Running to what?

Reading: Job 20-21 and Luke 15

Scripture: Luke 15:20, And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.

Thoughts: I had heard a teaching that in the time that Jesus would have told this parable, anyone hearing this would have known that anyone from the town could have put this person to death for the blasphemy against his father. So this father was sitting there waiting for his son to return to him. When he sees him he runs to him not only to greet his long lost son but also to protect him from those who had the legal right to stone him to death. As a sinner, I can relate to the son coming home to work as a servant. Yet as a father, I can relate to wanting to protect my children. I don't want them to have the hurts that I have had. I want them to grow up strong in the Lord. I want to run and be the shield that will cover them.

Prayer: Father God, I thank you that you are our Father, you are the one I strive to emulate. I thank you that I have the opportunity to steward my children and some of the cattle you have on those thousand hills. I thank you that you are blessing us every day even when we don't recognize it. You are the one in control and I long to walk in your ways.