DAY 11: WHAT HINDERS OUR INTIMACY WITH CHRIST

DAY 11: WHAT HINDERS OUR INTIMACY WITH CHRIST

SCRIPTURE:

Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. Matthew 13:22

OBSERVATION:

Day 11 focuses our attention on the response of those who received seed among thorns. The soil is representative of our hearts. When there are many thorns in our hearts, we might still hear the Word of God, but because of our many worries and concerns, the effect of the Word is unfruitful for we quickly become distracted by other things.

What are the thorns? The Scripture mentions two facets, the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches. On the one hand are the worries of this life – what will I eat? What will I wear? Will I marry? Whom will I marry? How can I secure my children’s future? How can I make ends meet? How can I secure my retirement? Is my country going down the drain? Should I migrate? In this life, there are truly so many worries. If we let ourselves become beset by worries, we lose sight of God and His promises. We forget that God knows the number of hairs on our heads. We forget that God is in control of everything.

What is the deceitfulness of wealth? This seems to indicate greed for money in particular or fear of losing money? Money has a particular power to grab a hold of people. Some hoard money and live in fear of losing their money, forgetting they can’t bring a single cent with them when they leave the earth. Some hunger so much after money, they quickly run after any scheme with promise of wealth. In the name of money, they quickly compromise their moral standards and are never truly satisfied with what they have.

Regarding hearing the Word, we should take note that the Word here is in respect of Rhema, the spoken Word of God. He speaks to us through a Scripture that suddenly jumps up at us, or through an impression, or through a still small voice, or an image, or a dream. God speaks to us now one way, now another, but whichever way He speaks, it will be consistent with His principles and personality shown to us through the Bible. How precious it is to hear the Rhema of God!

APPLICATION:

To hear the Rhema of God consistently and frequently, it is important for us to put aside the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth. Where we are tempted to get worried, let us instead pray, and cast our worries on the Lord who will give us peace. When we are tempted by wealth, let us remember that it is only of temporal value, and will pass away. Once our heart is clear before God, then let us listen for His voice with both ears and our heart. Let us expect to hear from Him, for He does speak and produces faith in us when we hear His voice. As we hear Him more, our faith grows, and so too our fruit, and the intimacy of our relationship with Him.

PRAYER:

Dear Heavenly Father, praise be to Your Holy name! We thank You, Lord, for Your love for us, and we thank You that You desire to commune with us and speak to us in an intimate relationship. Father Lord, create in us a pure heart, we pray. Teach us to set aside our worries of this life and also to guard our hearts against the deceitfulness of wealth. Teach us to have clear, honest hearts before You, that we may be ready and prepared to listen for Your voice. Speak to us we pray, that we may grow in faith, and fruit! May Your name be praised forever. In Jesus name, Amen.