The prodigal was a son of the father all the time; but when he preferred _his_ will to the will of his father, _his_ way to the way of his father, _his_ management of his share in the property to his father's management, it issued but in ruin and misery--in hunger and nakedness and shame. The fact that he was a son was of no avail to him in the "far country," in the place of self-will and self-management. But as soon as he arose, and with true repentance and submission came back to the father's house, willing to serve, and to do his father's will, he found himself restored to his father's heart, and to all the privileges of sonship: the fatted calf was killed, the best robe was put upon him, once more he had shoes on his feet and a ring on his hand, and joy and gladness filled the home. How many Christians there are who, in their self-will and attempted self-management, find themselves day by day full of sorrow, or full of care. Trying to keep themselves they are not kept; trying to be happy they are often unhappy; trying to succeed they fail; and they can but confess that their life is very different from that ideal life described in Ps. lxxxix. 15-18: "Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: They shall walk, O LORD, in the light of Thy countenance. In Thy Name shall they rejoice all the day: And in Thy righteousness shall they be exalted. For Thou art the glory of their strength; And in Thy favour our horn shall be exalted. For the LORD is our defence; And the HOLY ONE of Israel is our KING." Instead of this many practically know very little of peace "which passeth all understanding," of joy that is literally "unspeakable"; adjectives far more moderate would be found strong enough to express all _they_ know of oft-troubled peace and intermittent satisfaction and happiness. Many there are who fail to see that there can be but one lord, and that those who do not make GOD _Lord of all_ do not make Him _Lord at all_. The slightest reservation in our consecration shows that we hold ourselves _as our own_, and consequently at liberty to give Him as much or as little as we think fit. If we recognize Him as LORD and MASTER, we have nothing to withhold, and nothing of our own, for we, and all we have, are already His. But then, in return, all He has, and all He is, become ours. Oh! blessed PORTION! Who would not wish henceforth to have no private property in himself--in his members--in his possessions--in his family--in his affections; but, in fullest consecration, to acknowledge and recognize GOD'S right and to be no longer a robber of GOD? _"And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto Aaron and unto his sons, saying, On this wise ye shall bless the children of Israel ... And they shall put My Name upon the children of Israel; and I will bless them."_