“The kingdom of God is at hand.”—Mark 1:15
Sometimes prodigal children have to live in the wretchedness of a far country before they can recognize the blessings, comfort, and love of home.
It took the nation of Israel over seven years of bloody civil war to surrender to the rightful king.
Peace required a change of masters.
We live in a war every day: A war between two natures, between the kingdom of darkness and the kingdom of light, a hard-fought battle that wages over our souls and eternal destinies.
We can’t afford to compromise. When we do, we end up divided, confused, and hurting like Israel.
How do we heal a compromised life? The steps are laid out in 2 Samuel 5:1- 2.
•First, the people came to David and said, “Indeed, we are your bone and your flesh.” They surrendered because they finally recognized their true family. We are related by blood, they said. We belong together.
Likewise, God asks us to recognize our true family. We no longer belong to the world. We are born into God’s family. We are related by the blood of Christ, united in His Spirit, one with Jesus—and each other!
“He who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him,” Paul wrote (1 Corinthians 6:17).
Recognizing and embracing our true identities as God’s beloved sons and daughters, and living in His kingdom, is the first step toward healing.
• Secondly, the people admitted their failures.
“Also, in times past, when Saul was king over us…” They confessed that they followed the wrong master; they went the wrong way. And they turned.
The Lord promised us, “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14
• Finally, the people acknowledged to David, “You were the one who led Israel … and the Lord said to you, ‘You shall shepherd my people and be ruler over Israel.’”
Now they understood. Even while they were submitted to the house of Saul, by the grace of God, they did not lose their kingdom.
We can turn, yes, fervently run from the wrong kingdom into the Father’s Kingdom, where we will find peace, healing, and His love.
