“When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many hired men of my father are abounding with bread, while I am perishing here from famine!

¹³ The prodigal “came to his senses.” For a time, he had been indulging in pleasure-seeking, as if living in a dreamworld. But now he became keenly aware of his true spiritual condition. Yes, even though he had fallen, there was still hope for this young man. Something good could be found in him. (Proverbs 24:16; compare 2 Chronicles 19:2, 3.) What about those who leave God’s flock today? Would it be reasonable to conclude that they all are beyond hope, that in every case their rebellious course proves that they have sinned against God’s holy spirit? (Matthew 12:31, 32) Not necessarily. A number of them are tormented by their wayward course, and in time many of these come to their senses. “I never, even for one day, forgot about Jehovah,” says one sister, reflecting on the time she spent away from God’s organization. “I always prayed that somehow, someday, he would accept me back to the truth.”—Psalm 119:176.