The heart of a poor man is closer to God, hoping He'll change his situation one day; but the heart of a rich man is far from Him, for his wealth occupies his entire being. A man who lives in one year of abundance can easily forget the twenty years he lived in poverty. Whenever we are in need, the throne of God receives several missiles of prayers. Our prayer points have no end. However, after our needs are granted, the Almighty enjoys a time of peace and we no longer bombard His throne with our prayers.
"Then it shall come about when the Lord your God brings you into the land which He swore to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to give you, great and splendid cities which you did not build, and houses full of all good things which you did not fill, and hewn cisterns which you did not dig, vineyards and olive trees which you did not plant, and you eat and are satisfied, then watch yourself, that you do not forget the Lord who brought you from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.” (Deuteronomy 6:10-12)
The Israelites were at the border of the Promised Land. They were about to put all the bad experience of Egypt behind; change their diet after forty years of eating just "Manna"; change their clothes and shoes; leave every experience of the wilderness and enter a land of abundance. God warned them ahead to know what would happen to them if they dare forsake Him. After they entered the Promised Land, they prostituted themselves with the citizens of that land and grieved the heart of God. Because of this, the anger of the Lord broke upon them and many of them perished.
In the book of Luke 15:11-32, Jesus narrated a story of a father who had two sons. The youngest woke up one morning and in his heart killed his father. He said to his father; "Father, I wish you were dead. Give me my own share of your estate and I want it now." What he said brought grieve to the father. He was indeed in deep sorrow for a son he loved to have treated him in such a discourteous (rude) way. He was distressed, sorrowful and regretful! Nevertheless, there was nothing he could do than to divide his wealth between his two sons and gave a part to the one who wished him dead. This son he loved took his share and made a journey to a distant land.
You were once living with your Father who loved you so much and did everything for you. All of a sudden, you loved to be on your own and hated to be under the umbrella of your Father. You loved to be out there, to let people know you've arrived. You forgot easily the love and care He bestowed upon you; those you could see and those you couldn't see. Even when you were in your mother's womb, when your enemies wanted you aborted, He was the One who surprised them by bringing you to life when they least expected. Since you were born, He's been taking good care of you. Despite all the storm you encountered, He was the One who didn't allow the water to drown you. You thought your Father's rules and regulations were burdensome, His commandments were too harsh. You wanted to be free, to make your own rules and abide by them. You felt the peace and provision you were enjoying under Him were too little. You wanted to enlarge your coast. You felt your banner was too small. When you thought you've arrived, you said "Father, stay in Your Heaven and let me stay here. I thank You greatly for all You've done for me. You've cared for me enough. Please as from now henceforth, I don't need Your help any longer because I'm grown enough to help myself. Adieus!" In your heart, He was already dead; you've killed and buried Him.
However, your obedient Father listened to you, sorrowful, He couldn't withhold you back from the choice you've made, to depart from Him. And took his journey into a far country You, son of a King, from a royal family; you were tired of all the tight security. You were fed up of the entourage. You loved to be on your own. You didn't want anybody to guide you anymore. Because of this, you took all your belongings and your share of the royal estate with you, took a journey afar from your loving Father, to a strange land. You are still there, you thought you would be free and secure. Little did you know there is no security elsewhere apart from abiding under the shadow of your Father (the Almighty). You forgot in the land you made your choice to live, vipers and scorpions were there to devour you. You didn’t know there is devourer in that land. You didn't know no matter amount of wealth you take with you, it won't last long. You didn't make proper research of that land before you set out.
And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.
All you got from your Father was devoured in a twinkling of an eye. Your business is collapsed already. You don't know the way forward. Everything you rely upon is gone. You've finished all your savings and now you are in a great need.
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.
You, a prince, from a royal home. You who were once a controller of wealth now turned to a street beggar. You now eat with pigs. Oh poor you! Could you still remember all the security and entourage you once enjoyed? Do you still remember those days when you were sleeping without the thought of how you'll live tomorrow? Do you remember when you were lying down beside the still waters and always drank from the well you never dug? Now you are thirsty, no water to drink. If you see the urine of a pig you'll almost drink it for survival. Now you're fainting. Oh, poor you!
