There's Room At the Cross For You

# 188 - Today's Du-votional comes from: 1Sa 14:21-23, “Moreover the Hebrews who were with the Philistines before that time, who went up with them into the camp from the surrounding country, they also joined the Israelites who were with Saul and Jonathan. 22 Likewise all the men of Israel who had hidden in the mountains of Ephraim, when they heard that the Philistines fled, they also followed hard after them in the battle. 23 So the LORD saved Israel that day, and the battle shifted to Beth Aven. ( 1 Sam 14:21-23) Saul and his rag tag army chase after the Philistines, the Hebrews who had been co-existing with the Philistines also join in the rout. Even those who had been hiding in the caves of the mountains came out of their holes to join in the victory. As we shall see, much spoil is taken in this battle and these compromising cowards are allowed to share in it all. There's a part of me that doesn't like this arrangement They were on the sidelines and worse yet in camp with the enemy! But now, when things are looking good, they decide to return to the Lord. Yes, there's a part of me, my forgetful, sinful flesh that is rankled by this. But I forget that I once lived a life of compromise with the enemy. I forget those times that I was content with staying on the sidelines. Lord have mercy on me. Lord, give me the heart of the Prodigal's father, who ran to greet his compromising son, when he returned to the Lord. "And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. (Luke 15:20) Lord give me the heart of the very angels in heaven who rejoice when one sinner comes to repentance. "I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance. (Luke 15:7) Are you living in compromise with the world? Are you standing on the sidelines? Take hope from this incident. As the song says, there's room at the cross for you. Come. Return to the Lord and enjoy the spoils of salvation in His name.