October 11 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading

Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23:

¹The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side.
²And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore.
³And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;
⁴And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up:
⁵Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth:
⁶And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.
⁷And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them:
⁸But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.
⁹Who hath ears to hear, let him hear....
¹⁸Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower.
¹⁹When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.
²⁰But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;
²¹Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.
²²He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.
²³But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

Devotional

Not all seeds sown fell into good ground. Some fell by the wayside, and the fowls devoured them. Some fell upon stony places, where there was no deepness of earth. They sprang up quickly, but when the sun was up, they were scorched. Some fell among thornes, and the thornes choked them. But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, an hundred, sixty, and thirtyfold.

As with the outward seed, so is it with the Word of God, when it is preached. Not all hearts are prepared to receive the seeds of the Word of God. We read of Lydia, a seller of purple, that the Lord opened her heart, so "that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul." Even the understanding of the dis­ciples had to be opened, so that they might understand the Scrip­tures. Unto them it was given, but not unto those who were with­out.

Satan always tries to prevent the seeds of the Word to spring up and bear fruit. People hear the Word, but understand it not, and Satan immediately takes away the word. Others hear the word and receive it gladly, but when tribulation or persecu­tion arises because of the word, they fall away. In others the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word. Those sown on good ground are they that "hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred." "Who hath ears to hear, let him hear."

Prayer

O God, our heavenly Father, we thank Thee for Thy Word. Help us to realize what a privilege it is to hear Thy Word; but also help us to realize the great responsibility that is ours, when Thy Word is proclaimed to us. Open Thou the eyes of our understanding that we may understand the truth, and grant us grace that we may receive it into our hearts and keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience. For Jesus' sake. Amen.

---

Scripture in Devotional: Acts 16:14; Luke 24:45; Mark 4:11; 15:16-20; Matt. 13:9.

Click here for background on Light and Comfort and the author.