The Unsteady Faith
ICS Daily Devotions
Mark 4:16-17 (NKJV) These likewise are the ones sown on stony ground who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness; and they have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises for the word’s sake, immediately they stumble.
This stony ground is a place where there is a layer of limestone embedded in the ground or a field with rocks that has a thin layer of earth. The seed in the above passage was sown on the ground where the earth is shallow. Therefore, it cannot take root because there is no depth.
The Bible says that these people receive the Word with gladness in their hearts. These are the ones who are happy to receive what they perceive as a quick fix in their lives. They will attempt to try to apply the Word and expect a quick result, but they are not able to withstand the challenges that come their way.
The Word of God helps us to know God. We need to allow the Word that we have heard to take root in our hearts by meditating on it because it is the Word that gives substance to our faith. Faith is developed through a deep trust in God and His Word, and doesn’t work without a relationship with God. We need to know God by reading His Word, praying and being dependent on Him through living a consecrated life. We believe in the inspiration and the authority of the Word of God.
This passage acts as a warning to us that we should be watchful against the work of the devil, and be wise to know his schemes to steal the seed from us. The devil uses all kinds of tribulation, persecution, deceitfulness of riches and the desires of the world to uproot, steal or cause the Word to be unfruitful in our lives. Therefore, we have to be vigilant to ensure that he does not succeed.
There is tremendous power in the seed, but it can only germinate, grow, and take root under the right condition. If we realise that we belong to this category of being a stony ground, we will need to deal with this heart condition, because we don’t want to stumble, but to protect the Word in our hearts.
Remember, there will always be persecution and tribulation in our Christian walks. The devil is there to force us to give up our conviction on God’s Word by stealing it from our lives. Therefore, let us not be naïve! Do not be the person who is happy to be saved but unaware of the price of being a Christian. Let us be immovable in our conviction.
Sermon Series: Don’t Let It Be Stolen
