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Scripture for the day: Psalm 116:4 "Then I called upon the name of the Lord; 'O Lord, I implore you, deliver my soul!'"
Thought for the day: We understand that getting the Word out (preaching) is necessary to salvation - "how shall they hear unless someone tells them?" And we further understand that a message designed to go straight to the heart of mankind is necessary before any real conviction of want or need will be experienced. Following that work of the Holy Spirit, there comes a desire for God. Praise God He never stops working on us to bring us to that point.
But then there comes the need for communication on our part. It's not enough for us to know He's there and wants us to be saved from the awful bonds of sin, we must respond to that with more than just a nod of agreement. We must actually reach out and take what He offers. Suppose I could hold in my hand a precious gift, something of great value, and I were to say to you, "This is a gift for you." How are you going to possess that gift? You must take the next step of reaching out to me and taking it. It's the same with God's free gift of salvation.
Go back to the story of the prodigal son we looked at yesterday. The father waited, perhaps for several years, for his son to come to his senses and return home. I can just imagine how many times he had looked down that dusty lane leading to the far country where he knew his lost son had made his home, hoping against hope that he'd see the figure of that long-lost loved one coming over the brow of the hill. Day after day, week after week, he'd go out in the evening to see if perhaps this would be the day his son would return. Night after night he'd leave a candle burning in the window just in case the boy returned in the night. Morning after morning he'd look at the boy's sleeping place with the vain hope he'd somehow crept in during the night. But day after day and night after night he'd been disappointed.
The father had done everything he could to bring about reconciliation with his lost son. He’d set his heart on forgiveness, opened the door, set a candle in the window to show the way through the darkness, and looked diligently for the slightest trace of evidence that his prodigal had turned toward home.
Finally, one day, as he glances down the lane for the thousandth time, he sees the silhouette he's been hoping for all this time. He runs to his son and hugs his neck. But look at what it took for that to happen. The son had to make the first move. He had to not only recognize his lost state and desire a change, he also had to make up his mind to go home and then take a single step in that direction. The forgiveness had always been there; restoration had never been more than a moment away. The only thing needed was that he communicate to his father his desire for forgiveness. We call that prayer. And the Bible tells us that when we sincerely seek God for deliverance, He will in no wise cast us out. The prodigal wasn't sure; we can be. God has promised deliverance for those who place their trust in Him.
Is there trouble in paradise today? Are you facing things from which you need deliverance? God has promised to answer your call for help. He has promised to deliver you (remember, His idea of deliverance doesn't always look exactly like our idea). The prayer of the sincere believer never goes unanswered. The greatest prayer we can pray is for deliverance for our soul, knowing that it is answered instantly by a loving Father who's been looking for our return for many days and nights.
Now go take on your world. - Bill