Matthew Henry said of the lost son in Luke 15 that he was “given up for lost.” Many of us know someone just like that. It seemed to be the case for Uncle Homer, yet I felt God prompting me to go.
I was afraid to go, but I knew the Lord wanted me to go. Even if he cursed me and ran me out of the room. God had told me to go.
Since Uncle Homer had been placed in the hospital to remove a tumor in his abdomen that was the size of a football, me and my three children prayed for his salvation. We prayed at every meal and we prayed at bedtime. Four times a day for two weeks. And I knew I had to go.
Things looked bad for him. Then everything went from bad to worse. When the surgeons removed the tumor, Uncle Homer was left paralyzed from the waist down. So I knew I had to go.
Others had tried to share the wonderful news of the amazing love, mercy and grace of God with him, but Uncle Homer did not believe in God. I was told he would curse and run people off his property. He was just mean when it came to being presented with the gospel. So he was given up for lost. But still I needed to go.
Oh, there were those in the family who prayed for him. They knew God could save him, but would Homer ever come to Christ? I did not know, but I knew I had to go.
I am sure I had never said more than a hello or howdy to Uncle Homer. I had probably seen him less than a handful of times. He certainly was not a socialite. So it was I that had to go.
I am not sure what God used to soften his heart the day I went. It may have been the recent death of his nephew, my husband. It could have been his own personal trial, the tumor or being paralyzed. Whatever it was Uncle Homer was ready and the Heavenly Father was waiting. I am glad I got to go.
My friend Mary went with me that Sunday afternoon. As we stepped into the room we were greeted with a huge smile. The gospel was presented and sweetly received!! Uncle Homer came to the Father that day. I was so glad I got to go!
“For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.”
Luke 15:24
Simply put, Uncle Homer was dead and is alive again. He was lost and is found!! For the lost and even for those given up for lost, this is why we go.
Loser Bible Study Series Theme Verse:
“For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.” Mark 8:35
“Lose” from the Greek word “Apollymi” means “to destroy fully.” It is translated lost in Luke 15:24, our verse for today.
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