Extravagant Blessings – Luke 15:22-24

But the father said to his slaves, “Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet; and bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.” And they began to celebrate.

In His mercy, the Lord miraculously answers His people’s prayers, even the prayers of those who return to Him after a long period of rebellion and disobedience. As we observe His graciousness, we might be inclined to think it unfair that He would so lavishly bless the prodigal who, in our desperately faulted assessment of our own virtue, strayed exceedingly farther from our Lord than we who still have so many as yet unanswered prayers. We might find ourselves thinking that the Lord should have exacted a protracted penalty from this rebel who had so egregiously turned away from Him. Was not the blessing excessive?

Praise the Lord, no! For the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness lavished on other imperfect Christians demonstrates His faithfulness to keep His promises to His beloved.[1] Therefore, great is the hope of His steadfast love for us in spite of our own weakness and sin.[2] Rather than jealousy, praise should well up within us as we witness God’s extravagance in blessing others even though they, as we, have sinned and fallen short of His glory.[3] Gratitude should implant itself within our hearts, as we comprehend that He does not intend to deal with us according to our transgressions, but rather, according to His endless riches and untiring mercy.[4] Exaltation should flow from our lips as we observe His tenderness, and wonder should rise in our minds as we consider His faithfulness to lead His children back onto the Path of Life out of the pigsties into which we wander.

We, in spite of our failing, receive God’s gratuitous blessings, for in His compassion, He does not disinherit us when we rebel against Him and fail to live up to our esteemed position as members of His family. Nor does He refuse to accept our repentance; rather He welcomes us home with joy, puts His best robe over our shoulders, and sets a feast before us to celebrate our safe return to His keeping.

Rejoice and be glad when you see the Lord shower blessings on His children, and refuse to judge another’s worthiness to benefit from God’s magnanimity, for we are all unworthy, having been made righteous by the unmerited grace of God through Jesus Christ. Therefore, praise God and rejoice as He blesses others, for the Lord is good and His loving-kindness pours forth from heaven to His cherished children.[5]

Highest praises to the Lord above
Whom all creation’s singing of
Our Hope, our Joy, our purest Love

Hallelujah, Hallelujah

A gift so great, we have no choice
As our exalting hearts rejoice
And grace gives silent souls a voice

To sing out Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

For all through Him that we attain
Comes praise that nothing can constrain
Exuberant our song’s refrain

As we sing Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

From morning’s break to setting sun
For all the wonders He has done
We worship Him, the Holy One

To Jesus, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

[1] Ephesians 2:7

[2] 2 Corinthians 12:9

[3] Romans 3:23

[4] Ephesians 3:16