Daily Devotional Luke 15:14-16 – The Prodigal Son (Part 2) – How does God change our hearts? – Online Bible Study – Commentary in easy English – Day 315

After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. (Luke 14:14-16)

After God wins the battle for our hearts, He changes them so He can use us out in the field. During such a period God sought to free me from anger and a bad temper. He did not shield me from any situation that would cause me to be mad. Until I eventually learned to give my anger to God and not yell in the process, I was miserable. Is it a coincidence that I’m rarely in circumstances anymore that cause me to be angry? I think not.

I don’t believe God causes disasters anymore to hurt individuals. He caused famines, draughts, flooding and plagues in the Old Testament before He sent Jesus to redeem us. In Luke 13:1-5 Jesus tells us God isn’t the cause for disasters such as a tower falling on people or for people hurting us. Humans and the enemy cause enough damage to nature and each other. The wrath of God has changed from God initiating disaster to God not interfering in the disasters that we and the enemy have caused. So if there is a natural, human- or enemy-created famine in the area where this selfish lost son is living, will God stop the disaster? Probably not, because He has a chance to change this ungrateful young man’s heart.

God gives us free will, so He can delight in us choosing Him. But when parents give their children free will, it results in temper tantrums and selfishness. This young man has complete free will and money. In Part 1 of this story it seems he has no positive attributes. But when his free will ends due to loss of money and famine, we see the lost son is willing to work so he doesn’t have to steal. He could have easily stolen the pods he fed the pigs, but his heart begins to change.

Father God, let me hear Your Word and do it. Help me learn from the bad situations and disasters I’ve encountered, so I can be mature and complete in You, field ready to perform Your works. Help me find joy in every situation. In Christ’s precious and Holy name I pray, amen.