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God Gives Us Grace to Give Grace
"And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him" (Luke 15:20).
The preceding passage featured a phrase which tugged at my heart about the Father's indescribable compassion, eagerness, and love: "But while he was still a long way off..."
The Father didn't stop looking for the prodigal. And even at a long distance, he saw the son returning after so long.
Be encouraged: Our Heavenly Father sees the lost friend or loved one for whom you are praying so desperately. He sees that colleague whose only reference to Jesus Christ is when he swears. He sees that cousin who was hurt by a Judas and mistakenly rejected Christ instead. The Heavenly Father sees. He sees you. He loves you. And He loves your loved ones.
Are you running to Him or away from Him today? Oh, what compassion, restoration, salvation, love, and joy are found with the Father! Run to Him and lovingly urge your lost loved ones to run to Him with you. Today.
But "so-and-so" is too far gone, you may feel tempted to say. The enemy wants you to doubt so you'll stop praying and loving them to Jesus. But do not give up. Look up and give your cares to Him: "casting all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares about you [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully]" (I Peter 5:7). But don't give up.
Today, choose to believe Jesus Christ. Pray for the lost. Pray for the found. And share the hope of Christ. God gives us grace to give grace as we wait for others to know or grow in Him. Yes, God gives grace to give grace.
Stacie Ruth Stoelting Hudzinski
P.S. Is this type of content new to you? Learn more about how to know Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord by reading our testimony by clicking here.
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