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THE PRIDE OF THE PRODIGAL "And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants." (Luke 15:15-19) Now, why did he do that? He obviously came to realize that he had spent all and that he had to do something to feed himself. He knew that he must take some action. But why did he take the action that he took? Why did he join up with a citizen of “that” country? Picture the whole thing in your mind, please. He has really made a mess of things. He’s out of money, out of food and decent clothing, and he knows that he needs to go to someone for help. Who do you think was the first person to come to mind? His father, of course. So why didn’t he go back to the father right then? PRIDE! He was just too proud, so he insisted on trying some other plan, one that would not give his father the privilege of knowing what a failure he had become. He was too proud to admit his guilt. So he went to an anonymous farmer who didn’t know the whole story, and probably didn't care. But God isn’t about to be outsmarted. He meets this young man in the hog pen. He’s tired and hungry, and he would like to go home, but he’s just too proud. So the Holy Spirit goes to work . . . “Hey there, it sure is nice to be out on your own, isn’t it?” “Yeah.” “Yeah, boy. You’re getting to live the way you want with no one telling you what to do. You can stay out late, sleep late, work a little and loaf a lot. Yep, you’ve really got it made now! Much better than back at your father’s house, isn’t it?” “Yeah.” “By the way, I wonder how your father is getting along. You know, you really hurt him when you left like that. He has more work to do than ever, and he had high hopes for you right there on the family farm.” “Yeah, I know, but I have a right to live my own life.” “Yes, and you’re living it. Are you enjoying yourself?” “Well, no, not really. Things didn’t turn out the way I had hoped.” “Well, do you think things will improve for you?” “I don’t know. No one seems to care about anyone but themselves. I thought they were my friends, but all they wanted was my money. Now I have no money, so I have no friends.” “You still have your family.” “Yeah, but I can’t go back after all I’ve done.” “I bet your mother really misses you. She probably prays for you constantly. You know, you really broke her heart when you left like that.” “Yeah, I was pretty selfish, wasn’t I? I wish I’d never left home.” “Well, why don’t you go back? Seems like you’ve learned your lesson. I’ll forgive you, and you know your father will forgive you. Just go back and ask for a chance to start over. No matter what happens, it can’t be any worse than it is here. Just get up and go, son. The sooner the better.” And that’s just what he did. He got his heart right with God and then headed home to his family, and they “began to be merry,” the Bible says. Friend, you can begin to be merry as well. You might have stepped right into the devil’s hog pen, but you don’t have to stay there. The God of the Bible is a forgiving God, and you may come to Him in the name of His Son the Lord Jesus Christ. I urge you to arise and go to the Father like the prodigal. Then, and only then, can you begin to be merry.