A Christian worker met, in one of his visits of mercy, a young woman about twenty years old. She was living in terrible sin and was wretched beyond all description. He soon learned her sad history. She had left her country home some time before, but had fallen among sinful companions. Indeed, she soon outdid them in wickedness and had been sinking ever lower in guilt.
The Christian sought to turn the young woman's heart to the love of God the Father. He quoted John 3:1616For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16) and other scriptures that might draw a response from her, but she was completely overwhelmed by the revealed knowledge of her miserable state.
"Why, oh, why," she exclaimed with bitter grief, "why did I ever leave home? Would to God that I were at home once more! But my father will never receive me. I am sure that he will not. He cannot love me now! He will never forgive me. I know he will always hate and despise me. I have lost his love forever.”
"Have you ever tried him?" inquired the Christian friend.
"No! I dare not.”
"Does your father know where you are?”
"No, I have never written to him since I left home."
"Then I will write to him for you at once.”
"It is of no use, sir, no use.”
"Well, we shall see about that; we can only try." A letter was accordingly written and sent with much prayer. By return mail such an answer came back as made the Christian rejoice and the repentant girl weep abundantly. "Immediate," was written on the outside in large letters; the subject of the contents was, "Ready to forgive.”
"This," wrote the father, "is what I have been earnestly praying for! I have longed to know where my wandering child was, and yearned to hear that she wanted to return. Tell her to come back at once. I do forgive all, and love her still.”
How like our heavenly Father's love was this poor father's heart! Ready, willing, and waiting to receive and bless his prodigal child. Even so God the Father has sent Jesus Christ His Son to seek and to save that which is lost; and He says: "Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out." John 6:3737All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. (John 6:37).
God waits to bless. He says, "Return! Come." He can righteously receive you and will receive you NOW if you come.