Divine Interruptions
And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto him: and when he was come near, he asked him, Saying, What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight. (Luke 18:40-41)
Experts agree that a staggering amount of time is consumed each day by interruptions. Whether at work or at home, a phone call or an unexpected visit can easily deflect us from what we feel is our main purpose.
Not many of us like disruptions in our daily lives, especially when they cause inconvenience or a change of plans. But Jesus treated what appeared to be interruptions in a far different way. Time after time in the Gospels, we see the Lord stop what He is doing to help a person in need.
While Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem where He would be crucified, a blind man begging by the side of the road called out, “Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me!” (Luke 18:35–38). Some in the crowd told him to be quiet, but he kept calling out to Jesus. Jesus stopped and asked the man, “What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight. And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee” (vv. 41–42).
When our plans are interrupted by someone who genuinely needs help, we can ask the Lord for wisdom in how to respond with compassion. What we call an interruption may be a divine appointment the Lord has scheduled for that day.
Lord Jesus, fill us with Your wisdom and compassion that we may respond as You did to people in need. Amen.
When I read this I smiled. If anyone knows me, they know I most often have a plan for my days and weeks, I’m a planner. But, as I reflected on this devotion I couldn’t help but recall the many times God has interrupted my day with His plans and I wouldn’t have had it any other way. In the moment I may have felt a bit frazzled and even a little frustrated but He has always used those as opportunities to teach me and to bless me and to show me His mighty Hand at work in my life and in those He unexpectedly places in my life that day. I can’t help but be in awe of His hand at work in my life. It’s important as we go through our day that we allow God’s plans to take precedence over any plans we have because His plans are far greater and far more important than we could ever imagine.
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Luke 18:35-43
Expect and Extend Mercy
When I complained that a friend’s choices were leading her deeper into sin and how her actions affected me, the woman I prayed with weekly placed her hand over mine. “Let’s pray for all of us.”
I frowned. “All of us?”
“Yes,” she said. “Aren’t you the one who always says Jesus sets our standard of holiness, so we shouldn’t compare our sins to the sins of others?”
“That truth hurts a little,” I said, “but you’re right. My judgmental attitude and spiritual pride are no better or worse than her sins.”
“And by talking about your friend, we’re gossiping. So—”
“We’re sinning.” I lowered my head. “Please, pray for us.”
In Luke 18, Jesus shared a parable about two men approaching the temple to pray in very different ways (vv. 9–14). Like the Pharisee, we can become trapped in a circle of comparing ourselves to other people. We can boast about ourselves (vv. 11–12) and live as though we have the right to judge and the responsibility or the power to change others.
But when we look to Jesus as our example of holy living and encounter His goodness firsthand, like the tax collector, our desperate need for God’s grace is magnified (v. 13). As we experience the Lord’s loving compassion and forgiveness personally, we’ll be forever changed and empowered to expect and extend mercy, not condemnation, to others.
Lord, please keep us from falling into the trap of comparing ourselves to others. Mold us and make us more like You. Amen.
When we realize the depth of our need for mercy, we can more readily offer mercy to others.
Another devotion that hit so close to home. I was just having this exact conversation with my husband yesterday. I myself struggle with allowing social media and my opinion of the “sins” and “lies” of others to effect my thoughts and in return I allow bitterness and frustration to take root in my heart and mind and my husband asked me one simple question, what does it profit your soul? I had to pause for a moment, I wrestled with the honest truth to that simple question and I in return responded, nothing, it profits me nothing. It allows the enemy an avenue to use me to gossip, weather I’m “gossiping” to someone else or it’s just in my head, it’s still a thought and gossip should have no place in my life. Just as the devotion stated today, when I give place to that, I am sinning. Empower me today, Lord, to expect and extent mercy, not condemnation, to others. It’s your place to judge and my place to love. Finally, in finishing this, my husband reminded me of a scripture yesterday that came resounding back to me once I read this today and I want to leave you with this scripture to ponder. For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? (Mark 8:36)
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Luke 18:9-14