When God Ran

For those who are also reading through the Chronological Bible in one year – We made it! Today is the last day of the Old Testament. I don’t know about you, but I sure learned a lot! I CANNOT WAIT to see what He has packed for us in the New!

This morning I just feel so blessed to serve a God of hope! Do any of you have one that you love desperately who needs the Lord but is running the other way? I do. Some days I do well. I see God’s faithfulness to draw me in my own life and I know that God will be faithful to the one I love as well. Late last night, I was at the end of a long day of doing mommy car pool. Mariah and I were driving home through the dark Charlotte streets tired and worn out, physically. Emotionally. A song began to drift the airways. One I had not heard for many, many years and suddenly I was transported back twenty-three years. I was far from home. Not only physically far from my home in Iowa, but feeling far, far away from the One I knew loved me most. I was lying on my bunk bed in Texas, hearing God’s love and mercy pour over me, through my earphones and into my heart. I used to listen to the words of these songs over and over and over again when the Lord was drawing me back from a season of doing my own thing.

When God Ran
Benny Hestor

Almighty God, the great I am
Immovable rock, omnipotent, powerful, awesome Lord
Victorious warrior, commanding King of Kings
Mighty conqueror, and the only time
the only time I ever saw Him run

Was when He ran to me, He took me in His arms
Held my head to His chest, said “My son’s come home again”
Lifted my face, wiped the tears from my eyes
With forgiveness in His voice He said,
“Son do you know I still love you?”
He caught me by surprise when God ran

The day I left home I knew I’d broken His heart
And I wondered then if things could ever be the same
Then one night I remembered His love for me
And down that dusty road ahead I could see
It was the only time – it was the only time I ever saw Him run

And then He ran to me, He took me in His arms
Held my head to His chest, said “My son’s come home again”
Lifted my face, wiped the tears from my eyes
With forgiveness in His voice He said,
“Son do you know I still love you?”
He caught me by surprise as He brought me to my knees
When God ran – I saw Him run to me

I was so ashamed, all alone and so far away
But now I know He’s been waiting for this day

I saw Him run to me, He took me in His arms
Held my head to His chest, said “My son’s come home again”
Lifted my face, wiped the tears from my eyes
With forgiveness in His voice I felt His love for me again

He ran to me, He took me in His arms
Held my head to His chest, said “My son’s come home again”
Lifted my face, wiped the tears from my eyes
With forgiveness in His voice He said, “Son”, He called me Son
He said, “Son do you know I still love you?”
He ran to me and then I ran to Him
When God ran

I know Mariah couldn’t understand why tears were pouring down my face. Once again, I was overcome by His incredible, perfect, unconditional love for me. I was overwhelmed with His heart that sees past our rebellion to see who He made us to be. I was stunned by a love that unconditionally comes after me time and time and time again, even when I am walking the other direction.

Friend, not only does God run after us, He runs after the one we love, for He loves them so much more than we do. Just like He has done in our lives, He can restore the mistakes they have made and are continuing to make. He is faithful even when we are not.

Today, I was reminded of this in Joel 2: 21 – 25
“Don’t be afraid, my people.
Be glad now and rejoice,
for the Lord has done great things.
Don’t be afraid, you animals of the field,
for the wilderness pastures will soon be green.
The trees will again be filled with fruit;
fig trees and grapevines will be loaded down once more.
Rejoice, you people of Jerusalem!
Rejoice in the Lord your God!
For the rain he sends demonstrates his faithfulness.
Once more the autumn rains will come,
as well as the rains of spring.
The threshing floors will again be piled high with grain,
and the presses will overflow with new wine and olive oil.
The Lord says, “I will give you back what you lost
to the swarming locusts, the hopping locusts,
the stripping locusts, and the cutting locusts.
It was I who sent this great destroying army against you.”

Believe for the one you love today. Have faith; see them in their future just as these verses say. What they have lost will be restored. He is good and faithful all the time. If I can pray for you for one who is running, please let me know. I would love to join you in your prayers.

Lynn

4 Comments

  1. Lynn, this is so beautiful.

    As you know, my "runaway" who needs prayer is my nephew.

    Thank you for your prayers. Praying for your concerns as well.

    God is able,
    Joy

  2. Anonymous says:

    Lynn, the sentence" He also runs after the one you love" touched my heart to tears. I know now that God is much interested in us and who we love and long for to serve Him with us. Please pray for my husband who left home this May to be in an illicit relationship. We have five children together and have been married for 18 years this June. Thank you so much.

  3. Lord,
    We know you see our runaways. You know what it will take to bring them back home; to you and Your Son. We ask you to intervene, Lord. Bring them to the end of themselves and straight to the One Who loves them most!
    Amen

  4. Lynn,

    Beautiful words.

    My "runaway" is my son who is addicted to drugs. I pray scriptures for him each morning and believe in my heart he will return to the Lord.

    I'm a mom who has hope in our powerful Lord, but at times feel weak and weary.

    I love the words of the songs and will read them over and over.

    Blessings,
    Deborah

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