MUSIC AND DANCING!

Now his older son was in the field. And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. And he said to him, 'Your brother has come, and because he has received him safe and sound, your father has killed the fatted calf.' But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out and pleaded with him.  (Luke 15:25-28 NKJV)

The elder brother heard the sounds of music and dancing as he drew near to the house. They were the harmony of the house, because they were the harmony which was ringing through the heart of the Master and Father. Every household is more or less attuned to the spirit of those who are at its head. There is a warning here for us not to carry our moods and worries home, because we might lower and depress the harmony of all the members of our family circle!

The father's joy at the return of his younger son was highly infectious. As the Greek suggests, there were three grades of servants in the house, evidently a great household, and the whole of them were abandoned to exuberant joy. Not a girl who did not pretty up and dress herself in her best; not a boy who did not polish his buttons. The effect was the more remarkable as contrasted with the dark clouds which, during the last few years, had enveloped them all, the reflection of the sorrow of the master!

But ought there not to have been a similar outburst of joy in respect to the elder brother? Not that he had come back, but that he had never gone astray! Not that he was a forgiven squanderer, but that he had never transgressed at any time his father's commandment! But no fatted calf was killed in his honor; no music and dancing celebrated his adherence to the home! Was this quite fair?

But there were compensations. "Thou art ever with me, and all that I have is Thine." "If children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ." All things are ours in Him. Like Enoch, we may always walk with God and have fellowship with Him. The prodigal may have his music and dancing, but isn’t it better to have a life grounded in love, radiant with peace and joy, unbroken in its even mood and happiness? No! We will not grudge him one hour of exultation, but give us God's best and sweetest gift, an unclouded heart, rest, serenity, peace, and the daily love of God our Father shed abroad within us, as we live in His dear presence!

PRAYER

Take from my heart, heavenly Father, all hatred and malice, all envy and jealousy, and everything which would cause a problem between me and others; that nothing may prevent the inflowing of Your love to my heart, and its out flowing towards others. In Jesus’ name I plead, AMEN.

God's Daily Promise

Promise #84:
Humble yourself before Me and in time I will exalt you. 

1 Peter 5:6 (WEB)
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God,
that he may exalt you in due time;