Finding our security in the love of the Father

Tonight's session of Torrents of Hope was on the theme of finding our security in the love of God the Father. One of the volunteer leaders, Lydia, gave an excellent talk on this theme and the Parable of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15.

I've given lots of thought to this story and preached from it in summer 2002. However, it still has a freshness and things to learn. One point that struck me was that both sons, the younger one a long way from his father, and the older one right under his father's roof, didn't understand the heart of the Father. Neither one found their security in their relationship with him.

Another point was that it was said, "You are my son" and not "You make my son." In French, there is the distinction between "être" ("to be") and "faire" ("to do"). The point is that he was his father's son, even without needing to do anything. Yet it can be so easy to feel that we need to "earn" our sonship in God.

A final point that struck me was that the father knew that his sons were different and acted differently toward them in their differing states.

It was good to be together again after the weekend. There definitely was a strong sense of camaraderie in our group and throughout the whole couse tonight.