Daily Scripture Reading: Luke 14:23 KJV
Luke 14:23 KJV
(23) And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.
Today’s Devotional Is COMPULSION
We cannot imagine the longing for God’s love for men. He sees us become absorbed in farming, industry, business, pleasure, our families, and realizes that all of these things will soon be forgotten, like a dream before the dawn of eternity. He longs for us to be truly satisfied with abiding joys.
He makes His Feast abundant and ready (Isa_25,6; Isa_55,1-2). A banquet is a time of joy. The guests enjoy the conversation, laughter, sharing of good food, and the exchange of friendships and fellowship as they sit down together. All that God has to offer in a feast is ours. He gives us abundantly all things to enjoy. It is strange that men are coerced into giving up their seats at the table God has prepared for them, even though they have been mocked by the Evil One!
Although the Jewish people were initially invited to bid, they were too busy with material things to accept the gracious invitation. These excuses were stupid and shallow. The real reason is in the inability of the soul to awaken to the life that is life! However, God’s love cannot be defeated (Luk_13.28-30; Act_13.45-48).
“Go out onto the highways, and hedges.” This is our job as His servants! The high-roads are where commerce and pleasure flows, as well as weddings and funerals, businessmen, statesmen, young women, housewives, and children. The quiet, secluded lanes of country-side are known as the hedgerows. They are now covered in spring flowers and then again with autumn colors. While the modern motor car and the slow-jogging country wagon are both symbols of different ways of living, the messages of Good News must be shared with all who use them. Let’s go out and force them to enter so that the Master’s House can be filled.
PRAYER for Today
Our Lord, grant mercy to all who refuse Thy invitation! We beg of thee to remove all ignorance, hardness of spirit, and contempt for Thy Word from our hearts. AMEN.