Come Home to God

"Return to the LORD your God,
for He is gracious and merciful."

Joel 2:13

The man said to a pastor, "I have drifted away from the Lord, and I don't know how to get back." The pastor said, "I drifted away from God years ago, and I found my way back. You can come back to God the same way." The pastor shared with him verses from the Bible, explaining how God forgives our sins and takes us back. After they had prayed, the man said, "I feel like I have come home to God." He had done just that. The Father always welcomes the return of His wayward children.

The nation of Judah had turned away from God. A plague of locusts had destroyed the land. The people were in trouble. In their desperation, they turned back to God. The prophet Joel proclaimed a message of God's grace. He invited them to return unto the Lord, knowing that God is gracious and merciful. The same God is forever gracious, full of loving kindness and tender mercy. When we return unto the Lord, He will never turn us away. He not only receives us, but He does so graciously. They came home to God, so can we.

Have you wandered away from God? Most of us have, at one time or another. We go our own way, trying to live a life without God. When we see our failure, it's time to come home to God. Mercy and grace welcomes us back to the Father's house. We are welcomed in the arms of love. We discover God's mercy and grace anew. We realize our mistake, but far more than that, we realize again the goodness of God. When we experience the joy of coming home to God, we want others to have the same wonderful experience. Do you know someone who needs to come home to God? Encourage them in a gracious way, that God cares about them. Share your own experience of coming home to God.

Prayer: Father, we praise You for the grace and mercy of receiving us. Your grace is greater than all of our sin. Your mercy is abundant and free. We come home to You, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.