“Therefore the Lord longs to be gracious to you, and therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you. For the Lord is a God of justice; How blessed are all those who long for Him!” (Isaiah 30:15 NASB)
I received a comment in response to Monday’s posting, “Even When Life Has You imprisoned…” The person who sent the comment started out by saying, “I reached your blog site by accident.” He went on to write, “I have been imprisoned by sin so long that I don’t think I can get back on the course as you suggested Monday. I once was in the church, once confessed Christ truly, but I was led astray by the things of this world.” With no valid email address to respond to this individual, I decided to use today’s meditation to respond to him specifically, in hopes that he would go back to the blog and hear my response. However, let me assure you, guarantee you that you will find something specifically for you too in today’s message.
To the young man, first I want to tell you, it was no accident. There was divine purpose. I want you to know that you ended up on the blog because the Lord was orchestrating an opportunity to let you know, just like the prodigal son who came back home after straying, and was received with compassion and a celebration, you can come back to the church as well. You just need to put away pride, push away any outside interference, and proceed to repent to God, seek and find His forgiveness, and realizing that He will cleanse you of all unrighteousness. I want you to know that the Lord intended for you to hear these words: “Son! You are welcome! I am already rejoicing in your return! No matter how much you have done, my mercy is greater than your misadventures and misdeeds, and more than enough to give you a new start!” My advice is, “Don’t wait! Don’t hesitate!” “Don’t concentrate on whether this could truly be! No, act on the advice that is being sent to you. Believe that the Lord is always working things out for good. Listen! There is a better life ahead for you! Again, you did not get to the blog by accident! It was no accident! God has some plans for you! Yes! He does!
Now, for the rest of us, the Lord wants to tell us something, and it is not by accident. We have to be ready to be guided by the Holy Spirit as He will bring to us just the right words to help a person who needs to hear a message of hope come out of your mouth at a specific time, more than once I might add. We have to be willing, bold too, to use what we believe to help find the lost who need to come home. Just saying, “I’ll pray for you” is not enough. Use some of what the Lord has planted in you, so that you can communicate to someone who needs to know, our God is a God of additional chances. Notice I did not say, “second chances.” I know for a fact I have had more than a second chance to get it right. I know for a fact that the Lord is still not through with me, nor you, yet! Now, it’s your turn to listen my friend! Take advantage of being connected to the True Vine, Jesus, and help bear fruit for the kingdom! Somebody’s running to the Lord or returning to the Lord is just waiting for you to act as a faithful servant and witness to the truth that will set them free and be saved from the penalty or the power of sin. We have a responsibility.
Let me close by speaking to the man who inadvertently ended up on the Mark Writes blog. I want you to know that this was no accident. I’m sure that before I even thought about writing these meditations daily, the Lord, He had you in mind and He had already pre-determined to use me to communicate with you. It was no accident. It was Divine intervention. Your Heavenly Father has seen you from afar and He is filled with compassion for you!
I hope to hear from you again. As a matter of fact, you can email me directly at maki_designs@yahoo.com. I would love to hear from you my brother! Rejoice! You might well do the same! For I am going to be optimistic and celebrate right now!
To all reading, let me close as usual by saying, “Be blessed!”
“But when he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired laborers have more than enough bread, but I am dying here from hunger! I will set out and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me as one of your hired laborers.”’ So, he set out and came to his father. But when he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him and put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet; and bring the fattened calf, slaughter it, and let’s eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’ And they began to celebrate.’” (Luke 15:17-24 NASB)
Mark L. King