Their Field of Pigs

The parable of the prodigal son has had special meaning to our family
over the last many years. We've witnessed nearly every aspect of
this parable work itself out through the life of our daughter, from
the pain of her rebellion to the joy of her return. I've also seen
this as the most common problem faced by parents all over the
world. No matter what country or culture, parents agonize over the
one who has gone astray.

In this parable, we see a rebellious young man demanding what he felt
was rightfully his: "Father, give me my share of the estate" (Luke
15:12). This disrespectful attitude grew until the son no longer
desired to live under his father's roof. He "got together all he
had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in
wild living" (Luke 15:13).

The reason this is such a universally common issue is that we are all
born with the same sinful nature - a nature which holds us in tight
control unless we are utterly transformed by the Spirit of God
through faith in Jesus; "Those who live according to the sinful
nature have their minds set on what that nature desires" (Romans
8:5). At the heart of the sinful nature is a pride which continually
demands what we believe we deserve - this is the root of all sin!

The prodigal son continued to live according to his sinful nature
until he found himself in a field of pigs; "he longed to fill his
stomach with the pods {they} were eating" (Luke 15:16). But God used
this terrible situation to soften the heart of the prodigal son and
bring him to a state of submitted repentance.

Luke 15:17-18
"When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired
men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set
out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned
against heaven and against you.'"

Before the son left home, I'm sure the father tried to provide wise
counsel about the true priorities in life. I'm sure the father
desperately tried every possible method of guiding the son along the
straight and narrow path. I'm also pretty sure the father simply
held his son close and wept. Unfortunately, the lessons the son
needed to learn could only be taught through pigs.

There is nothing more painful than to watch someone you love walk
down a path of obvious pain - nothing rips the heart like watching
your child walk away from God and engage in various forms of "wild
living." But it helps to remember that God loves the prodigal more
than we can hope or imagine. He desires to live with them in an
eternally restored relationship. Our Heavenly Father will never miss
an opportunity to teach the prodigal and draw them near - even as
they may drift and sink - even as they may wallow in their field of pigs.

Have a Great Day!

Steve Troxel
God's Daily Word Ministries

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Scripture references: The Holy Bible: New International Version.
Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society.

God's Daily Word Ministries
P.O. Box 190
Lorena, TX 76655
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Love Enough To Let Go

In the message "Their Field of Pigs" we considered the parable of the
prodigal son and were encouraged to remember that God will use every
tool available (even pigs) to draw His children Home. Our highest
desire for our children must be to see them secure in the arms of
God. Notice that in this parable there's no mention of the father
between the time the son left and when he returned home. The father
appears to have watched his son leave and then simply waited for his return.

The father must have known of his son's condition while away; "this
son of mine was dead and is alive again" (Luke 15:24). There must
have been many reports of the son's activities which were openly
discussed with the rest of the family: "The older brother became
angry...'this son of yours who has squandered your property with
prostitutes comes home'" (Luke 15:28,30). And yet, while the son was
away, the father never once stepped in to "rescue" him.

Was the father lazy and uncaring? Was this simply the product of a
macho culture that didn't show much emotion? Or was this a father
who knew how God's grace could work a difficult situation toward a
wonderful good?

James 1:2-4
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many
kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops
perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be
mature and complete, not lacking anything."

We often reference this passage during times of personal
trial. These verses encourage us to understand the purpose of our
difficult times and to trust God so fully that we actually rejoice
because we know He is using our trials to make us complete.

Many of us understand and at least try to apply these verses in our
own life. But it's an additional step of faith (a very big step) to
trust and apply these verses in the life of others - especially those
we dearly love. If we are to rejoice in our own trials because of
the good being worked within us, there is also a sense in which we
should rejoice in the trials of others.

As painful as it must have been, the father allowed God to complete
His work - even though it meant his son would actually long to eat
with the pigs! And yes, this father loved his son.

When someone we love goes astray, let's continue to lift them up in
prayer; always let them know they are loved and continually speak a
gentle message of truth. Let's NEVER give up hope, but let's allow
God to finish the glorious work He's begun. Let's trust Him above
ALL else and love enough to let go.

Have a Great Day!

Steve Troxel
God's Daily Word Ministries

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Scripture references: The Holy Bible: New International Version.
Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society.

God's Daily Word Ministries
P.O. Box 190
Lorena, TX 76655
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John 8:54-59 - Lesson #93

The most important question we will ever face is, Who is Jesus
Christ? Our answer to this question can affect the way we live for
the rest of our life; but more importantly, our answer will determine
our eternity.

A group of Jews were questioning Jesus about some of His bold
claims. He claimed a higher authority than anything the Jews had
ever known. He claimed to have the authority to grant freedom; "If
the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed" (John 8:36). And
He even claimed to have the authority to grant life; if anyone keeps
My word he shall never see death" (John 8:51). The Jews then asked
the all important question, "Who do You make Yourself out to be?" (John 8:53).

John 8:54-59
"Jesus answered, 'If I honor Myself, My honor is nothing. It is My
Father who honors Me, of whom you say that He is your God. Yet you
have not known Him, but I know Him. And if I say, "I do not know
Him," I shall be a liar like you; but I do know Him and keep His
word. Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and
was glad.' Then the Jews said to Him, 'You are not yet fifty years
old, and have You seen Abraham?' Jesus said to them, 'Most assuredly,
I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.' Then they took up stones to
throw at Him; but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple, going
through the midst of them, and so passed by."

The claims Jesus made about Himself would only be mere words if they
were made by His own authority. But His claims were made valid
through a uniquely personal relationship with the Father. He claimed
a divine authority which had been established before the beginning of
time and seen by Abraham. When Abraham was taking Isaac up the
mountain he saw the day when "God will provide for Himself the lamb
for a burnt offering" (Genesis 22:8). He knew the day would come
when, "In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed"
(Genesis 22:18). Abraham believed the promises of God but could only
see them from afar off (Hebrews 11:13). Though Abraham did not know
the fullness of Jesus, he rejoiced in His appearing.

The Jews dismissed His claim by comparing His age to the more than
two thousand years since Abraham. Jesus responded with a clear
statement of identity, "I AM." He has always existed in the present,
"I, the Lord, am the first; and with the last I am He" (Isaiah
41:4). But Jesus was also claiming the title reserved only for God;
"Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to
you'" (Exodus 3:14). The Jews understood His claim as blasphemy and
sought to stone Him according to their law (Leviticus 24:16).

His claims are clear. He claimed to be more than a man, more than a
prophet. He claimed a unique Sonship with authority over sin and
death. And finally He claimed to be I AM. The Jews understood His
claims and rejected. Now we are called to answer the question Jesus
first asked of Peter: "Who do you say that I am?" (Matthew
16:15). Let's answer by believing His claims, living by His
authority, and rejoicing to see His day.

Have a Great Day!

Steve Troxel
God's Daily Word Ministries

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Scripture references: The New King James Version.
Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by Permission.

God's Daily Word Ministries
P.O. Box 190
Lorena, TX 76655
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