The Daily Word: Thursday, April 2nd, 2020
Deuteronomy 21:1-22:30
Luke 9:51-10:12
Psalm 74:1-23
Proverbs 12:11
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Commentary from Pastor Michael White:
And another also said, “Lord, I will follow You, but let me first go and bid them farewell who are at my house.” But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” – Lk. 9:61-62
Following Jesus is costly. Your friends and family members may not understand why you love Jesus the way you do. Your co-workers may not be able to reconcile why you spend so much time in prayer and fasting! But if you’re going to follow Jesus, here is what you need to know up front: Don’t look back.
You will be tempted to give up. You will be tempted to build up “treasures on earth” instead of “treasures in heaven” (Matt. 6:19-20). You will have great moments of victory and breakthrough! But you will also have agonizing moments where you don’t understand why healing didn’t come. You will have to say goodbye to the old you – the “old man” (Col. 3:9) – and be, “…transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Rom. 12:2).
But know this. Following Jesus is worth it! Don’t wait until things get difficult to make the determination that you will follow Him no matter what. Decide now that you will follow Him, and never look back. And when you meet Him face to face, you will enjoy the fruit of your decision for all eternity.
“But he who endures to the end shall be saved. “ – Matt. 24:13
Prayer:
Father, help me to set my eyes on Jesus and keep them there. I don’t want to daydream about my old life. I want to live for You! I want to put my hand to the plow and never look back. Keep me focused, and remind me that following You is worth it, in Jesus’ name!
Archives
See commentary from this day in 2014.
See commentary from this day in 2015.
See commentary from this day in 2016.
See commentary from this day in 2017.
See commentary from this day in 2018.
See commentary from this day in 2019.
© Michael D. White, 2020. All rights reserved.