May 3, 2021
I greet and bless everyone in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. The blessed word that God has given for you today, is from the book of John 1:12 “But as many as received Him to them He gave the right to become, children of God, to those who believe in His name.”
From the above passage we learn that God gave the right to become the children of God, to all those who received His Son, Jesus Christ as their personal saviour. God the Father wants us to be His children. He says, I have gathered your children together, even as a hen gathers her chickens under her wings. But God feels sorry, that they often refused to receive Him as their Saviour. Just as a Father has compassion on His children so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him . This is the nature of a Father.
We see the role of a good father displayed in the parable of the “Prodigal Son.” When the prodigal son returned to his father we see the graciousness of the Father overshadowing the sinfulness of the son; as it is the memory of the Father’s goodness that brings the prodigal son back home. There are some who for their own selfish reason backslide and draw themselves away from the presence of God. When they go away from God, the devil attacks such people. They might be well educated Medical students or Engineers. But suddenly such students get caught up in depression. These students would have secured good score in their subjects, but suddenly they go into depression. This happens when one goes away from the Lord. Then the devil has an opportunity to take possession of such people. You should never give an opportunity for the devil to take possession of you. This is the moment you fall into sinful things and lose the glory of God.
Back sliding can cause disastrous consequences. The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways. He may simply fall back through neglect by not praying, reading the Bible, and not keeping his focus on living for God, It can bring dishonour to the one who laid down His life for us (Jesus Christ.) But the Lord to such people gives an invitation saying, Return to Me with all your heart. In order to revive, the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite. “Return backsliding Israel, says the Lord. And I will not cause My anger to fall on you. For I am merciful” says, the Lord. The backslider in heart, will have his fill of his own way. But a good man obtains favour from the Lord.
God’s merciful purpose to His people is to revive and to restore. God calls us back to himself to be in fellowship. God demonstrated His love for us through the death of His son. Therefore, if anyone has gone away from the Lord , return back to Him, that He may heal you and bind you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. God is merciful with the merciful, and with a blameless man He will show Himself blameless. God bless you.
Prayer: Our loving heavenly Father, we thank You for this blessed day. Dear Lord help us to search our heart and see if we have backslidden. We pray for Your mercy. Forgive us of our sinful nature and cause us to reconcile with You. Help us to cherish your goodness rather than submit ourselves, to worldly pleasures. May we experience the glory of God in our lives.
In Jesus name we pray.
Amen.