Daily Devotions – Father, I have sinned

Daily Devotions – Father, I have sinned

 

Click this link to hear an audio version of the below text narrated by SOTH member Jerry Rhinehart:

 

Luke 15:17-21 (NIV)
17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. 21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

 

Lord, I love this story. I can remember when I was the one who deserted You. There came a time in my life when I realized how foolish I was and how much I needed to come home to You. I needed to make distinct choices to repent and lay my sins at Your feet. It meant to make changes in my life including what I did, who I hung around with, what I watched on TV and even how I talked. It meant giving my life back to You. The part that I love the best is picturing You running with Your arms open to accept me back and forgiving me fully. By Your grace, I am saved and have been given the chance to start my life over with a clean slate and to live as Your beloved child. What a glorious gift that is. Help those who find themselves separated from You to return to Your loving arms. I look forward to the day when I will see You face to face and run into Your arms for real as I enter into eternity. Amen.