S) "28 But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him,"
Luke 15:28 (NASB)
O) This little line kinda slipped by me previously. This is the older son, the non-prodigal one, here. He's mad that his faithfulness had never been praised or rewarded by his father, at least as far as he can tell. The part that jumped out to me immediately, is that his father came out of his house. He broke from the celebration to come and get his son! Again, we see that the father will not just sit back and wait for the son, any son, to come inside on his own. Just like when the younger returned, when his son is close, he will come to meet the son. Also, as I was reflecting on this verse by itself, I realized the father never rebukes the older son for his anger, but he also doesn't let his son stay out there, smoldering. He comes and smothers his anger with love.
A) My first response to this, is as the son. I would do well to remember that God seeks me out, even when I'm not especially far from Him. Even when it feels like all His attention is for others, He still takes the time to come meet me where I am and entreat me to join Him.
The second part for me, is as the father. I have a son who struggles with anger, as a matter of fact. He's also quite the introvert. Those two things tend to mean that when he is upset by things, he secludes himself. That's not a problem on it's own, but I need to take this example as guide to how I approach him in his little bouts of frustrations. It's especially important that I set this precedent early in his life, so that he will know who I am and how I love him, as his struggles become more and more serious over the years. I need to remember to smother his anger with love; the same love I'd use if he was a prodigal son; the same love the Father shows me.
A) My first response to this, is as the son. I would do well to remember that God seeks me out, even when I'm not especially far from Him. Even when it feels like all His attention is for others, He still takes the time to come meet me where I am and entreat me to join Him.
The second part for me, is as the father. I have a son who struggles with anger, as a matter of fact. He's also quite the introvert. Those two things tend to mean that when he is upset by things, he secludes himself. That's not a problem on it's own, but I need to take this example as guide to how I approach him in his little bouts of frustrations. It's especially important that I set this precedent early in his life, so that he will know who I am and how I love him, as his struggles become more and more serious over the years. I need to remember to smother his anger with love; the same love I'd use if he was a prodigal son; the same love the Father shows me.
P) Father, Your love humbles me over and over. I am thankful that You continue to come meet me in my incompleteness. In my broken, short-sighted, selfish pride, you continue to come and pull me close. Let me continue to recognize Your love for what it is, and who You are. Let this, and my own testimony, continue to remind me to stay close to You, so that, when I am struggling within myself, You are near and can entreat me to Your presence. In Jesus's name I pray, amen.
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