Daily Devo: January 24, 2025
Frustratingly Patient
Matthew 13:31-33
'He told another parable to them: “ The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and planted in his field. It’s the smallest of all seeds. But when it’s grown, it’s the largest of all vegetable plants. It becomes a tree so that the birds in the sky come and nest in its branches. ”
He told them another parable: “ The kingdom of heaven is like yeast, which a woman took and hid in a bushel of wheat flour until the yeast had worked its way through all the dough. ”
Have you ever prayed and wanted God to move in your life only to feel…nothing? God can be frustratingly patient with us.
For the people who first heard Jesus’ parables, they expected God’s kingdom to arrive with great fanfare and overwhelming power. It was going to come with a bang! Big, bombastic, sweeping change would happen. Yet, Jesus comes talking about tiny seeds and yeast and baking bread. “The kingdom has drawn near!” Jesus says to begin his ministry. It’s already here! Maybe you missed it.
Jesus knows that God’s kingdom arrives like a tiny seed or a bit of yeast in dough—barely noticeable in the beginning but destined to grow. This is reminiscent of God’s word to his people through the prophet Zechariah. When the temple was being rebuilt upon the people’s return from exile, the work was slow, and they were losing heart. God spoke, saying, “Do not despise small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin.”
Have your prayers been slow to produce fruit? God can be frustratingly patient. But, just as seeds take time to germinate and yeast takes time to leaven, so too, the work of the Holy Spirit takes time to work through our lives. It starts small, but it is destined to grow. Do not despise small beginnings. Trust that God rejoices to spend simple time in prayer with you.
In what areas of your life do you need greater patience? Where are you hoping for explosive change, but God is currently moving in small and steady ways? May this be your prayer today:
Lord, help me to trust Your slow work in me.
Do you know someone who is starting a new venture – starting a new family, a new job, a new business, or maybe just entering a new season in life? May this be your prayer today:
Lord, help _____ to trust Your slow work in them.
May what is now small grow into something great that can be a place of shelter for others.
Matthew 13:31-33
'He told another parable to them: “ The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and planted in his field. It’s the smallest of all seeds. But when it’s grown, it’s the largest of all vegetable plants. It becomes a tree so that the birds in the sky come and nest in its branches. ”
He told them another parable: “ The kingdom of heaven is like yeast, which a woman took and hid in a bushel of wheat flour until the yeast had worked its way through all the dough. ”
Have you ever prayed and wanted God to move in your life only to feel…nothing? God can be frustratingly patient with us.
For the people who first heard Jesus’ parables, they expected God’s kingdom to arrive with great fanfare and overwhelming power. It was going to come with a bang! Big, bombastic, sweeping change would happen. Yet, Jesus comes talking about tiny seeds and yeast and baking bread. “The kingdom has drawn near!” Jesus says to begin his ministry. It’s already here! Maybe you missed it.
Jesus knows that God’s kingdom arrives like a tiny seed or a bit of yeast in dough—barely noticeable in the beginning but destined to grow. This is reminiscent of God’s word to his people through the prophet Zechariah. When the temple was being rebuilt upon the people’s return from exile, the work was slow, and they were losing heart. God spoke, saying, “Do not despise small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin.”
Have your prayers been slow to produce fruit? God can be frustratingly patient. But, just as seeds take time to germinate and yeast takes time to leaven, so too, the work of the Holy Spirit takes time to work through our lives. It starts small, but it is destined to grow. Do not despise small beginnings. Trust that God rejoices to spend simple time in prayer with you.
In what areas of your life do you need greater patience? Where are you hoping for explosive change, but God is currently moving in small and steady ways? May this be your prayer today:
Lord, help me to trust Your slow work in me.
Do you know someone who is starting a new venture – starting a new family, a new job, a new business, or maybe just entering a new season in life? May this be your prayer today:
Lord, help _____ to trust Your slow work in them.
May what is now small grow into something great that can be a place of shelter for others.
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