Aug 09 2008
God Believes in You
by Max Lucado
The tale involves a wealthy father and a willful son. The boy prematurely takes his inheritance and moves to Las Vegas and there wastes the money on slot machines and call girls. As fast as you can say “blackjack,” he is broke. Too proud to go home, he gets a job sweeping horse stables at the racetrack. When he finds himself tasting some of their oats and thinking, H’m, a dash of salt and this wouldn’t be too bad, he realizes enough is enough. It’s time to go home. The gardener at his father’s house does better than this. So off he goes, rehearsing his repentance speech every step of the way.
But the father has other ideas. He “had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.”
We don’t expect such a response. We expect crossed arms and a furrowed brow. At best a guarded handshake. At least a stern lecture. But the father gives none of these. Instead he gives gifts. “Bring out the best robe … a ring … sandals.… And bring the fatted calf … and let us eat and be merry” (Luke 15:11–23 NKJV). Robe, sandals, calf, and … Did you see it? A ring.
Before the boy has a chance to wash his hands, he has a ring to put on his finger. In Christ’s day rings were more than gifts; they were symbols of delegated sovereignty. The bearer of the ring could speak on behalf of the giver. It was used to press a seal into soft wax to validate a transaction. The one who wore the ring conducted business in the name of the one who gave it.
Would you have done this? Would you have given this prodigal son power-of-attorney privileges over your affairs? Would you have entrusted him with a credit card? Would you have given him this ring?
Before you start questioning the wisdom of the father, remember, in this story you are the boy. When you came home to God, you were given authority to conduct business in your heavenly Father’s name.
When you speak truth, you are God’s ambassador.
As you steward the money he gives, you are his business manager.
When you declare forgiveness, you are his priest.
As you stir the healing of the body or the soul, you are his physician.
And when you pray, he listens to you as a father listens to a son. You have a voice in the household of God. He has given you his ring.
God believes in you. And, I wonder, could you take some of the belief that he has in you and share it with someone else?
You and I have the privilege to do for others what God does for us. How do we show people that we believe in them?
Do not withhold encouragement from the discouraged. Do not keep affirmation from the beaten down! Speak words that make people stronger. Believe in them as God has believed in you.
THANK you for sharing this information. I THANK God for his unconditional love in my life and pray he will use me to be a BLESSING to others.
Dear Max:
Great illustration and developement. I am writting a book, my first and I will be done soon. Where should I start in getting it published?
Greg P
Seymour, IN.
God is so wonderful, and I believe we all relish in His grace, mercy and His LOVE, but don’t always remember to dish it out when we are dealing with others(especially when we think they’ve done wrong). So thank you for the reminder to Love like God!
Thank you for the reminder that we are here to encourage each other, even when we think that person is in the wrong.
Thank-you for this reminder. Really needed it! Yesterday (late afternoon) some thing happened with 2 people I really care about. I was under attack & being accussed of things I know I didn’t do or say. I know who has instigated it, but, I am now under realization that the person who was verbally attacking me & accussing me of these things, believes what this other person has said. I don’t even talk to that other person. But, still this lady has caused a terrible friction between me & my mother in law. Words were exchanged & I left feeling very hurt, betrayed & alone. I know I havn’t done what I am being accussed nor of what I am being accussed of saying. I have been working so hard to make things better for my husband & I & still, it seems that my efforts are in vain. My mother inlaw said things to me that I know was never said or done by me. But, she insisted that I was lying & that her sweet God in heaven knows that she’s speaking the truth. I said you know My Father in heaven knows also that I am speaking the truth & I havn’t done or said anything to you or about you. Anyway, that relationship is no longer. I told her she would not have to see me nor would I come to her nor step foot into her home. I am very angry about this other person causing all of this. She likes to gossip & she instigates trouble between people. My mother inlaw also happens to be this other person’s Aunt. I feel betrayed, abused & beaten down. I was told I should have stayed & talked things thru or at least listen to the rest of the commplaints/accussations being brought against me. I said that I would not stay & be bashed & I did not have to be there for this inquisition being held against me. the only other person who could defend me was also against me, ny husband. This is his mother, so I understand his position. I also was not allowed to contact my husband’s aunt who could clear at least the majority of what I was being accussed of. I feel very alone. I was under attack with no-one there to deffend me or step in for me. I know that we are here to Love as Jesus Loves & to be God’s phrophets & that we are to forgive as we have been forgiven. I’m having a terrible time at this point & time doing this. I have no close family of my own living close to me. My Sister is the closet ( 4 1/2 hr drive). I want tobe with my family. I want tobe the Christian Girl/Daughter that Jesus created for me tobe. I don’t feel in my heart of hearts that it can happen where I am now. I feel all alone. I sometimes have thoughts that I shouldn’t have. I won’t do anyof those things, I don’t like pain. I want to just run & be with my Jesus, just the 2 of talking for how ever long it takes to know & feel & believe that I am someone of worth & that I too am valueble. I don’t feel any of these things. I don’t feel as though I count nor does what comes from my count. Someone, please, help me!!! What do I do?? I Love Jesus & Father God with ALL my heart!!! I really do!!! Please is there anyone who can guide me/help me?
To often I find myself looking at this story through the eyes of the father when I should remember that I am the son in it. Thank you for reminding me of that.
Dorothy I hope and pray you are getting through this hard time. You are precious and valuable to God and He knows what you have and haven’t said. Is there a Pastor or Christian worker in your local church you can talk to?
Thank-you Tammy for your kind words. No there is not anyone to talk too here. I don’t go to any of the Churches here. I am in a situation where I am very un-happy. My husband has major health problems & is verbally abusive. He hasn’t hit me in 6 years(which I am very thank-ful for). He has said some things to me that have really beaten my inner Spirit way down. I am contiplating leaving & going to my mother’s. She & Her husband are so willing for me tobe there with them. they go to Church every Sabbath. I feel in my heart that -that maybe the only thing I can do. It’s good between my husband & I for a couple days & then he reverts back to his mean self. He says he prays hard for me. I havn’t prayed for me. I don’t feel worthy. I wish I could decide what I should do. I don’t want to hurt him, because, leaving him would hurt him terribly, but, I don’t want to hurt emotionally or spiritually anymore. Maybe I am lost forever. I don’t know. I only know that I feel very alone & very lonely & very lost. I want tobe with my Mama. Sounds dumb for a 45 year old to say, but, That is how I feel. It’s just taking that step. I’m scared. I know that I can’t stay here in Texas, because, I know he will come looking for me & I don’t want to put my sister & her family thru this or my brothers & their families. Mama lives in New York State. I have some money saved up that I was going to use for Vacation next week, but, I feel & think that I should use it to go to Mama’s. I am going to leave everything of material value behind & just take my pictures & clothes. I need to pray about this, but, I don’t know where to start.