“ Father of the fatherless and a judge and protector of the widows, Is God in His holy habitation. 6God makes a home for the lonely; He leads the prisoners into prosperity, Only the stubborn and rebellious dwell in a parched land.” Psalm 68:5-6 AMP

As I read this verse I am reminded of the time I spent in separation from God the Father! Like the parodical son, I demanded my freedom from the restraints of God’s love and pursued a life of total abandon in what I thought was freedom. That road led from one disastrous situation to another. Life had become unmanageable and full of disappointment. When I finally came to my senses, I was in a place of hopeless despair. How can I get back to God? I have done so many terrible things He will never accept me! 

My perception of God was that He was just waiting to judge me and condemn me for the things I had done. I had a performance-based perception of God. I had never read the Bible so how was I to know that His love transcends our sin? Our verse today tells us that when we are fatherless, He will be there. That is a God I didn’t know. My father left us to raise someone else’s kids so why would God even consider taking me back? A true father never abandons their children, even in the midst of their disobedience or rebellion. There is an interesting verse in Psalms 102.

“Let this be recorded for the generation to come, That a people yet to be created will praise the LORD. 19For He looked down from His holy height [of His sanctuary], From heaven the LORD gazed on the earth, 20To hear the sighing of the prisoner, To set free those who were doomed to death,” Psalm 102:18-20 AMP

God is looking for those who have been lost in the battle! Jesus gave us a perfect vision of God’s intentions for the lost.

“What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them gets lost, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountain and go in search of the one that is lost?” Matthew 18:12 AMP

I was lost and the Father searched for me even in my rebellion. The Scripture is clear that Satan came to lie kill and destroy. Jesus’ mission however was to save that which was lost. The end of our verse describe life outside the Father’s protection as dwelling in a parched land. Spending 20 years in Arabia I can tell you that you cannot live in the desert very long without water. Water is representative of God’s Word. Satan wants us to not drink from the well of God’s life-given Word! That means we must internalize the word and allow it to do its work. Job wrote,

“If they are bound in chains and caught up in a web of trouble, 9he shows them the reason.

He shows them their sins of pride. 10He gets their attention and commands that they turn from evil. 11“If they listen and obey God, they will be blessed with prosperity throughout their lives. All their years will be pleasant. 12But if they refuse to listen to him, they will cross over the river of death, dying from lack of understanding.” Job 36:8-12 NLT

The Scripture tells us that nothing can separate us from His love.” While that is true, we can separate Him from ours by living in our pride. If we are not willing to come into agreement with the truth of God, then we have doomed ourselves and there is nothing that God can do to rescue us. It is tattily our decision! 

I love the last part of this verse about God making a home for us and placing us in a family. The community of others who have tasted of the goodness of His love and grace are now our brothers and sisters. Are there areas of your life where your pride is keeping you form some of the blessings of God? Have you connected with your new family and enjoyed the fruits of His grace? Take time today to search deep inside and see if there is anything within holding you back! Remember…He is looking for you! Have a blessed day, Pastor Ken