Many years ago I wrote a series of messages from the parable of the prodigal son. In this series we saw a rebellious son who took his inheritance, squandered it on wild living, and ended up eating with the pigs. But when the son returned home, the father met him with open arms: “Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found” (Luke 15:23-24).
I repeat this series every couple years and it is consistently the most popular set of messages – at least judging by the responses I receive. One of the reasons is that these messages relate so well with people from all over the world. It seems nearly everyone either has a prodigal child, has been a prodigal themselves, or knows someone who is struggling with a prodigal. The other reason is that this series was always very personal.
Those of you who have been with this ministry for many years know of the challenges we faced with our eldest daughter, Stacey. There are a few of you who prayed with me sixteen years ago when Stacey ran away from home and I was frantically looking for her, wondering if she was alive or dead. Over the years, we have walked with Stacey through many poor choices which led to several years in jail and drug rehabilitation facilities. Along the way, I learned things about tough love, when your child has to eat with the pigs; but I was also taught some profound lessons about trusting God’s faithfulness and about NEVER giving up hope.
In many ways, the way God worked with the nation of Israel in the Old Testament is the way He works with individuals today. The people of Israel, as a nation, had rebelled against God. They had made many poor choices, deciding to follow their own way instead of the path established by God. God sent the prophet Joel to call the people back to a heart of worship and to warn them of the discipline which would come if they continued to walk away from God. But in this grave warning, God also promised that a day of restoration would come.
Joel 2:25
“I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten – the great locust and the young locust, the other locusts and the locust swarm – my great army that I sent among you.”
How many of us, as we look back, can see lost years – years the locusts have eaten? These represent the times of our poor choices, our wandering from God, or the poor choices of others which affect our life. Looking back can be painful! But the promise of God is that as we turn our heart back to Him, He will repay (or restore) what has been lost. Of course, the restoration may look different than we expect, but God promises to restore! Perhaps the true restoration is in the restored relationship with God.
Stacey’s journey has been difficult and I know she would change many things if she could. But she has also seen God’s faithfulness in a very real way. Early last year Stacey met a wonderful young man, they married in July, and together have been building a marriage honoring to God. It has been a great joy to watch them work through the issues of marriage and learn what it means to keep Christ at the very center. I am very proud of them!!
Last week we had the privilege of being at the hospital as Stacey gave birth to a beautiful little girl, Isis Grace. Her birth was covered in prayer and we are confident she will be raised in a family who loves the Lord.
Parents, NEVER give up! Prodigals, young and old, turn your heart back to God. Our God is forever faithful and has demonstrated over and over that He loves us, longs for our return, and is, without question, a God of complete restoration.
Have a Christ Centered Day!
Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries
**** Reading Plan ****
Jul 1 2 Kings 18:13-19:37; Acts 21:1-17; Psalm 149:1-9; Proverbs 18:8
716.05 Run Miles in 2013 : Goal 1509 miles
800.70 Bike Miles in 2013
I’m a prodigal who returned shamed and disgraced, (having literally lost everything; marriage, job, talents, etc); back to the Lord after 14yrs. I made a wrong choice thinking I could do it alone, and I fell right in the hands of satan and he had his time with me. I was his slave during all those years. When I came back I never thought the Lord would still want me. I thought He had casted me out for good. For 4 months I just laid there, alone, in a depressed state and with no friends. Reading my bible everyday and earnestly seeking the face of the Lord was what helped me. God gave me strength to pull through and beat the depression. Slowly I recovered till I went back to church. For a few yrs that I’ve been back and after what I’ve witnessed, I can readily testify that I know, that “He IS the God of Restoration”. Thank you GDW Ministries for instilling courage, hope and inspiration to me and all those prodigals who are thinking about bouncing back home.
I have not been on your website for awhile, and I am sending a HUGE praise to our glorious God for the work He is doing in your family’s life. I remember a friend of mine who forwarded me one of your daily devotionals when I hit bottom as a parent. I had recently found out that my daughter was a heroin addict, had left her family and was living on the streets. God brought me to your website, and saw the struggles you were going through as well. My daughter has been clean now for over 6 years, and I see God’s hand in her getting clean and sober. He truly is amazing, and has taught me that no matter what, NEVER GIVE UP! He will answer your prayers in His way, in His time.
Thank you for reaching out to those of us who know God’s word, and those of us searching for answers.
Greetings. I am very blessed to be back in touch with GDW ministries. It was wonderful to read of Stacey’s recovery, and that the Lord continues to use you, Steve, as He has all the years. God bless us all, in all ways, and always! Beautiful baby, to God be the glory!!!
Years ago, when my kids were little, I began reading these daily devotionals. They have brought such hope and encouragement to my soul through the years. I remember reading about Stacey and grieving and praying with everyone for her. Never could I have imagined how much your testimony of God’s long road to redemption would mean to me personally years later, as my own child is walking as a prodigal. Thank you for sharing and allowing God to use you to prepare my heart with hope and truth well in advance of when I needed it.
I am so blessed to hear that these messages have been an encouragement. This ministry has been a major part of my life for the last 20 years. Notice that this message about Stacey is four years old. She now has another baby, a little boy, and lives just a few miles away. She and her husband are building a Christ centered marriage and she is an awesome mother. I guess my main message through the prodigal times is to draw ever closer to God, continue to have open communication with your child, and NEVER give up!!
We have friend who is having the same trial with their daughter as you had with Stacey. Is Stacey’s story anywhere on your website that I could share? Thank you. Elaine
I used to have all of the messages about Stacey gathered in one place but when I upgraded the website I lost all the links. This is a good idea to try to collect these together. Her story is very encouraging and would be a good one for people to read in full.