RELENTLESS LOVE

Prone to Wander

“So it shall be when all of these things have come upon you, the blessing and the curse which I have set before you, and you call them to mind in all nations where the LORD your God has banished you, and you return to the LORD your God and obey Him with all your heart and soul according to all that I command you today, you and your sons, then the LORD your God will restore you from captivity, and have compassion on you, and will gather you again from all the peoples where the LORD your God has scattered you. “If your outcasts are at the ends of the earth, from there the LORD your God will gather you, and from there He will bring you back. “The LORD your God will bring you into the land which your fathers possessed, and you shall possess it; and He will prosper you and multiply you more than your fathers. Deuteronomy 30:1-5 (NASB)

It has been in our nature since the “Fall of Man” to wander away from God. It is clearly seen in the life of Israel, God’s chosen people. In times of adversity, they would cry out to God for salvation. In times of prosperity, they would have a false sense of security in material possessions instead of trusting the God from whom their blessings came. It is so obvious to see it happening in the Israelites as we read the Bible. It is even fairly easy to see it when it happens to my neighbor. However, it is incredibly hard to see it happening in me. Yet I know that it is my nature just as it was in Adam to trust in the creation rather than the Creator!

Kenneth W. Osbeck in 101 Hymn Stories tells the story behind a favorite hymn that deals with wandering away from God:

“Robert Robinson had been saved out of a tempestuous life of sin through George Whitfield’s ministry in England. Shortly after that, at the age of twenty-three, Robinson wrote the hymn Come, Thou Fount.

Come, Thou Fount of ev’ry blessing, Streams of mercy, never ceasing, Call for songs of loudest praise.

Sadly, Robinson wandered far from those streams and, like the Prodigal Son, journeyed into the distant country of carnality. Until one day—he was traveling by stagecoach and sitting beside a young woman engrossed in her book. She ran across a verse she thought was beautiful and asked him what he thought of it.

Prone to wander— Lord, I feel it— Prone to leave the God I love.

Bursting into tears, Robinson said, “Madam, I am the poor unhappy man who wrote that hymn many years ago, and I would give a thousand worlds, if I had them, to enjoy the feelings I had then.” Although greatly surprised, she reassured him that the “streams of mercy” mentioned in his song still flowed. Mr. Robinson was deeply touched. Turning his “wandering heart” to the Lord, he was restored to full fellowship.”

Moses reminds the Israelites when “these things have come upon you” to return to the Lord. God is relentless in His love towards us. He is faithful to do what He promised.

Today’s Prayer

Dear Lord,

Forgive me for my sin, my pride of self-sufficiency. I know Your Word is true and You have created all that I am or have. I know that You will restore me or anyone who turns from sin and comes to you. Help me to live my life honoring You with every choice I make. In Jesus Name, Amen.