The Prodigal's Return

Afflictions, though they seem severe,
In mercy oft are sent;
They stopped the prodigal's career,
And caused him to repent.

"What have I gained by sin," he said,
"But hunger, shame, and fear?
My father's house abounds in bread,
While I am starving here!"

"I'll go and tell him all I've done,
Fall down before his face;
Unworthy to be called his son,
I'll seek a servant's place."

"I'll not pine here for bread," he cries;
"Nor starve in foreign lands:
My father's house has large supplies,
And bounteous are his hands."

His father saw him coming back,
He saw, he ran, he smiled,
And threw his arms around the neck
Of his rebellious child!

"O, father I have sinned - forgive!"
"Enough!" his father said:
"Rejoice, my house; my son's alive,
For whom I mourned as dead!"

'Tis thus the Lord His love reveals,
To call poor sinners home:
More than a father's love He feels,
And welcomes all that come.

John Newton

Luke 15:18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, 19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. 20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. 21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. 22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: 23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.