Despite the gospel of Christ, the family of man continue to blindly go our own way. We get so far from God it seems there is no turning back. But there is hope! Some of the wayward children turn and humbly seek our Father's forgiveness. No matter how
christian acoustic guitar
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Story behind the song
Jesus summed-up the condition of humanity in a short parable about a son and his loving, caring father. The story's youngest son decides to do his own thing and turn his back on his father and his father's values. He leaves home with an inheritance and lives a lifestyle of selfish abandon in direct contrast to his father's moral values. He tries to be independent, yet relies completely on the inheritance for all sustainous. When the money runs out, he isn't capable of living self-sufficiently from his own efforts and he spirals ever downword. At the lowest possible point, he comes to his senses and crawls back to his father, begging forgiveness. His father is waiting with outstretched arms!
His condition and attitude are very much like ours. We think we can live apart from God, yet we rely on His provisions for our daily living... whether we give Him credit or not. We try to follow our own desires, even when those desires are harmful to ourself or to others. If we would only listen to God, we would avoid so much pain and hurt. If we weren't so prideful, we would admit that God knows best and can take care of us much better than we can alone. If we weren't so arrogant, we would turn and fall at His feet.
"We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way" (Isaiah 53:6). In this passage, the Hebrew word 'taah', translated here as 'astray' also means, "ruin, far away, distant, seduced and deceived." When we go our own direction, as opposed to God's direction, we cannot choose a good, beneficial condition for ourselves. Our vision will only focus on what we want, crave or lust for. Unfortunately, we often don't realize we are heading towards destruction, that's part of being 'seduced and deceived." It doesn't matter if we have an abundance of wealth and prestige or just a little... it is not what we have or what we don't have that blinds our eyes... it is turning our sight away from our father that causes our feet to stray!
How can we escape this path of destruction? We simply do the same as the youngest son... we repent, which means 'change our heart', return to our heavenly father, fall on our knees and ask forgiveness. "Return of the Prodigal" delves a little into the 'straying' of mankind but gives a larger part to the 'turning', repenting and coming back to God. Since our father is waiting for us with outstretched arms, joyfully welcoming us home, the song's finale is of thanks, praise, worship and adoration... all extolled on our forgiving father! As the song fades at the end, a variation on an old spiritual is repeated, "we are free, free at last."
At the songs beginning we set out to do our own thing... and to have freedom, but it is only by returning to our loving father that true freedom can be had! We are "free at last."
Lyrics
(Intro)
We took our inheritance and went our own way.
Didn't care what mattered to You. It was more fun to stray.
Had no desire to work or grow. Wanted only to play.
Could have kept close to You... if only we'd prayed. (Oh Lord!)
(Verse 1)
We settled in the wilderness. Hopin' that from Your eyes we'd hide.
Our backs were turned from righteousness. Seekin' out the wicked to confide.
Our pleasures came from sinfulness. Overtaking all things which we tried.
Hearts became so hardened and calloused with overflowing pride.
(Coda Chorus 1)
When the sky turned dark... and how the winds did blow!
We felt so all alone. Your truth inside we did know.
Oh take us back. Please take us back again!
Oh Lord… we went astray. No longer called You friend!
We're far from You and need You so... true actions, not pretend!
We've lost our way and scattered to where we should not go!
We see Your arms outstretched to take us back again! (Oh Lord!)
(Verse 2)
We moved out of the wilderness where we had hid and had abide.
We turned our face to righteousness, repenting of things in which we'd lied.
Our shame had been our sinfulness. Confessing all things we cried.
Our hearts softened to your gift of everlasting life.
(Coda Chorus 2)
The darkness within has gone. Your light has overcome.
We no longer are over-run. You've freely given of your Son.
Forgiveness. Compassion. Oh, so full of mercy are you Lord!
Our Redeemer, our Savior! You bought us for the price of Your blood when we crucified You!
Oh Lord... You are so beautiful. Oh Lord... You are beyond deskription.
Oh Lord... You rescued us. Oh Lord... You set us all free.
Free - free at last! Free - free at last!