WHEN YOU LEAVE GOD’S PRESENCE…
Read Luke 15:11-24
11
KJV:And he said, A certain man had two sons:
12
KJV: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.
13
KJV: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.
14
KJV:And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.
15
KJV:And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.
16
KJV:And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.
17
KJV: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!
18
KJV:I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,
19
KJV:And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
20
KJV: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.
21
KJV:And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.
22
KJV:But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:
23
KJV:And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:
24
KJV:For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
MEMORISE
You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand 2023 are pleasures forevermore (Psalm 16:11).
EXPOSITION
The presence of God is so crucial that no Christian can do without it. Although, God is Omnipresent (everywhere at the same time), there is yet special presence of God that needs to be experienced by every individual. The ancient Israelites enjoyed the presence of God ever, as they began to obey Him. No wonder at a time, their leader, Moses, emphatically concluded, “…Except your presence goes with us, we go nowhere” (Exod. 33:15 paraphrased).
According to our text for today’s dose of the Living Water, the younger son of the rich man left his father, having collected the portion of goods he had earlier craved (Lk. 15:11-12). He taught he was being smart, not knowing that the devil was waiting outside there for him. He thought he was being wise for taking that rash decision! (Prov. 17:25). A chick stubbornly tearing itself away from the mother-hen to visit the dunghill would soon discover its foolishness. It might be narrowly privileged to be alive to brood over its stupidity. There is no best decision taken while in desperation or ecstasy. Such decision may have grave consequences.
How many times have you also decided to do things your own way? You are actually on your own when you decide to do things your own way, most especially, without due consultation with, and consideration of God and others! As the younger son of the rich man in the parable suffered want, desertion and untold hardship, because he left the presence of his father, so also, and even worse, would anyone who wanders away from God’s indispensable presence!
He tried to “save face” by deciding to join himself with the citizen of that country, who by no means could be like his own father! There is nowhere that can be compared to God’s presence. In God’s presence, there are joy, peace, pleasure, and every good and perfect things imaginable and unimaginable (Psa. 16:11; Jas. 1:17). May you not leave His presence. Amen.
Suggested Hymn for Today: CAC GHB 203
Yoruba
1. Pada, asako s’ile re,
Baba re l‘o npe o,
Mase alarinkiri mo,
N‘n‘ese at‘osi re;
Pada; pada.
2. Pada, asako s‘ile re,
Jesu l‘O sa npe o,
Emi pelu Ijo si npe,
Yara, sa asala;
Pada, pada.
3. Pada, asako s‘ile re;
Were ni, b‘o ba pe,
Ko si ‘dariji n‘iboji;
Ojo anu kuru;
Pada, pada.
Amin
English
1. Return, O wanderer, to thy home,
Thy Father calls for thee
No longer now an exile roam
In guilt and misery
Return, return,
2. Return O wanderer, to thy home,
“Tis Jesus calls for thee
The Spirit and the bride say, Come.
Oh, now for refuge flee
Return, return,
3. Return, O wonderer, to thy home’
“Tis madness to delay;
There are no pardons in the tomb,
And brief’ is mercy’s day:
Return, return.
Amen
Prayer points
1. I crave more for Your presence, O Lord. I know You will not deny me.
2. May I never abandon Your presence, O Lord.
3. Pray for the restoration of brethren who are backsliding, or have backslidden.
Extra Reading for Today: Joshua 15-17
Remain blessed.