But when he came to his senses he said, “How many of my father’s hired workers have food enough to spare, but here I am dying from hunger! I will get up and go to my father and say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired workers.’” So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way from home his father saw him, and his heart went out to him; he ran and hugged his son and kissed him. (Luke 15:17-20 NET)
The troubles this young man went through were not a waste; he came to his senses and realized what he needed to do. He admitted he had been wrong, and that he had sinned against his father and against God. So many do not have the humility to admit they are wrong and continue getting deeper and deeper into trouble and misery. Often Satan pushes them to eventually commit suicide, or to lose their lives in risky, foolish living. But the prodigal son was different; he repented and decided to go return to his father and confess his sin even when it was embarrassing and humiliating.
The young man must have felt that there was a good possibility that his father would reject him, and so he planned to ask if he could be a simple hired worker. But his father saw him when he was still a long way off and ran to meet him. God is the father in this story, and we who have sinned and gone away from God, are the son. The lesson for us is that God is a loving Father; His arms are always open to us. He does not treat us that way we deserve to be treated, but instead treats us with love and compassion. When we turn from our rebellious ways, we find that He is waiting for us—to bless and help us.
Don’t let the devil tell you that there’s no hope for you! It doesn't matter what you have done, or how serious your problems are—Jesus Christ is ready to forgive our sins and be the solution to our problems.
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