July 19, 2022

“Then He [Yeshua] said: “A certain man had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.’ So he divided to them his livelihood. 13 And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal (riotous, kjv) living.” luk 15:11-13 nkjv

Most of the readers of this newsletter devotional, I think, have heard of the parable of the “prodigal son.” It seems the father must have taught the son moral, just, and righteous principles… as in the end, the son acknowledged “those in his father’s house,” where he would return for deliverance from his “riotous” living… confess his sins, and seek servant hood as the other hired servants.

“But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, 19 and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.” ’ luk 15:17-19 nkjv

The verse I want to focus upon for this devotional is:

“for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.” luk 15:24 nkjv

The hope for all “dead and lost” prodigals is first to acknowledge their dismal state of affairs and their need to be restored. The father stated twice his son was dead, lost, and now is alive again and is found. This is the hope we all have for our loved ones who yet struggle through the wasteland of spiritual darkness.

It is very important to acknowledge the Bible’s clear warning concerning the destruction associated with “lack of knowledge.” This is not about math, history, finance, or any other intellectual “knowledge,” as the Bible tells us, “the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge of the HOLY ONE is understanding.” Prov 9:10 nkjv All this is about one’s willingness to embrace Yahweh’s ways and follow His prescribed pathways for us… note Yahweh’s words to Joshua as they began crossing the Jordan into the “Promised Land.”

“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” jos 1:8 nkjv

“For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.” 1 jhn 2:16 nkjv... this is the bait that prodigals follow after, leading them into “spiritual darkness.” Spiritual darkness is any place apart [separated] from fellowship with Yeshua… Note His words:

“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” jhn 15:5 nkjv

“It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life”. Jhn 6:63 nkjv

“To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” Isa 8:20 nkjv

Spiritual darkness is descending upon humanity more each day in this “wasteland” of sin. What, Who, is your “spiritual eye” focused upon?

“But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!” mat 6:23 nkjv

Now, I think the key point to understand is that “spiritual darkness” is the product of spiritual ignorance… many choose to walk separated from Yeshua. Many are consumed with the pleasures of life and indulgences of their flesh. Ignorance of this makes one blind to the sin of idolatry… generally, idolatry is any appetite for things that separate us from the Word of God… and His instruction for our lives. Those things can become the “idols” of our lifestyles. I think it is “ignorance” of Biblical principles and truth in the Scriptures that make us vulnerable to the snares of the devil… which artificial light is in fact spiritual darkness.

Shalom… John