Daily Devotional

For eighteen years, the Pharisees watched the woman come in and out of the temple, and not once did they feel any concern for her. Even when Jesus cured her, instead of rejoicing and thanking God for her, they took offence at Jesus and were plotting how to kill Jesus. As a church leader, have I become a Pharisee of sorts? Am I sincerely interested in the welfare of my flock, or am I only concerned with what I can gain from them?

“If you do afflict them, and they cry out to me, I will surely hear their cry; and my wrath will burn, and I will kill you with the sword, and your wives shall become widows and your children fatherless.” (Exodus 22:23-24). Proverbs further drives this point home: “He who closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself cry out and not be heard.” (Proverbs 21:13).

A man planted a fig tree, but it only took up space on the ground instead of bearing fruit. It consistently missed the mark. It failed to meet its owner’s expectations. Since it wasn’t bearing fruit, the owner decided to cut it down (so its wood could be used for something else), but the vinedresser pleaded for one more year. The best time to repent is today. You never can tell if today is your last chance.