‘The Lord is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.’ Psalms 103:8 (NLT)
‘He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve.’ Psalms 103:10 (NLT)
When you are grieving over a “lost” child, check him or her for pulse and respiration. If they are alive, there is hope. God takes the long view, and he is patient, patient, patient. He waits and waits, watching for opportunity.
Eventually, even angry rebels burn out, because every force that is not from God sooner or later turns destructive. Every force that is not from God will cause brokenness and fear, not contentment.
Jesus told a timeless tale about a father with two sons–a “good” one and a “bad” one. The bad one took his inheritance early and squandered it. In friendless poverty he came to his senses and asked his father for mercy.
Here is hope for all prodigals, and it is true for the prodigals in your own family too. Jesus’ forgiveness is big enough to cover every one of the sins of youthful rebels. While they live, there’s time and there’s hope: “The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities” (Psalm 103:8,10).
from Fear Not: Devotions From Time of Grace