09/05/2020
Who do we call on in times of trouble? Where do we turn when all seems lost, and we are wandering blindly in our lives? We each have fallback plans that we engage when we can’t solve our own problems. We might not even realize we do this, but it is true. Some people call their friends for help, others go home, and some seek help from professionals such as doctors, psychologists, bankers, lawyers, or such, but all of us have some safety net we depend on... where does God fit into your list of those you turn to?
“and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.””
Psalm 50:15 ESV
There is one Bible story that we use quite often when we think about our having made bad choices, lost our way in life, pursued disappointing behavior, or made some unwise decisions, and that story is the parable of the prodigal son. It is a multilayered story that we use most often when we feel like our mistakes prevent us from going home again, and on the surface it appears to be the story of of a father’s love for his son, and one brother’s jealous resentment of another. Today I want to raise another aspect of this story that you might not have considered when you read this story... where was God in the progression as the prodigal son reached the end of his rope, had squandered all his inheritance, and was facing starvation?
The first course of action that the prodigal son turned to was seeking the help of a local farmer, and he was given the lowly job of feeding pigs in the field.
“And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs.”
Luke 15:14-15 ESV
Then his second step was to beg for help from those around him...
“And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.”
Luke 15:16 ESV
Then finally, in desperation, he decided to go home and seek mercy from his father...
“I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’”
Luke 15:18-19 ESV
Going home and throwing himself on his father’s mercy seems to have been his last resort, but as we read carefully we find that it wasn’t. Although he knew what he had done, and the sins he had committed, the son sought only his father’s mercy, and never once in this story did he call on God for forgiveness, or help. Fortunately for this son his earthly father’s love was enough, and he was welcomed home with open arms, but what if that hadn’t happened? Would he have thrown himself off a cliff, or fainted and starved to death, before seeking God’s forgiveness and help?
Jesus told this wonderful story about a father and his two sons as a spiritual metaphor so that we would see the good in accepting back into our midst those who have wandered away, and how our Heavenly Father’s love for us will overshadow our own sinful behavior and bring forgiveness, but if taken literally we see that the prodigal son never once called on God for help, or forgiveness. He had an order of progression when it came to solving his problem, and although he turned to the farmer, others, and finally to his earthly father, he never once turned to God for help. Perhaps he felt his sins were too great, after all... his brother characterized him to their father as anything but a godly man...
“But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’”
Luke 15:30 ESV
Our lives are not parables, although they can speak to us, and we too can squander our resources, or must solve life threatening problems like the prodigal son, but let’s ask ourselves today where we turn for help, and more specifically, where Jesus Christ, and God, fit into our progression when we seek help. Is God, our first resort? How about second, third, last, or heaven forbid, is He not even on our list?
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
Matthew 6:33 ESV
The parable of the prodigal son is a wonderful teaching tool that Jesus employed, and I have taken the liberty of modifying our perspective on it to make a very different point, but as we go about our day, let’s ask ourselves three questions regarding this wayward son. The first is this: what would have happened if he had conducted himself in a godly fashion from the beginning, secondly, what if he had asked God for forgiveness, and for His help before going to the farmer, and the lastly... discounting the first two, would he have eventually turned to God?
“Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus,”
Acts 3:19-20 ESV
Our answers to these three questions will have a great deal to do with our own perspective on faith, the way we live in relation to it, and how we employ it in seeking help when we are in trouble. So if God, or Jesus, is not first on our list, then let’s reevaluate our own lives, and if they are not on our list at all, then I challenge you to reach out to them today in whatever problem or crisis you find yourself in.
“and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.”
The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me; to one who orders his way rightly I will show the salvation of God!””
Psalm 50:15, 23 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for hearing me when I call out to you in my times of trouble, and for guiding me to a good resolution. I plead for your forgiveness Lord, and seek you in the name of Jesus as the tribulation of the world attempts to overcome me. Have mercy on me Father when I have turned in other directions before coming to you, and as I give you glory for my certain salvation I ask that you reorder my life so that I will live righteously before you, and seek you first in all things. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you my God who is my great defender, and who provides for my escape from every trouble and temptation. Praised be your name for ordering the steps of my life, and guiding me around every pitfall of sin that is cast before me. Merciful are you in your provision, and in accepting the tears of my contrition as I offer them with my cries for help when I have strayed. All glory Is yours Father; every fruit of my faith, and outcome when you rescue me, shouts of your glory to heaven, earth, and all of creation. Thank you for your Son Jesus who you sent yo redeem me, and save me from sin and death. Thank you for your will that gives boundaries to my prayers, and thank you for judging me worthy by the blood of Christ to live eternally in your presence. This is your day, and I place you first in it whether I seek your rescue, or righteous guidance in my life.
Rich Forbes