Daily Devotion 09/28/18
Matthew 13:18-23 “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20 The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 22 The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. 23 But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”
I have fond memories of my Grandpa and Grandma’s huge backyard complete with a swing-set and lots of space to play baseball, but I also specifically remember their garden. I remember going over in the spring time and their garden was nothing but a dirt patch. After the seeds were planted, we’d come back and impatiently wonder why there was nothing happening. As the summer would go on, the plants would grow taller and eventually the plants we had been watching all summer long would produce their vegetables. Patience was the key. The same is true when scattering gospel seeds. We scatter the seed by telling people about Jesus. Then we’re patient. We don’t expect faith to happen over night, but we patiently scatter more seed. We water that seed with the Word. We patiently observe, and if we are lucky enough we are able to actually see God has grown faith in that person’s heart. Today, as you look to spread the seed, do so with patience. If someone isn’t “getting it”, patiently scatter the seed and wait. God will work.
Thank you, Lord, for patiently working on my heart every day. As I tell others about you, help me to be patient and let you work. Let me sow the seed of the gospel with joy today and always. Amen.