Page 3 - June 2025 - Truth & Tidings

heep wander. And God’s Word says ones. He promises to “revive the spirit of
that even His redeemed people are the humble, and to revive the heart of the
Slike sheep (Psa 100:3). Our wander- contrite” (Isa 57:15 KJV).
ing can carry on for weeks, months, or Third, a look away is essential. The
even years before we realize just how far devil places his list of lies front and center.
away we are from the Lord. Some of us There’s no way back. We’ve run too far.
get into the far country faster than others. We’ve sinned too much or too severely.
But many steps, many wrong steps, have We’ve hurt too many people, especially the
to be taken to get there. Thankfully, the ones who love us most. Look away from his
way back doesn’t have to take as long. lies and immerse yourself in truth. God’s
Why? Because the Good Shepherd is out Word says there is forgiveness for every sin
there searching for His lost sheep, ready to (1Jn 1:9) and a way back for every wanderer
bring them home. Admittedly, there needs (Psa 51:12; Gal 6:1).
to be cooperation with the Shepherd; we
must stop our straying, listen to His voice The most important look is a look up. Like
and return to Him. After all, God wants the Prodigal Son, we need to realize that
wanderers to become worshippers again. our sin is first “against heaven” and con-
Perhaps all of us have had to say more fess it openly before the Lord. And it’s not
than once in our lives, with both humil- enough to admit our sin; we must abandon
ity and joy, “He restores my soul.” The it (Pro 28:13; Isa 55:7) to be restored to full
experience of the restoring work of God fellowship with God.
is powerful, loving, and usually involves Finally, having looked in these other
five looks. First, we must look around, like directions, we can look ahead. We can take
the Prodigal Son did, who faced the hard that first step forward, trusting that the
facts about his condition – he was fam- Lord will give us the strength to do so. The
ished, filthy, forsaken and feeding pigs. Prodigal not only resolved, “I will arise
Look around. Am I enjoying fellowship and go,” but he actually went. He took that
with God and His people? Is God’s Word hard first step, knowing he would have
my daily diet and delight? Do I have joy to face his father and family again. And
and peace in my soul? If not, I have strayed when we do, the One who restores us will
from my Shepherd. lead the way to “paths of righteousness for
Second, we must look back. Although his name’s sake” (Psa 23:3). Scripture can
the Lord doesn’t want us to dwell on the become sweet again. Prayer can become
past, we must see and admit the truth precious again. Even relationships, in time,
about our sin and waywardness so as not can be healthy again. For our God special-
to repeat it. An honest look back is the izes not only in rescuing lost sinners but
only pathway for a healthy step forward. in restoring saved ones! Praise His glori-
God restores honest hearts, not dismissive ous name!

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