He Didn’t Wait

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The Prodigal Son had messed up big time. We all know the story, after squandering his inheritance, through his acute hunger and level of living, he realised he’d got it all wrong. He didn’t then go to classes to improve his life style or train for a better job. He just decided to go home, say sorry and take his punishment.

When his father saw him away in the distance, he had no idea how his son had been faring, whether he had excelled or failed. He didn’t know he had sunk so low, had been starving and had a job feeding the pigs. All he knew his son was returning, that was what mattered. His son had been lost, now he was found.

When we return to God we don’t have to fill in a questionnaire to say how we are doing, We don’t have to pass an exam to show how worthy we are. God accepts us exactly as we are and some of us, like the prodigal son, have made a mess of life. We don’t have to wait for forgiveness, we have it as soon as we ask for it. We come as we are, God accepts us as we are. He can then instigate the forgiveness.

Sorry

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Gary was in his first week of being a truck driver for a particular company and somehow he landed the lorry in the ditch. Mortified, he expected to be sacked immediately. When he eventually returned to the depot, having cost the company a great deal of money on repair, his boss was waiting for him. ‘I’m so, so sorry,’ spluttered Gary. ‘I’ll see you in the morning,’ was his bosses only reply.

The next morning still expecting to get his cards, he gasped, ‘I’m so, so sorry.’ His boss replied, ‘You said sorry yesterday, that was enough. You only needed to say it once. I forgave you then. Here is your schedule for the day.’

When we tell God we’re sorry, really sorry, He forgives us and His forgiveness is complete. We don’t need to do penance or earn His forgiveness. It is a free and complete gift. We are absolutely forgiven. Knowing our frail natures, we know we will sin again and have to be forgiven for our fresh sins. (I don’t know if Gary ever crashed another lorry!)

On the cross Jesus dealt with our sin completely. We will receive His forgiveness if we ask for it and with the help of the Holy Spirit we will sin no more, or at least less..

No Other

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‘Whom have I in heaven but You.’ Psalm 73:33

These are words for all of us at all times. You might be at the end of your resources today or this week. It may be that you are in the midst of some great problem or tragedy or life may be full of niggling little troubles. On your own you do not have the ability to cope, but you don’t have to

‘Man is born to trouble as the sparks fly upwards.’ Job 5:7. It is not a question of ‘if trouble comes’ but ‘when trouble comes.’ You may have tried various remedies but nothing, has taken away the bad situation permanently. Then the question arises, where can we go but to God. He will comfort, uplift, guide and direct. He won’t necessarily remove the problem but with Him at our side we will be able to cope.

With God is isn’t a case of one time help. God’s help is from everlasting to everlasting. Every difficulty and indeed every joy is covered by God. It is a case of ‘Surely goodness and mercy will be following me all the days of my life.’ Psalm 23:6. Nothing is outside His range of help, nothing is too difficult for Him.

Be Still

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I’m a person who likes making lists; I feel I achieve a lot more that way. But in all my years of list-making I have never completed the list on the designated day. A number of jobs have had to be transferred to the next day. Do I control the lists or do they control me? I now acknowledge that I will never catch up.

Busyness is a mindset. These days multitasking is admirable. We are expected to rush on from one thing to the next. We tend to think that when this busy period of life has passed, the next period will be quieter. Not so, there are always so many demands. But by rushing in are we missing the enjoyment and blessings of today? Today is unique, it will never come again. Yesterday has gone, tomorrow has not yet come and there is no guarantee that it will. We must work hard but also be still. Many jobs are essential, but we need to have some rest. Just ten minutes on the bed, not reading, not listening, not watching will give reward over and over again. Just relax and be still, don’t even pray, that can be more hard and demanding work!

God has given us time to work and yet time to enjoy. Ecclesiastes tells us that there is a time and a season for everything. Even Jesus became tired and had to rest. He fell asleep immediately on entering the boat on the lake in spite of twelve noisy, rowdy companions and threatening storm. If He needed to be still, so do we.

For One of the Least

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‘Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ Matthew 25:40

My friend had broken her foot and at the first opportunity I went round to see her. She didn’t need any help as she had a husband, but I hope my visit cheered her up. The next morning I read in my devotions Matthew 25. I trust my visit was pleasing to God, I’m glad about that.

Our church cares for the homeless, the addicts and refugees. Each one is loved by God and by our church. ‘Love your neighbour as yourself,’ we are told. I realise that those who don’t love You as their Lord also do good works but it is comforting to know that we are pleasing God. If we don’t love our neighbours, it is hard to love God.

