I was reading Jesus’ parable of the Prodigal Son when a word “jumped off the page” at me. Jesus said that the prodigal son moved away from his Father’s house and “went on a journey into a DISTANT country.” (Luke 15:13) There have been times throughout my Christian life when I’ve said, “God feels so DISTANT from me right now.” If you were to be honest about it you would probably admit to having said those very same words. But, as this story so beautifully illustrates, in those times where God feels DISTANT from us it is because we have moved away from Him.
Throughout the story of the Prodigal son, the Father was always found in the same place… IN THE FATHER’S HOUSE. The distance between the son and the Father was created by the son’s departure… not the Father. The smartest words that ever left the lips of the Prodigal son are these: “I will arise and go to my Father.” He understood that if he wanted to feel close to the Father again that he would need to change locations.
I leave you with these words of admonishment: don’t ever accuse God of being DISTANT in your life. Didn’t He promise, “I will never leave you nor forsake you?” So, knowing that He is always true to His promises, we must come to the conclusion that when He feels DISTANT from us it is because WE HAVE MOVED.
My Prayer for Today:
“Father, forgive the times that I have wrongly accused You of being DISTANT from me. I realize that the times I’ve felt that way was due to the waywardness of my own heart. I know the best place for me is in The Father’s House… so I will ‘dwell in the house of the Lord forever.’”
Hebrews 13:5 (NIV)
God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
