God Is Waiting For You

543- Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 13:37-39, “ But Absalom fled and went to Talmai the son of Ammihud, king of Geshur. And David mourned for his son every day. 38 So Absalom fled and went to Geshur, and was there three years. 39 And King David longed to go to Absalom. For he had been comforted concerning Amnon, because he was dead. ( 2 Sam 13:37-39) Absalom flees to his grandpa's country for safety. There were no provisions for willful murderers to escape the death penalty in Israel. Ex 21:12-14 says, "He who strikes a man so that he dies shall surely be put to death. 13 "However, if he did not lie in wait, but God delivered him into his hand, then I will appoint for you a place where he may flee. 14 "But if a man acts with premeditation against his neighbor, to kill him by treachery, you shall take him from My altar, that he may die.” David had grieved the loss of his son Amnon, but now found himself longing for his wayward son Absalom every day. But he knew that Absalom would face the death penalty should he return. This longing and mourning for Absalom went on for three years! It makes me wonder about the father who is mentioned in the parable of the prodigal son. How long did he wait for his wayward son to return? We don't know. We just know that the father waited. Let's pick it up in Lu 15:20 "And he (the wayward son) 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. 21 "And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.', But you know the rest of the story the father overjoyed to see his repentant son again, restored everything and threw a huge party. His son who was as good as dead as long as he held onto his sin, was now fully alive! Beloved, don't you see the heart of God in David? Sin separates us from God and carries a death penalty, but God is waiting for you, longing for you to come to repentance and life saving faith in Jesus, who paid the price of your sin! No need to flee anymore! Come to Jesus and live! Father, help us all to see Your deep longing for us, Your wayward children.