If only there was more love in the world instead of hate. If only there was more love in the world instead of indifference. There is the saying, ‘Love makes the world go round.’ That is true but it needs to be God’s sacrificial love and not sloppy stuff. When we do a kindness to others, it helps us feel better as well. God has made us to love. Then we will hear God’s, ‘well done good and faithful servant.’

Still Waters

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Psalm 23 tells us ‘ He leads me beside still waters.’ verse 3. Another version says ”quiet waters.’ I always see this psalm pictorially in my mind. I’m lying in a lush meadow, to my right and down the hill is the village with all it’s noise and bustle. To my left is the river of water which I used to imagine as fast flowing but now realise they are quiet waters, still waters. Not a fast flowing stream where everything gets swept away.

The water flows slowly and calmly, sparkling and fresh. It definitely is not stagnant, that would be smelly and unproductive. Our lives are always productive, even in our resting and waiting times God is restoring and building us up. The water in psalm 23 is probably full of fish and sweet-smelling. Our stream is going somewhere, guided gently by God, it has a destination. As it flows it is gathering wisdom and discernment. Others can join in and their lives can also be overflowing with joy and purpose.

In this environment the noise and babble of the world will be shut out; the water will be restorative, cleansing and invigorating. It will be like the river in Revelation. Our God is so good to us, to give us this peaceful place. The rest of the 23rd psalm talks of the valley of death and our enemies, but God in His love give us this peaceful time and His comfort for evermore.

Preparation

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‘At once they left their nets and followed Him.’ Matthew 4:20. Simon Peter and John’s call to follow Jesus resulted in an immediate response from these two men. This was in contrast to the man who wouldn’t follow Jesus until he had buried the dead, which was an excuse. But the immediate response of the disciples would not have come out of the blue. Day after day they would have heard Jesus preaching as they went about their work as fishermen They would have heard His words and witnessed His miracles. Their stirred hearts were being made ready for the calling.

Saul/Paul’s acceptance acceptance of Christ was just as sudden, but he was also being prepared. His persecution meant he had studied the scriptures thoroughly to arm himself with information to persecute. His knowledge was exceptionable. This groundwork led to the Damascus road.

Today, conversion still follows preparation. Those who are older would have learned from Sunday School, school or from their families. The younger ones could have learned that Christianity was something to be avoided but when at uni, a roommate could have told them the good news. A new neighbour could share the news, a colleague in a new job.

How exciting if we are chosen to be part of this awakening!

Small Blessings

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The disciples were exhausted physically, emotionally and spiritually. In just a few days they had witnessed their beloved Master tried, beaten, crucified and then arisen from the dead. No wonder they went back to what they knew best and where they felt safe. – fishing. Maybe it was necessary financially, but certainly necessary emotionally. There is only so much the human mind can take.

Twice the risen Jesus had been seen by them and now as they were staggering off the boat after a busy night fishing they saw Jesus on the sea shore cooking a meal for them. Their nets were full of fish, 153 large ones. This was definitely a large catch as the exact number of fish were mentioned. Jesus has the fire and the bread ready, all that was needed was the fish.

They would have been tired, exhausted even, but breakfast was nearly ready. An added blessing, their nets were not even broken. No net-mending needed! It is wonderful that God is mindful of us in the same way – a bus arrives quickly when our load is heavy, a friend makes us a coffee when we are particularly busy, all the traffic lights are green when we are late for an appointment.

May we always be mindful and especially thankful for all God’s blessings, whether they are large or small.

In Thankfulness

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We are encouraged every day by the numerous blessings we have received. I can imagine Philip in Acts 8 giving thanks for the blessings he had received on that particular day that we read about. Under God’s guidance he was on the road from Jerusalem to Gaza. I can imagine Philip in conversation with God, ‘I only obeyed Your instructions and look what happened. It was through Your will that I met this Ethiopian who was in charge of all the treasury of the Queen, not just any Ethiopian. There he was travelling along reading Your word and not understanding it. I was able to share Your good news with him and suddenly there was some water nearby (there’s not of much of that in the desert) and he was baptised. Because he was such an important person many people will now hear about You.’

The day of miracles isn’t over and Philip met many of them in just one day.

We pray that when we meet such an opportunity we may be ready as he was. It might not be so spectacular but any soul won for You causes the angels in heaven to rejoice. May we be as ready and obedient.