A Word from the WORD: "RETURN HOME" (Article 213)
Life Fellowship
RETURN HOME
In the story about the prodigal son, there is an interesting twist to the tale. Jesus didn't stop with the account of how the younger son was welcomed back home. He went on to describe the elder brother's reaction and how he stubbornly stood outside his father's house refusing to join the celebration.
The older son had become terribly angry with his father. The reason was that his father had behaved in a manner he did not like. In other words, he was upset that the father had not done things according to his expectation.
When we begin our own walk with God, we are very humble and open before Him. We acknowledge every blessing we enjoy as an act of His mercy and receive whatever He chooses to give us. But later on, we make “demands” on God and when He does not work according to our desires, we get angry.
Here, we find that the elder brother got angry for two reasons. One, he was of the opinion that his brother should have been thrown out of the house. And secondly, he was upset because he didn't get his goat.
Is this often not our reaction as well? We can't stand it when others are favoured and receive honour. It really irritates us that others have received answers to their prayer or solutions to their problem while we are still on the waiting list. We feel that they don't deserve such goodness from God (while, ofcourse we do)!
Jonah was a prophet in the Old Testament who became extremely angry with God over a similar reason. He had been sent to the people of Nineveh with the message of judgment and the command to repent. The people responded with mourning and fasting, and God relented! However, the prophet had desired otherwise. He had actually longed to see their destruction, and was upset that his preaching ministry had yielded great fruit!
Again, like the older brother, we often become angry and upset over the comforts or benefits we don't have. The Son and all other spiritual blessings are not sufficient for us- we want, no demand, more! But the truth is that if we are not happy with the Son, nothing else can or will satisfy us.
If there is no joy in our lives, it shows that we are angry deep down. And when we are upset with God, it will reflect in our attitude and behaviour towards others as well.
We ourselves are responsible for this condition. Once we lay down our own plans, desires and expectations, and humbly receive what God has graciously and abundantly prepared for us, we will be truly free and totally joyful. It is time to pay heed to the Father and go inside the house.
The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you!
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