future. when you feel as though you have nothing for which to praise God, read David’s list: 

Psalm 103 – Of David.

 ¹ Praise the LORD, my soul; 
   all my inmost being, praise his holy name. 
² Praise the LORD, my soul, 
   and forget not all his benefits— 
³ who forgives all your sins 
   and heals all your diseases, 
⁴ who redeems your life from the pit 
   and crowns you with love and compassion, 
⁵ who satisfies your desires with good things 
   so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

 ⁶ The LORD works righteousness 
   and justice for all the oppressed.

 ⁷ He made known his ways to Moses, 
   his deeds to the people of Israel: 
⁸ The LORD is compassionate and gracious, 
   slow to anger, abounding in love. 
⁹ He will not always accuse, 
   nor will he harbor his anger forever; 
¹⁰ he does not treat us as our sins deserve 
   or repay us according to our iniquities. 
¹¹ For as high as the heavens are above the earth, 
   so great is his love for 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 has compassion on his children, 
   so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him; 
¹⁴ for he knows how we are formed, 
   he remembers that we are dust. 
¹⁵ The life of mortals is like grass, 
   they flourish like a flower of the field; 
¹⁶ the wind blows over it and it is gone, 
   and its place remembers it no more. 
¹⁷ But from everlasting to everlasting 
   the LORD’s love is with those who fear him, 
   and his righteousness with their children’s children— 
¹⁸ with those who keep his covenant 
   and remember to obey his precepts.

¹⁹ The LORD has established his throne in heaven,
and his kingdom rules over all.

²⁰ Praise the LORD, you his angels,
you mighty ones who do his bidding,
who obey his word.
²¹ Praise the LORD, all his heavenly hosts,
you his servants who do his will.
²² Praise the LORD, all his works
everywhere in his dominion.

Praise the LORD, my soul.

In verse 13, it reveals that God is like a father – tender and compassionate. not every child has a tender and compassionate father, however, too often, sadly, the cycles of abuse and dysfunction rob children of loving fathers. if that is your situation, God offers himself to you to be the FATHER YOU NEVER HAD or perhaps felt you never needed. Of course, you can’t physically ‘go for a walk’ with God or be held in his arms, however, you can receive his LOVE in your heart by means of his Holy Spirit. God can tenderly heal your deep loss.