Red Rocks Worship ΓÇô Day One (Devotional)
(Luke 15:11-32, Ephesians 1:4-6, John 5:24)
This song was written from the perspective of the Prodigal Son in the parable found in Luke 15 – ΓÇ£While he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him.ΓÇ¥ The father didnΓÇÖt have a chance yet to give a guilt trip. There wasnΓÇÖt time for shaming or blaming. Just running. Just embracing. Just kissing. He allowed his son to leave the family home – heΓÇÖs the one who gave him the inheritance! Perhaps the most amazing fact of it all is he wasnΓÇÖt surprised by any of it. He let his son go his own way to figure out what and where he wanted to be. He loved his son before his decision to leave, during his leave, and in his return home. Before his son had a chance to prove how sorry he was, the father rushed out to him and offered all the love he had.
The power of His love doesnΓÇÖt shrink based on where we are or what weΓÇÖve done. His sovereignty is steady; He sees all and knows all, and still He loves.
I think itΓÇÖs easier for us to accept the sovereignty of God when tragedy strikes or life is tough to understand. When it comes to our normal everyday lives and the decisions we face, perhaps we donΓÇÖt think about it as much. Our Father gives us free will, he gives us intellect and a life weΓÇÖre responsible to live. HeΓÇÖs not shocked by anything that comes our way, things completely out of our control, or things that are a direct result of our decisions. When we find ourselves in a mess, HeΓÇÖs not shocked. When we wake up among pigs, tired, broke and hungry, HeΓÇÖs not enraged. When weΓÇÖre faced with the distance weΓÇÖve created, HeΓÇÖs not threatened. The power of His love doesnΓÇÖt shrink based on where we are or what weΓÇÖve done. His sovereignty is steady; He sees all and knows all, and still He loves.
The truth is, itΓÇÖs always been Him and it always will be. ItΓÇÖs always been His love that does the pursuing, that does the running. His love has done the winning.
IΓÇÖve wasted years living as if I do the right things then God will somehow love me more. Then when I need Him to really show up, IΓÇÖll have enough earned favor from all my good behavior, but IΓÇÖve been able to see how backwards and contradictory that way of thinking is to the message of the gospel. The truth is, itΓÇÖs always been Him and it always will be. ItΓÇÖs always been His love that does the pursuing, that does the running. His love has done the winning. Rest today knowing you are so completely and fully loved by your Father, no matter where you are.
Written by Nicole Serrano