Do not Depart from JesusSpeaker: Dr. Paul Dhinakaran Gist: You may feel a great burden in your life and lack peace. Our gracious Lord would have permitted that affliction in your life to correct you and not to go astray from Him. Two sailors caught in a shipwreck jumped into a lifeboat and started rowing towards the shore. The boat was tossed by strong winds. They were frightened that they might sink anytime in the rough sea. One of them began to pray saying, "Lord, I was a loving child of Yours! Due to a certain force of circumstances I went astray from You. Forgive me, Lord!" He then began a prayer of commitment, making a covenant with God, "Lord! If only You save my life this time, hereafter I shall never..." Before he could complete the covenant, his friend interrupted, "Do not make that prayer, I see a ship over there."
Many of us who make seek the love of God only in such crisis. Afterwards they completely ignore Him. When we are caught up in such difficult situations, we are in a great fix. We are afraid to go to God and ask for His help and forgiveness for what we have done against Him and how much we have hurt His loving and compassionate heart.
When I was young none of my father's sermons had any impact on my heart. When examination drew near, I would kneel down at meetings, weep and pray, "Lord! My examination is fast approaching. Do help me, Lord! I will become Your child!" But even before the examination gets over, all my prayers and tears would have ended and I strayed far away from God. I had no concern about my studies. I was dismayed about my future. I could neither study nor go to God for help. A vague fear possessed me. I could not describe my plight to my parents or my friends. If I tell my friends my fears and anxieties, they would call me a coward and a fool. I spent my days in great agony with no one to help me. At last I went to God and cried.
"For whom the Lord loves He corrects, just as a father the son in whom he delights." (Proverbs 3:12)
"Behold, happy is the man whom God corrects; Therefore do not despise the chastening of the Almighty." (Job 5:17)
Dear friend, you may also be caught up in a similar situation today. You may be haunted by vague fear. Your conscience may be pricking you all the time. With no hope, you may ask yourself if you can ever pass your examinations. You may be in great affliction. But our gracious Lord would have permitted that particular affliction in your life to correct you and not to make you go astray from Him. Our Loving Lord and Saviour stretches forth His powerful and loving hands to receive you, to keep you close by His side and to bless you.
"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
(Matthew 11:28)
In Luke 15:11-32 we read of a young man, who took the portion from his father's wealth and left home, went to a far of place and squandered all his wealth in sinful ways. A severe famine came over the land and he had spent all his wealth. He could not even have the pods for his food that the swine ate. When he came back to his senses, he began to long for his father's love. He decided to return to his father and tell him that he had sinned against God and against him and he was not worthy to be called his son. He thought that he would ask his father to take him to be one among the servants. As for the father, everyday he eagerly waited in hope that his son would repent from his sinful ways and return home. One day, when he saw his son coming at a distance he ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. He asked his servant to put the best robe, a ring on his hand, sandals for his feet and accepted him as his beloved son.
Before I came to the Lord Jesus, I was also very backward in my studies. My conscience would prick me all the time. A vague fear possessed me. A sense of loneliness depressed me. But when I returned to Christ, He neither discarded me nor punished me. He held me in His hands, He pardoned all my sins; washed me in His blood and filled me with divine peace.
Dear friend, our Lord Jesus died on the cross to redeem you, to pardon your sins and shortcomings. When you come back to Him accepting your sins, He will forgive you and will cleanse you by the wonder-working power of His precious blood. He will change you into a new person and bless you. Let not your heart be troubled.
Prayer:
Loving Heavenly Father,
Many a time, I go astray from Your love and care. Because of my sins, I have hurt Your loving and compassionate heart. Forgive me, Father. Accept me once again to be Your loving child. Help me not to go back to my past and sinful life. Grant me the grace to be with You forever in the heavenly abode. In Jesus' compassionate name, I ask.
Amen. |