Daily devotional, Dec 6, 2023 Homecoming
"The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance." 2 Peter 3:9
The yuletide season will always be a joyous time of homecoming. OFWs usually spend their Christmas vacation as balikbayans, and those working or studying in far cities within the country celebrate the holidays by returning to their hometown. Their families eagerly wait in anticipation to celebrate with them, and vice versa.
Like the loved ones who are excited for the impending homecoming of their family member, the Lord expectantly waits for us to return to Him. Weary as we are from life’s challenges, consequences of our sinning, or plainly living a life away from the Lord’s wings, He is still continuously calling us to return to Him:
"Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!"
Isaiah 30:18
Much like the story of the prodigal son, our Heavenly Father is willing to forget about every wrong thing we have done. He promises to hear out our side of the story, and our promise of repentance:
"But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him."
Luke 15:20
The same message is echoed in Isaiah chapter 30, where the Lord said that repentance is key in living in God’s presence:
"This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: 'In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.'" Isaiah 30:15
The chapter spoke of the Israelites back when they relied on their own strength, and have blatantly ignored God as they went about their lives. Fast forward to the present time, these verses still ring true for us as we leaned on idols of self-sufficiency and forget that we have a sovereign God who longs to guide us and shower us with His grace:
"'Woe to the obstinate children,' declares the Lord, 'to those who carry out plans that are not mine, forming an alliance, but not by my Spirit, heaping sin upon sin;who go down to Egypt without consulting me; who look for help to Pharaoh’s protection, to Egypt’s shade for refuge. But Pharaoh’s protection will be to your shame, Egypt’s shade will bring you disgrace." Isaiah 30:1-3
Once we come to our senses and make our homecoming to God’s heart, the Lord promises to receive us with grace and mercy. That He will never leave us, and will even carry us through life challenges, and direct our paths:
"You will weep no more. How gracious he will be when you cry for help! As soon as he hears, he will answer you. Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them. Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, 'This is the way; walk in it.'” Isaiah 30:19-21
If you are living away from the Lord, make that homecoming by nurturing a relationship with the him. Pray earnestly, confess your sins, repent and learn more about Him by studying the bible and worshipping Him. Delay no more. He is waiting for you with open arms.
Thank you for reading through our devotional today. I invite you to ponder on Isaiah 30:19-26 and Luke 15:11-32 to dig deeper on today’s topic.
Reflection Question: Do you need to come home to the Lord? What is preventing you from doing so?
Conversation with the Lord: Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for inviting me still to come to you in spite of my sins and failures. Give me the confidence to totally surrender everything to you in repentance, so that you could fully restore me in your love and peace. Amen.