03/02/24
JOEL OSTEEN MINISTRIES
TODAY’S WORD
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
“The father said, ‘Quick, bring me the best robe, my very own robe, and I will place it on his shoulders. Bring the ring, the seal of sonship, and I will put it on his finger. And bring out the best shoes you can find for my son. Let’s prepare a great feast and celebrate.”
Luke 15:22–23, TPT
IT’S WITH YOUR FATHER
The prodigal son returned home filthy dirty with hog manure after wasting his father’s inheritance through wild living. Yet when he returned, today’s Scripture recounts his father’s response. The same is true for us when we’ve gone off course and made a mess of our lives. Despite what you’ve done, God has a robe of honor waiting for you. It’s not in the hog pen; it’s with your Father. He has a family ring that restores all the authority of sonship. It’s not in the hog pen; it’s with your Father. He has the best shoes for you. They’re not in the hog pen; they’re with your Father. He has a fatted calf and feast. They’re not in the hog pen; they’re with your Father.
When you’ve gotten off course, it’s easy to stay in the hog pen condemning yourself when God has a fatted calf out in the field with your name on it. He wants to not just receive you back but restore what’s been lost—your honor, your reputation, your joy. Arise and go to your Father.
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
“Father, thank You that You forgive me, imperfect as I am, and that every mistake I’ve made has already been paid for by Jesus on the cross. Thank You for Your heart of restoring love and mercy for all that I’ve lost or that’s been taken. I believe that You robe me in Your righteousness and favor. In Jesus’ Name, Amen
SECTION TWO
Have you been in a situation where your circumstances appear to be completely hopeless? Where you felt immobilized and overwhelmed by the challenges surrounding you, with no way out or even a temporary respite in sight? Perhaps under the accumulated weight of it all coming against you at once, you feel as if your entire life is spiraling out of control and falling apart.
That is exactly what happened to King Jehoshaphat and the small tribe of Judah when they were besieged on all fronts by three powerful and bloodthirsty armies rapidly advancing toward Jerusalem (2 Chron. 20). With their enemies mercilessly bent on annihilating them and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, they were facing a forlorn and hopeless situation, and it looked as though they were bound for a tragic end.
When Jehoshaphat was informed that a great multitude was coming against him, his first reaction was fear! I don’t know about you, but this gives me hope!
I’m so glad that the Word of God gives us an authentic portrait of who Jehoshaphat was. He wasn’t a valiant warrior king who was always full of faith and endowed with a disproportionate dose of fiery courage, always ready to take down his enemies. No, he was a regular guy. He did what you and I would have done—he panicked.
But what set Jehoshaphat apart was that even when he was fearful, the very first thing he did was to “set himself to seek the LORD” (2 Chron. 20:3). That is something you and I need to learn to do as well whenever we are fearful.
Instead of spiraling deeper into the abyss of self-defeat, know that when you are feeling overwhelmed by your circumstances, that is the time you need to set yourself to seek the Lord. It’s certainly not the time to run away from God or get bitter, angry, frustrated, and disappointed with Him.
Hey, God is not the author of your troubles. He is the author and finisher of your faith, victory, and success.
Jehoshaphat shows us that it’s quite all right to experience bouts of fear from time to time. God doesn’t condemn you when you are afraid. But when you receive a negative medical report or some bad news about your family or business, set yourself to seek the Lord.
Jesus is your answer! His perfect love for you will cast out all fear.
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