Pray:
Lord, thank You for a new day, for new mercies. Thank You that You have dreams for me and never give up on me.
Read:
Matthew 13:24-30
Reflect:
How does the owner respond compared to the workers?
I looked in disgust at my garden. While I was away, weeds had arrived. I didn't feel like weeding right then, so weeks went by before I took action. By then, the weeds had taken over. This was further complicated by the fact that I'm no gardener. As I pulled out some obvious weeds, I noticed other plants come out that I suspected weren't weeds at all.
In this parable, Jesus tells of a farmer who sowed good seed in his soil. Initially no one noticed any difference between the young plants. Then, as they started to reach maturity, the workers realized that someone had sown weeds among the true wheat. See their initial reaction in verse 28. But the farmer stops them. Why (29)?
How often do we blunder in and judge others, trying to sift out those who are not "true Christians"? In this parable, the Lord makes it clear that this is not our task. Rather, we need to make sure we are growing in our own faith and example, allowing the Lord to do the reaping himself. It's not present appearances that count in God's kingdom but the final judgment--and that is in the Lord's safe hands.
Apply:
Are you in any relationships in which you are passing judgment? Ask God to examine Your own heart.
Pray:
Lord, help me to keep growing in my faith and to leave that which does not concern me in Your hands.
