Always Welcome

Text: Lamentations 3: 26-41

It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.
It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth.
He sitteth alone and keepeth silence, because he hath borne it upon him.
He putteth his mouth in the dust; if so be there may be hope.
He giveth his cheek to him that smiteth him: he is filled full with reproach.
For the LORD will not cast off for ever:
But though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies.
For he doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men.
To crush under his feet all the prisoners of the earth.
To turn aside the right of a man before the face of the most High,
To subvert a man in his cause, the LORD approveth not.
Who is he that saith, and it cometh to pass, when the Lord commandeth it not?
Out of the mouth of the most High proceedeth not evil and good?
Wherefore doth a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins?
Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the LORD.
Let us lift up our heart with our hands unto God in the heavens

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The words of God through Prophet Jeremiah came at a time when the Israelites were taken into captivity, with a few remnants remaining in Jerusalem. Israel had sinned and God has turned His back unto them; causing them to be afflicted and taken into bondage. However, in all these terrible conditions Prophet Jeremiah through God's revelation is able to identify Gods mercies and compassion. “... But though He cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of His mercies, for he doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men...” (vs. 32 & 33). It is also interesting to note that the Lord will not cast off forever. He will not write us off while we are still alive. He will always give that grace for us to repent and obtain His forgiveness. The suffering of God's people is never hopeless or endless. Jeremiah knew that all that is required of the Israelites at that time is to turn back to God.

They also need to acknowledge their transgressions and pray for forgiveness and God's unfailing compassion will once again be revealed. Are you burdened with loads of care? Cast down by the stress of life? Have you suffered loss in any way? Remember, God will not cast off forever, our case is not hopeless and at some point, His love, mercies and compassion will be revealed; and though it tarry, wait for it, because it will surely come and will no longer tarry” (Habakkuk 2: 3). Though it may appears that God's help is deferred, and does not immediately appear for our deliverance and salvation; but in reality He never rejects us from being his people, we will always have a place in His heart, and are ever under His eye and care. His love is unchangeable; His purposes firm; His counsel, covenant and promises are immutable; and though we may be cast down in our souls and cast out by men, yet are not cast off by God.

Luke 15: 11-20

And he said, A certain man had two sons:
And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.
And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.
And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.
And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.
And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.
And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!
I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,
And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.

The story of the prodigal son looks like story but with all sincerity, it’s real. This young lad thought in himself that he is old enough to be free and take decisions as well and that is why he asked his father to give him his own portion of his property. Of course, the father did not consent to his request immediately but after he had persuaded his son and he turned it down, the father then gave what he demanded. The story of the prodigal son tells of God's redemptive grace and mercy, His unconditional love and forgiveness. It's about a loving God seeking out and looking out for lost and wretched sinners. It shows the Lord's readiness to welcome and bless the vilest offender who truly believe, repent and return to Him in obedience.

Many occasions you and I do ask God to give us our dues in time, and having gone astray like the prodigal son; we willfully and wrongfully misapply our thoughts and resources and time. We then turn back to Him as our Father. His love never fades and faints. For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten son... (John 3:16). Are you wayward? We all have sinned and gone astray. He is ready to take us back, if we decide to come back. “I stand at the door and knock, if anyone hears my voice, I will not cast him away. (Revelations 3:20). When the prodigal son came back, his father looked beyond the rags and this marked a welcome, forgiveness and restoration of the relationship.