Pursued

Several years ago, I sponsored a lunch for five men who on top of being believers had one other thing in common.  They had cheated on their wives.  Before sitting down with these guys, my wife reached out to their respective wives with a request.  List three things that you would love to receive from your man.  During the lunch, I presented the results to the men anonymously.  Of course, the men started guessing which one was their wife.  By the way, they mostly were wrong.  But, here is the point.  There was one common request that came from the five wives.  “I want to be pursued.  You pursued the other woman…pursue me.”  Each of the men resigned themselves to the fact that their wives were right.  They had stopped pursuing them.  Let me tell you something that is awesome, our God pursues us.  He wants you to experience His love, and he greatly enjoys receiving our love.

2 Chronicles 16:9 states, ⁹ For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.  He pursues us not to condemn us but to strengthen us.

We all can remember the beautiful story in Luke 15 regarding the Prodigal Son.  The son requested and received his inheritance.  Then, he set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. He ended up so destitute to the point that he was starving.  ¹⁶ He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.  ¹⁷ ‘When he came to his senses… ²⁰ he got up and went to his father (expecting condemnation and judgment and at least a severe reprimand, but man was he shocked!) 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 round him and kissed him. ²¹ ‘The son said to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.” ²² ‘But the father said to his servants, “Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.” So, they began to celebrate.

Guys, this is our God’s behavior…while the prodigal son was a long way off, his father saw him and ran to him!  This is not a sweet, provocative story of lore.  It’s the truth for you and me daily.  However, we as flawed man cannot grasp the completeness of His salvation.  When Jesus stated on the cross, “it is finished!”, it is complete.  He is proactively offering a gift of eternal life with complete forgiveness past, present and future.  And, His arms are continuously extended towards us!  Oh, by the way, because of our sinfulness, there is nothing we can do but receive it. We cannot earn it.  Ephesians 2:8&9 are mind blowing verses, ⁸ For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – ⁹ not by works, so that no one can boast.

Okay, you self-condemners.  Get over it!  Your father is running toward you and wants to share his love with you.  Revelations 3:20 states it clearly, ²⁰ Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. Amen!