DCLM Higher Everyday 4 August 2023 — Wise Resolve: I Will Arise
DCLM Higher Everyday 4 August 2023 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Wise Resolve: I Will Arise
Topic: Wise Resolve: I Will Arise
Text: Luke 15:11-24
11And he said, A certain man had two sons:
12And 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.
13And 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.
14And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.
15And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.
16And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.
17And 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!
18I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,
19And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
20And 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.
21And 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.
22But 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:
23And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:
24For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
Key Verse: “I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee” (Luke 15:18).
Message
Dr. Zacharias Tanee Fomum wrote that, “In spite of Satan’s work in blinding men’s hearts, the Holy Spirit is able to penetrate the darkened mind and call men to repentance.” No matter how far you have gone on a wrong journey, take the courage to turn back. This was what the Prodigal son did in our text. He led a fruitless and extravagant life in a faraway country. But he realized the futility of his action and quickly retraced his steps.
God is ready to forgive and restore any backslidden youth who sincerely seeks Him for restoration. The prodigal son was not ashamed of what people would say but had the unflinching resolve to return unto his father. In returning to the Lord, however, one must be ready to make a clear-cut separation from sin and sinful partners or objects of sinfulness. You must daily pray for grace to live for God, and have faith in the keeping power of God. Now is the time to make the wise resolve to arise and go to the heavenly Father.
Quote: Go to the heavenly Father
Challenge: If you are backslidden, repent and return to your Saviour.
Prayer for today: Lord, accept me again, I am sorry for straying.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
