Reading: Luke 15, Psalm 37:17

For the arms of the wicked shall be broken, But the LORD upholds the righteous.

In Luke 15, we find the parable of the prodigal son. Though he was born into a loving Jewish home and raised in privilege, there came a point where he felt he needed something else. Undoubtedly, the religious duties and social obligations of being part of a prominent family-ranching business felt constricting to this curious and bored young man.

So, one day, he demanded an advance on his inheritance, left his family, and traveled to Las Vegas to explore the nightlife. Well, not Las Vegas – but you get the idea. He was looking to find himself. The Bible says he spent it all on pleasures of the flesh and riotous living. When his money ran out, so did his new “friends.” Just then, an economic downturn set in, and work became scarce. To survive, he took a job from a pagan farmer, feeding his pigs and living off the leftovers. This privileged and reckless Jewish boy was only then ready to face the reality of what he had done to himself.

The Bible puts it this way, “and when he came to himself…” (V. 17). His search for significance and identity in the world away from his home left him empty. Finally, he saw what he had in his father’s house was far better than what he became chasing his flesh's appetites. This was the beginning of his transformation. He realized he had sinned against God, his family, and himself and began the journey home. The real superstar of the story is the wounded, patient, and compassionate father who had been waiting for the day his son would remember who he was and return to his true heritage and identity.

This story resonates with every heart. At one time or another, we all look for our identity apart from God. We explore all substitutes, searching for the purpose and peace that can only come by living in union with our heavenly Father. But our highest self and truest purpose will never be discovered indulging our flesh. Eventually, the highs are no longer satisfying, the hangovers are more punishing, the physical pleasures are dulled, the money runs out, and the friends walk away. We wind up looking in the mirror at a face that has aged, a life that is empty, and a soul still searching for meaning.

It is Satan who revels in this. He is the invisible betrayer whispering in our ears that we are being held back in life by serving God, all the while suggesting all sorts of attractive and promising alternatives. We enter his trap when we believe his lies. The initial rush that comes from indulging in sensual delights blinds us to the fact that we are actually losing our freedom. But the story is not necessarily over.

Psalm 37 promises, “The arms of the wicked shall be broken.” One translation reads, “The power and strength of the evil one shall be demolished…”. The Lord delights in awakening his wayward children and destroying the enemy traps in which they have been caught. By allowing us to feel the pain of our choices, He opens our eyes to finally see the deception we have believed that put us there. He gently whispers to our souls: “This is not who you are. Come home. I am waiting…”.

Now, get up, shake off the remnants of the pigpen, and begin the journey home.

As you meditate on this today, ask the Holy Spirit to awaken you to any lies you have believed and the traps they have caused in your life.

In your journal, write a simple prayer confessing your sin and accepting His love, forgiveness, and restoration. Ask the Lord to demolish the enemy's power and command these traps to be broken in your life.
Finally, invite Jesus to remind you of your true identity in Christ. Ask Him to show you a picture of your future living for God without these traps and vices.
Write down what He shows you. Then, get up, shake off the pigpen, and begin the journey home.

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