Note 2 at Lk. 15:17: God's Word makes it clear that the wages of sin is death (Rom. 6:23). Romans 1:18-20 reveals that even those who don't know God's Word have an intuitive knowledge of right and wrong and God's judgment against sin. Therefore, for anyone to live in sin, as depicted by this prodigal son, they have to be deceived. This is exactly what the Bible says is the case in 2 Corinthians 4:4. When Jesus said, "he came to himself," He was referring to the deception being gone and the son's spiritual eyes being opened.

Just as in this case, tragedy often brings people out of deception and back to their senses (see ref. m at this verse). It's not that God sends the tragedy. God spoke through the prophet Jeremiah, "Thy way and thy doings have procured these things unto thee" (Jer. 4:18). However, tragic situations do clearly illustrate that "it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps" (Jer. 10:23), and they make us look somewhere else for help. Although turning to God is always beneficial regardless of what provides the motivation, "hard knocks" are not the best teacher.

Paul said in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works." God's Word was given for reproof and correction and if we will submit to it, we can "be perfect, throughly furnished" without having to experience tragedy first.