Thy kingdom Come

​Today’s devotion is based on Luke 9:62, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”

Today’s text is part of the account of Jesus talking to the rich young man who did not want to give up his lifestyle to follow Jesus.  While we can excuse ourselves from the story because we are not rich, we are still guilty of not following Jesus as he says we should.  How many times have we put other things ahead of Bible study, attending worship, or praying?  I stand guilty, for too many times I put something in my life ahead of following Jesus.

We all need to recall Jesus’ words about the seed sown among the thistles.  It is not just the apparent sins that can keep a person away from God. Our honorable duties, daily obligations, and things we think cannot be neglected can keep us from following Jesus as he desires.

God created us to live with him, through him, for him, and to him.  We can’t do that without his Word, for it is through his Word that God begins and sustains with us.  To keep a healthy relationship with God, we must put God first in our lives. It is not easy, but we can all do better with God’s help.
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Please pray with me the prayer for today: Lord, remind me every day that I need to seek your kingdom first through your Word. I know that without the Word, I cannot come to faith.  I know that I need to spend time in your Word to sustain my faith.  I know these things, yet I often fail at keeping you first.  Please forgive me and strengthen me to do better at following you, for you are my salvation.  In Jesus’ holy name, I pray.  Amen.