He is coming home

October 17, 1997. The note in the diary read:

“He will be a mighty instrument in my Hands. I will use him to bring many people to know the true God. He will be a channel of blessing, hope and light to his generation”.

Lizzy had just come back from an ultrasound where she found out she was having a boy. She had waited so long for this baby and almost given up the hope of ever having a biological child. Her joy knew no bounds as she gazed at the ultrasound image in her hands and traced the baby’s developing features with her fingers.

As she tucked away the image, she remembered her morning devotion just before she left for the clinic. “Then Manoah prayed to the LORD, and said, “O my Lord, please let the Man of God whom You sent come to us again and teach us what we shall do for the child who will be born”…… Manoah said, “Now let Your words come to pass! What will be the boy’s rule of life, and his work?” (Judges 13: 8 – 12). She decided to ask God the same question Manoah asked. It was while praying, God gave her a glimpse into the life of her son. But that was in 1997.

More than 20 years have passed, and John is a complete opposite of that promise. He has brought his parents, Lizzy and Dan, so much pain and sorrow – consistently making wrong choices. The case is different for Stella and Peter, who were adopted about five years before John was born.

Lizzy and Dan have made every effort to introduce the children to Jesus and guide them in making their personal decisions to follow Jesus. Stella and Peter responded positively, while John consistently made it clear he was not buying into their “religious views”.

Lizzy was not going to give up on him. She read the Scriptures over again:

“…But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD” (Joshua 24:15).

“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). She stood still, closed her eyes, and let the words sink in.

“He is coming home”, someone behind her gently announced. She swiftly turned around, hoping to see Dan, but there was no one in sight. At that instant, she knew God has not forgotten John and is working out something beautiful.

Do you have a strong desire to see someone saved – maybe a friend, child, spouse, relative, neighbour? Are you gradually becoming tired or losing hope as time drags on?

Let hope arise in your heart!

As you remember the promises of our faithful God

He is coming home! She is coming home! They are coming home!