God’s Tender Love
God's love for man has been apparent ever since Creation. In the history of the ten tribes of Israel, however, the deliberate rebellion of men and the long-suffering, tender love of God are displayed graphically.
It is difficult for God to forget or write off even the willful sinner. Why does God love His erring children so much? They are His creation, His handiwork. He has given each one a living soul, a personality, and the potential for fellowship with Him for time and eternity. He knows each one will either enjoy forever the glories of heaven or suffer the horrors of hell. Especially sad is the condition of one who has known the Lord and walked with Him for a time, then later turns from God and lives in sin.
Hosea 11:1 says, "When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt." Another translation of verse 2 says, "But the more I called Israel, the further they went from me. They sacrificed to the Baals and they burned incense to images." Most prodigals can tell you, if they will, that God called them when they were young. In spite of God's love, they were drawn to idols, things they saw in the world that were attractive to them, and they forsook the way of God.
The foremost sin of Israel was idolatry. First the people worshiped the golden calves, then Baal. There is something about idolatry, the fleshly adoration of earthly and worldly things that is progressive and degenerative. God knows this, and He sends His servants, providential circumstances, miracles, and repeatedly His Spirit to remind, call, and plead with His erring children.
Israel's descent into idolatry may also be likened to the time when spirituality in the church of God hadsso deteriorated that a few faithful people see it necessary to withdraw from the backslidden body in order to continue on the old ground and true foundation. The old body may have for a time, like Israel, retained considerable spiritual truth and some members who had not bowed the knee to Baal. But because there was no real turning back to God, there was, like for Israel, a continued decline and, at last, a fall from grace.
After being torn and smitten, the people of Israel considered returning to the Lord. They seemed to realize that He would speedily heal and bless them. But Hosea 6:4 says their good resolves were like fog and dew. When the sun came up with a little heat, their resolves melted away. Prodigals in our day who want to return to the Lord face a similar test of their resolve.
How do we relate to our prodigals?
Is our love for them warm?
Do we frequently pray for them?
Does our patience soon expire if our prayers are not answered in a short time?
Is the list of prodigals we pray for quite short?
Do we conclude that no response means our prayers are useless?
May we pray without ceasing. God would want us to be a help to any sinner who is searching for salvation.
It seems that, in many instances, when a prodigal returns, there are those who have faithfully prayed for them. Their love and concern have been accompanied by words and deeds of thoughtfulness. The Good Shepherd made strong efforts to rescue the lost sheep. This work is often difficult and slow. God will reward us even if we see no results in this life.
In focusing on God's love to His people in the Old Testament, we see that God wooed a wayward and straying people. The strength and depth of God's love are portrayed in many instances. However, the fullness and beauty of God's love are even more touching and heartwarming when we note how loving He is to His faithful children. The promises of His fatherly and tender care that stand unalterable even in our time elicit a feeling of devotion, thankfulness, and indebtedness in every sincere follower of Christ. In 2 Corinthians 6:18 we read, "And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty." The implications inherent in such a commitment from One who spoke the world into existence are overwhelming.
Which child of God has found a limit to God's love and care?
Who has found that His grace is not sufficient?
Has anyone who turned to Him in humble penitence found Him to be unforgiving?
May we, as King David, experience and remember the "multitude of I God's tender mercies" (Psalm. 51:1) and consequently be a vessel used to help the needy souls around us.
