ICS Daily Devotions
Grow Deep Roots
Matt 13:20-21 Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth. But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away. But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles.
In this parable, Jesus described some seeds that fell upon stony places. Palestine had a lot of rocks, where the soil above was often just a thin layer. Without adequate soil to grow roots, such seeds would wither away easily. This suggests the kind of enthusiastic response we often see in new church goers who seem very excited to hear the Word of God, but a few months later, that enthusiasm would be gone.
One of the devil’s tactics is to put affliction and tribulation in your path to steal the Word from you and to pressurize you into giving up—sifting your faith as he tried to do to Peter. He wants you to stumble, be offended by the circumstances and to think that God gave you the affliction and tribulation. Because man is used to “seeing is believing”, you may encounter circumstances contrary to what you are believing. However, the Bible says it is through faith and patience that we inherit the promises of God. Faith is the substance of things hope for, the evidence of things not seen. Therefore, the way to overcome the devil is to hold on to our faith. Your conviction of the truth and the character of God is the root that holds you down firmly, and it has to be stronger in order to overcome the affliction and tribulation!
Psa 1:2-3 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.
If you fall into this category, know that persecution and pressure come because they are the devil’s tactics against you. Lift your eyes from the circumstances and stand on the Word of God and His character! Refuse to be offended but press into God and His Word because it is the Word that will lead you out of the wilderness and cause you to triumph in life!
Sermon Series: Breaking Free – What Jesus Want Us to Know
