Let him go. Deuteronomy 15:12-13. “And if thy brother, an Hebrew man, or an Hebrew woman, be sold unto thee, and serve thee six years; then in the seventh year thou shalt let him go free from thee. And when thou sendest him out free from thee, thou shalt not let him go away empty:”
He was born with a sinful nature—like everyone. He made mistakes when he was young—like everyone. As a teen, he wanted to venture—like everyone, but poverty was upon the home—he had to be sold. Poverty’s bond is hard to break—by yourself. An indentured slave finds it hard—by yourself. Hard work and gradual payments made—by yourself. For six full years, you were sold—by yourself. Now, the seventh year is here—you are free. The debt has been paid off—you are free. Life starts anew this year—you are free. You have food and a flock—you are free.
When a child wants to hear the Gospel, let him go. When the Spirit of God leads him to Christ, let him go. When he seeks freedom from sin, let him go. When he desires to serve God first, let him go. If he has a desire to pray, let him go. There is work for him to do, so let him go. When he has words from God to speak, let him go. When his life reflects God’s grace, let him go.
How sad it is when he turns away, but I must let him go. It grieves me that he has lost interest, but I must let him go. He doesn’t want to hear what I have to say, but I have to let him go. His whole life is consumed by business, but I must let him go. Lord, bring him back to You—in Your own way. Lord, do what needs to be done—in Your own way. Lord, open his eyes to see—in Your own way. Lord, chasten him as a son—in Your own way.