One of the resources I am (slowly) working on is a devotional based on every time the Scripture uses the phrase “one day.” There are many pivotal Scriptures and stories on the heels of this idea, and the focus of the devotional will be empowering believers to make a decision that “one day” must become “today” as it relates to embracing and applying the word of God.
And even though I’ve just started this devotional, I wanted to share just one of them with you that I read today, as it resonated deeply in my heart.
“One day Jesus told a story in the form of a parable.” (Luke 8:4–21)
This is the parable of the sower and the four soils—also known as the parable of the farmer who scattered seed. In this parable, the seed represents the word of God, and the soil represents the condition of the human heart.
This parable speaks to the heart condition of those we are trying to reach, but it should also cause us to examine the condition of our own hearts right now. Of the four heart conditions in this passage, which one best describes the one person you are trying to reach in this season? Which one reveals something about your own heart condition in the season of life you are in right now?
- The seed that falls on the footpath represents those who hear the message only to have the devil come and snatch it out of their hearts, keeping them from believing and being saved. As a believer, what truth is the devil trying to replace in your heart with a lie?
- The seeds on the rocky soil represent those who hear the message and receive it with joy, but since they do not have roots, they fall away when temptation strikes. As a believer, is there any temptation in your life that is quenching the Holy Spirit in this season?
- The seeds that fall among the thorns represent those who hear the message, but the word of God is quickly choked out by the cares, riches, and pleasures of this life. As a believer, is there any worry or worldly pleasure that is choking out the fullness of God in your life? Is there anything that you need to surrender to Jesus in this season that is keeping you from experiencing the sweetness of his presence?
But now listen to the way the good soil is described:
“The seeds that fell on the good soil represent honest, good-hearted people, who hear God’s word, cling to it, and patiently produce a huge harvest.” (Luke 8:15)
What a fantastic prayer to pray over our own characters as Christians. “God, help me to simply become an honest, good-hearted person who hears your word, clings to it, and patiently expects a huge harvest through day-to-day faithfulness to you.”
But what is the ultimate key to this prayer becoming reality? The way we hear! In verse 18, Jesus says, “So pay attention to how you hear.” How we hear is everything.
- How do I hear? Do I pay attention, truly listen, and wrap my heart and mind around what God is saying? Is there any part of me that is dismissive rather than submissive to the Word of God?
- How do I hear? With one ear hearing what I want to hear, or am I listening with both ears to hear what I need to hear?
- How do I hear? Do I hear the heart of God behind the words He speaks? Do I hear, trusting that He has the very best for me in mind?
- How do I hear? Do I listen with the intention to apply what I hear to my life? Listen to the profoundness of James 1:22-25:
“Be doers of the word, and not hearers only. Otherwise, you are deceiving yourselves. For anyone who hears the word but does not carry it out is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror, and after observing himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom, and continues to do so—not being a forgetful hearer, but an effective doer—he will be blessed in what he does.”
- How do I hear? Do I hear from God and believe that God’s word is not for me only, but has a direct impact on my witness to the world? Am I mindful that God is trying to magnify his image through me? (This is why the parable pivots in verse 16 to believers being the light of the world. When I embrace his words with my life, my life burns brighter for the world to see. This is the “huge harvest” ultimately referred to in verse 15.)
How well we hear is everything—in our marriages, in our parenting, in our professional life, and in all close relationships. In our relationship with the Lord, may we hear more clearly and apply what God says more consistently.
May “one day” become “today!”
