Bible Reading
- Isaiah 65
- Matthew 13
Devotional Thoughts
I remember a time in my kids teen years when I longed to give input into their lives, but they just didn’t want it. I longed to help them navigate life, and disciple them in making good decisions to help prepare them for becoming an adult. But, as teenagers, they didn’t want my input, instead they sought it in other people, and not always from the best influence.
In Isaiah 65 we see God desiring the same with Israel. “I was ready to be sought… I was ready to be found… Here I am, here I am…” (Is 65:1) “But when I called, you did not answer, when I spoke you did not listen, but you did what was evil in my eyes and chose what I did not delight in.” (Is 65:12) As a parent, I know how much that hurts. As the God of the universe, the creator and redeemer that must have hurt God so much.
It’s interesting that when we get to the New Testament we see a similar story in Matthew 13:13-16. Jesus says, “This is why I speak in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear nor do they understand.. for this people’s hearts have grown dull…”
As a parent, I remember praying, asking, even begging God to open my kids hearts so that I could help them. God must feel that way with us infinitely more. God is constantly there, ready, willing and waiting for us to listen and respond to him. Is 65:24 says, “Before they call I will answer; while they are yet speaking I will hear.” God is waiting and ready to respond when we call out to him. Just like I was so ready to help and direct and disciple m kids, if/when they were willing, God is so much more ready to do that with us! So, why don’t we live at his feet, soaking up every word like Mary did? (Luke 10:42)
In the parable of the seeds Jesus gives a three reasons why (Matt 13:18-23);
- Hard hearts – In the parable Jesus explains that the seed sown on the path represents anyone who hears the word and does not understand because the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown. Their hearts are not open to what God is trying to say! They are so caught up in their own interests and desires, they don’t even notice when God’s seeds of truth are presented to them.
- Rocky hearts – In the parable Jesus explains that anyone who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, yet has no root, when tribulation or persecution come on account of the word, immediately he falls away. They are not deeply rooted in truth, therefore when lies and wrong thinking confront them, they are easily turned away from the truth.
- Thorn infested hearts – In the parable, these are people who hear the word, but the cares of the world and deceitfulness of riches choke it out and proves it unfruitful.
What kind of soil is your heart? When God’s truth is sewn in your heart, how do you respond? The soil God is looking for are those who hear God’s Word, understand it, and act upon it producing fruit. James 1:22 tells us, “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”
Today I am so proud of where my kids are. They have grown in the Lord and seek not only wisdom from me, but they seek wisdom from their heavenly Father and are seeking to live for Him! That should be the result of the influence of God’s Word in our lives!
Declarations
- God is ALWAYS ready and waiting for us to seek him! He longs to impart truth and to help us to see him and grow to be like him.
- I want my heart to be good soil, one that receives God’s word, taking root, and producing fruit. Lord show me where / if my heart has any hard rocky soil. Root out any weeds that are distracting me from God’s Word taking root.
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