Why a Prodigal 3: Lions at War, episode 76

0:00 If you love a prodigal, you can discover help and hope for your wilderness journey right here at When You Love a Prodigal. And also help and hope for your own life journey. Today we are talking about the third part of why a prodigal, why has my loved one become a prodigal? And the title of this is Lions at War. As you listen today, I encourage you to jot down any ideas that might be new to you and a promise to hold onto. The lion is always on the prowl.

0:44 I was sitting on my back porch when I used to live in California, watching a small mouse totally absorbed in some cookie crumbs left there by a neighbor child. The mouse was so absorbed, he did not see the cat stealthily approaching. My warning shout was too late and the cat took off with her supper. And another story, on that same back porch, our cat had taken her brand new kittens and hidden them kind of in a secluded corner of this porch.

1:25 But not hidden from the eagle eye of a soaring eagle. When mama cat headed for a needed break from her demanding duties, the eagle dropped in, clutched a kitten in each talon and soared off to her nest. Why do I tell you such terrible stories? Because our world is full of danger for mice and kittens, but also for you and me and especially for our prodigals. When you love a prodigal, you get used to the lion stalking. You know we have an enemy.

2:07 We're told in 1 Peter 5, be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. That enemy, Satan, hates that we love and follow Jesus. And he hates that those we love, our children, our family, our friends, would also learn and choose to be followers of Jesus. He entices, he tempts, he frightens, he inflicts harm. He is determined that your loved one not belong to the kingdom of God. He is relentless and he has an army of demons to do his bidding.

2:54 But of course, we also know there is the true lion, the lion of Judah, our very own Jesus, who is equally determined as described in Revelation 5.5. He is also a good shepherd. He's a lion, but he's a shepherd. And he pursues and woos and protects and intervenes and rescues those who have wandered away, run away or turned away. His love, mercy and grace are powerful weapons in this battle, drawing our prodigals from destructive choices and wanting lifestyles into the light of our savior.

3:39 And it happens, they turn and they return. And we think the battle is won, we rejoice. The evil one is defeated, our loved one is restored. Well, yes and no, that's true, but that lion keeps talking. Our enemy, the devil, does not give up. He is always looking for an opportune time to resume his attack. Sometimes he comes right at our prodigal, other times he comes in disguise, and still others he sneaks in his light. When our former prodigal was making many bad choices, the enemy found he was easy prey and his efforts weren't subtle.

4:27 As our loved one began to turn back, the devil was sneakier in his efforts to pull him away from us and the Lord. And as our Josh has now sought to make good choices, to not listen to the devil's whispers, the lion has several times attacked him directly. Most recently, as he worked at his well-drilling job, a large metal cylinder broke off and shot out, hitting him hard on his hip. He thought his hip was broken, but gratefully it was just a deep bruise. I pictured an angel reaching out and redirecting that lethal projectile from his head or his heart.

5:13 Grateful indeed. But the reality is we are at war. At least we are part of a war in the heavenlies, a battle between good and evil, between God our creator and Jesus our savior and the devil, the roaring lion, the liar. Do I believe that? I do believe it. And much of the strife, tension, warfare, and violence we see around the world today is more than just conflicting ideologies, warring tribes, people demanding freedom, nations seeking to dominate.

5:59 It is because powerful forces will use any conflict, any misunderstanding, any power grab to increase turmoil and animosity, fear, and more. The devil's forces are involved, but they're not taking sides. They're playing one side against another. Now, you may think that these battles in the heavenlies, that have nothing to do with the battles on earth, but they have a lot to do because this is the place where the devil is trying still to defeat our God. Our God, on the other hand, is a God of love and peace.

6:42 Yes, his angelic forces are engaged in the battle to protect the earth and all its inhabitants from the destructive intentions of our enemy of Satan. And there are many of God's children who are actively involved for the kingdom of God where battles are won. They're doing it on their knees. They're worshiping God. They're speaking out his truth. They're living out his love. They're standing with the lion of truth, Jesus against the lion of lies, Satan himself. But here's something exciting.

7:22 I believe that our former prodigals will be front-line warriors on behalf of the king of heaven. There is a group that's close to my heart who will, I believe, play a major role in this war. Former prodigals, boys and girls, and men and women who have been, in essence, to hell and back, many have turned and returned. They've been redeemed and restored. They're ready to put on their armor and be filled with his spirit in places and ways most of us know nothing about.

8:05 Others aren't there yet. They're still wandering. Many of us have wanderers still. They're wandering, running from the love of family and of God, often bringing great harm to themselves and hurt to those who love them. Many, though, are on their knees, beseeching God for their safety, for their turn and return, pursuing them with love and perseverance. I have had this word from the Lord for years. The prodigals we have prayed for and continue to pray for diligently will be part of the holy warriors confronting the enemy.

8:46 Many of them will be in the front, leading. They have encountered the enemy and know better than most of us what we are up against. There's a relentless enemy and a victorious savior. We know that our Jesus, our savior, is the great king and will emerge triumphant. In fact, he is already one when he rose from the dead and conquered death. But Satan continues to pursue to the end, seeking to capture as many as he can take with him. He is a real enemy. Jesus said, the thief comes only to steal and to kill and destroy.

9:30 But I have come that you may have life and have it to the full and abundantly. Peter warns us, be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. But know this, when we resist the devil with praise of God, with thanksgiving, with worship, he flees. We're told to resist him and he will flee. You mentioned the name of Jesus, he doesn't like it. He's out of there. If you praise God and point out all of his good characteristics, oh, the enemy hates that.

10:15 So as we praise and thank and worship, the devil flees. You have an enemy, but you have a very effective weapon against him. And when we pray on behalf of our prodigals, we are opening the gates of heaven and unleashing the power of God. Don't quit praying. That is your weapon in this battle. God hears and he will answer. He knows your loved one. He knows where they are. He knows what's going on. And he's wooing them back, saying, come on, I love you.

10:58 I have a much better plan for you. And be assured of this. Jesus says, my father, who has given them to me, these he loves, is greater than all. No one can snatch them out of my father's hands. Is that not a promise you can grab hold of? God's got them in his hands. Satan's buffeting them, hitting them, pushing them, trying to destroy them. God says, you can't have them. Don't quit. Don't give up. Keep on going to the throne of grace. You have an open invitation.

11:41 We will see our loved ones turn and return. And I believe they will be the frontline warriors for the Lord. So did you capture a thought that was new to you? And were you able to catch hold of a promise for your prodigal? If this has encouraged you, would you tell someone you know about it? If you listen on Apple, you can rate and review it. And I would be grateful. Next week, we will look at another powerful way that we can overcome the evil one. God bless you.