The message of the song Coming Back Home by Downhere is implicit in its title. I’m sure it doesn’t apply to you so you don’t need to listen to it. Obviously you’ve never gone off the rails and got caught up in this world and neglected your relationship with the Lord. There’s no way you’ve ever let Satan trap you in some sin that caused you to look up later and see you were a long way from home.

On the other hand, there may be just one or two of us who have felt remorse for how we have neglected and even mistreated Jesus after all He has done for us. Like the lyrics in the song says, “I’ve been astray for much too long – Knowing I’ve done you so much wrong – Just makes me feel that much more alone – But in my sadness I hear you calling”.

If you can identify with those words add Luke 15:11-24 to your bible reading today and listen to Coming Back Home by Downhere. Then, be humble and grateful that we have such a merciful, loving God who is slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness.

Luke 15:11-24

And He said, “A man had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the estate that is coming to me.’ And so he divided his wealth between them. And not many days later, the younger son gathered everything together and went on a journey to a distant country, and there he squandered his estate in wild living. Now when he had spent everything, a severe famine occurred in that country, and he began doing without. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed pigs. And he longed to have his fill of the carob pods that the pigs were eating, and no one was giving him anything. But when he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired laborers have more than enough bread, but I am dying here from hunger! I will set out and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me as one of your hired laborers.”’ So he set out and came to his father. But when he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet; and bring the fattened calf, slaughter it, and let’s eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’ And they began to celebrate.