“When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants. So, he got up and went to his father.”
Luke 15:17-19
Wednesday, September 2nd, 2026
Devotional written by Steve Day, Care Pastor
CHOOSING GOD
When the prodigal son hit bottom, his life began to change. It was as if the lights came on. Luke 15:17 says, “When he came to his senses.” I love that phrase because sin is senseless. It is a form of temporary spiritual insanity, as you turn your back on everything that is God-given and good. It’s giving up good for bad. Giving up eternal value for no value. Turning away from “living water” to drink sewer water. Insanity!
Finally, he came to his senses, and repentance followed. He said to himself, “I will go back to my father.” Repentance happens when you’ve been going one direction, decide it’s not working, and change your mind. Repentance is a change of mind that leads to a change of life. It means changing the direction of your life. The prodigal son says, “I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.”
How hard is it to come back to God from a “distant country”? The hardest step is the first. A hundred-mile journey begins with the first step. You may be living in a “distant country,” far from God. You should do as the prodigal son did and take the first step back to God. He’s waiting.
Final Thought: Read Psalm 37:5. What does it say about committing your life to God?