Wait a minute! Why don't you go back to your Father? "What; my Father! He has disown me already. I wished Him dead, took my share of our estate, took this journey and squandered all I had. Now you're telling me to go back to my Father. My Father used to have so many security guards and I know immediately they see my face, they will even kill me before my Father got to know about it because they all knew what I did to Him. The day I see my Father, that is the last day I will ever see the light of the day."
Can you still remember how loving He used to be, how He used to care for you. Even right now, He knows how you're suffering. Your Father is in sorrow because He knows you're eating with pigs, almost dead. You know your Father knows all things. You were unfaithful to Him but He will always remain faithful as it is written in His testament.
"If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself." (II Timothy 2:13) Now look at this: "But when he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men have more than enough bread, but I am dying here with hunger!’ I will get up and go to my father, and will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me as one of your hired men."' "So he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him."" (Luke 15:17-20)
Friend, arise and go back to your Father. Yes, what you did was terrible, but your Father can put up with the lost. He's up to the task. You think He'll not forgive you; but He will. He loves you so much that He will embrace and kiss you despite all you've done to Him. You thought your transgression against your Father is too great. There is nothing new under the sun friend! The worst thing you could ever do is to slaughter one million people at a time. Despite all you've done, He's telling you right now My son, come back home! I love you so much and I will even love you more than I used to love you. I will forgive you all you've done to Me. I will bestow care on you again. I will meet all your needs. I will heal you and set you free from all your afflictions. If you are the one, you may not forgive. I know you're human; that's why I'm not like you. Do you remember what I did while on that cross? All those I cured from their ailment; all those I fed with the miraculous bread and fish; some of them were blind and I restored their sight; some were deaf and I restored their hearing; many were lame and I made them walk; I healed their pains, healed their emotion and mind; they all gathered against Me and shouted I should be crucified. Even My closest companion betrayed Me. I was even abandoned by those We lived and ate together. Nevertheless, I told My Father in heaven to forgive all of them because they didn't know what they were doing. I knew you didn't know what you were doing. You thought outside My Kingdom would be better off. Now you know there is no light out there. Come to Me and I'll wash you with My blood.
Do you remember Peter? I found him while he was fishing. I healed him from his drunkenness and cowardice. We were together physically for three and half years. We ate and lived together. I taught him everything. I sent him out with his other companions and I gave them power and authority to do what they saw Me did. They all came back rejoicing. When I was about to depart, I told them what would happen to Me in Jerusalem. Satan spoke through Peter to Me so I could lose focus on My journey. He promised to be with Me even to the point of death. I told him he would deny Me three times before dawn. He thought it could never happen. When I was arrested, he even drew his sword and cut off the ear of the high priest's slave. I rebuked him and restored the young man's ear. Not very long he deserted Me and denied Me three good times. There was no difference from what he did and what My betrayer Judas did. However, he chose to come back to Me and repented. He knew I could forgive him and I did. He led his companion in carrying out My instructions. He grew up later to truly die for My name. If you also choose to come back to Me, I will not despise you.
Come back home! I know you're labouring and wearying. Your flesh is tearing apart already. Come to Me and I'll mend all your mistakes. I'll wipe away your tears and cover you with My glory. The same way you made the choice to depart from Me, make the same choice again and come back to Me. There is no sin I can't forgive. I have forgiven you already. I'm only waiting for you to yield to My call. You know I'm your first love, I will surely and truly give you the second chance. I'm only waiting for you to make your choice, I'm eager to embrace and kiss you. Will you make your choice right now? Will you give your life to Me once again? Just say this little prayer and I'll take care of the rest.
Lord Jesus, I'm deeply sorry I departed from you. I know I shouldn't have acted that way. I've tasted outside home and I can see there is no sweetness out there but bitterness and sorrow. Please forgive me all my sins and wash me with the blood You shed on that cross. Thank You my Lord. I know You have forgiven me. Amen.
"I tell you the truth, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." (Luke 15:7, 10)
Pastor Radiant Ayowole Jesudairo
London, 16th August 2015.
