In today's first 15, we're going to look at how incredibly patient God is with us,

as we begin our second day in a week-long focus on the story of the prodigal son.

So often we judge ourselves.

We can be our own worst critic.

But today, if we'll open our hearts and minds to listen and receive,

we'll find a patient God who's never surprised by our mistakes

and who never cast us out in the midst of our failures and shortcomings.

May the patience and love of God transform your heart today

as we spend time in his presence, engaging with His Word.

Welcome to the First 15 Podcast. Our scripture for today comes from Psalm 86, verse 15.

Scripture says,

But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.

Our Heavenly Father is abundantly patient with us.

So vast is His love that our hearts can always be filled with his affection.

So perfect is his leadership and wisdom that he makes available to us a perfect and pleasing life through every season.

And yet he is patient to guide us into the fullness of life afforded to us by Christ's sacrifice.

He waits, sweetly beckoning us to simply trust him and cultivate a heart of constant communion with him.

In Luke 15, Jesus tells us of a prodigal son who foolishly and pridefully leaves perfect communion with his father to chase after worldly satisfaction.

The father lovingly obliges his son, offers him his inheritance as if he himself were dead, and watches as his son leaves a life in his father's care

to lead a lifestyle of destruction.

And the father waits, patiently hoping for the return of his child.

I find myself daily leaving the perfection of communion with my Heavenly Father to seek the things of the world.

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