Jesus concluded with these words as He finished telling the parable of the laborers which begins in verse 1 of this chapter. Jesus used this parable about a landowner to illustrate the kingdom of God. The time of the parable is a single workday, and at various times throughout the day the landowner goes to the marketplace to seek out workers for his vineyard and puts them to work. Some were hired first thing in the morning, while others were hired very near the end of working hours. When it came time to pay the workers, the landowner paid them, starting with the workers who came the latest and ending up with those who arrived first. The workers who worked the least were given a day’s wage, causing the workers who worked the most hours to expect a greater wage for the day, but they were paid a day’s wage as agreed upon when they hired on. They were quite upset and murmured against the landowner at their perceived inequity. The landowner answered one of them by saying, “Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a [day’s wage]?” (Matthew 20:13).

This parable presents a wonderful illustration of the heart of God. Some people give their lives to the Lord at an early age and serve the Lord for a lifetime, while others may not be brought into the kingdom until a very advanced age. God’s heart is for the lost, and He sent His Son Jesus so that by His grace anyone can be saved at any point in their lives thereby assuring their eternal destiny with God. God joyfully accepts anyone who at any point in their life turns to Him, each receiving the same adoption into His family and eternal life with Him. Perhaps you have witnessed to an older person who has said that it is too late for them to come to the Lord because of all the sin over the course of their life. That is not the heart of God; His calling is to all and the heavenly reward is the same for the latecomers as it is for those who come to Him at an early age.

Jeff Mericle

So much about living the Christian life is about proper perspective. When our eyes are opened to the truths of the Lord and we see things for how they are, we are overjoyed that Jesus saved us. However, being attached to this body of flesh, we still have desires that have to be bridled because it’s easy for our flesh to increase unhealthy desire for the things of this world.

In this proverb, we are reminded of what brings greater value to the quality of life we have on this earth. It’s far better to know Jesus than to have a ton of money and possessions that usually end up causing more strife than life. It is better to eat a can of beans with people you love than to enjoy the finest of foods with people who can’t stand you.

It’s all about perspective and what we learn in the New Testament is that Jesus gives us everything we need to fill our souls with things that bring joy and eternal blessing. Yes, there are some very nice things in this world, but all of that stuff always lets you down and doesn’t feed your soul.

Totally satisfied with Jesus,

Pastor Jason Witt

I have heard a lot of people talk about what brings them anxiety. Paul is commanding us here to be anxious for nothing or better yet don’t be troubled with cares. You’d be wrong to think God is not concerned about what makes you anxious. Paul tells us to give it to God. Open the line of communication with God by prayer and with supplication, ask God to do something.

Jesus commands us in Matthew 6:25 not to worry about life. The word worry here is a different word than the one in Philippians, but also means to be anxious. Being anxious removes us from being a child of the house to being the father of the house. A position that, as children of God, belongs to God.

So make your request known to God. Tell Him everything, big or small. Because the verse that follows says “and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts…” (Philippians 4:7).

Joshua Navarro

In the book of Lamentations, we find the people of Israel engulfed in despair. Their future appears to be without hope. Overtaken and headed for the unknown, sorrow seems to be the only thing left to express. Yet, in the midst of the storm, a ray of truth beams brightly through the darkness, as this verse testifies.

Like the Israelites, you and I can find ourselves held captive by overwhelming circumstances, with our physical resources exhausted and our plans in ruins. Know this; “through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not.”

God’s love, goodness, forgiveness, and faithfulness are fresh this and every morning. His compassion toward you has no limits, neither by time nor amount of need.

We live in a world filled with broken promises and disappointment, a world filled with people who are unfaithful, including ourselves. Isn’t it satisfying to know that we are never without the faithful mercies and compassions of our God? Today, let’s take a moment to thank Him and exclaim, “Great is Your faithfulness!”

Jeff Deal

God is so good at revealing Himself to us, and many times He uses pictures and examples so that we don’t miss the things He wants us to see. Here God will use Hosea’s home, his marriage, and children to show the people of Israel His heart toward those He calls His own. Hosea is told by the Lord, “Go, take yourself a wife of harlotry” who would bear “children out of her harlotry.” He was to marry a woman who would sell herself to others. She would then forsake the one who loves her most. This was a picture of what God’s children were doing.

We aren’t told how Hosea felt about all of this, but we know that when he entered into this marriage, he understood what was ahead. He saw it as a calling and he made the decision to obey the Lord in it. It wouldn’t be easy for him; his home and marriage wouldn’t be a place of comfort or blessing. His heart would be broken again and again, but he went into this knowing that God was with him.

It’s a great picture of how we can and should serve the Lord in whatever place or situation He has sent us. As we rely upon the Lord’s power and the Spirit of God in us, our service will reveal God’s heart of love toward us and to others as well.

Pastor Doug Hardin

If the Lord were to come back today, would you be confident or ashamed of the life that you are living? Notice that John says “when” He appears and not “if.” There is no question the Day of the Lord is drawing near, and if you study end-time prophecy, you can see that everything is in place for His return. John warns us to be ready so that when He returns we may have confidence before Him. How can we have confidence? By abiding in Him. The word abide means to dwell or remain fixed in. By staying in His word and walking in His ways, you can have confidence in the day of His return. I am living for that day and pray that I am found faithful.

For the King,

Pastor Daniel Batistelli

There are so many wonderful things that the Lord has granted us. We read how He grants us wisdom, knowledge, strength, healing, and eternal life. That is only a few of the things! Paul says in the above verse we have been granted two awesome things. The first being our belief in Him. The second, and probably least enjoyed, to suffer for His sake. The sufferings we undertake for our faith are not throwing God for a loop or catching Him off guard in anyway, but they have been granted to us, meaning they are something we can actually take pleasure in. Maybe that’s not what you expected to read today. Take joy in the sufferings that are faced for the name of Jesus, just like the followers in Acts 5:41. Rejoice knowing that you are His forever!

Resting in Him,

Pastor Sean Boehm

Sometimes it’s healthy and helpful to not only remember that we are saved but to contemplate what we’ve been saved from. Here David describes three aspects of our sinful nature. “Transgression” (peshah)– a going away, a departure, or a rebellion. “Sin” (chattath) – coming short, or falling short of the mark, an arrow that not only misses the target but falls short of it. “Iniquity” (hawon) – corrupt, twisted, or crooked.

When we surrender to Christ, God blesses us by “forgiving” – literally it means to have our sins “lifted off.” By “covering” – atoned for by the blood of the lamb (OT) and Jesus’ precious blood (NT). And He “does not impute” – does not count, will not keep in a ledger or record. It’s wiped clean. And if we are honest with God and ourselves (no deceit), we can walk in the blessed assurance of our salvation.

Good reminder,

Pastor Gerard Deleeuw

Have you ever compiled a list of all of the things God has done for you? If you’re a Christian, He’s saved you and you’re going to Heaven for eternity. He’s forgiven you of your sins and given you the power to defeat them. The list could just start there and go on and on.

It’s important to remember all of these blessings when things aren’t going so well, like they are in the world nowadays. Maybe your marriage is hurting or you’re having problems paying the bills because you lost your job during this pandemic. But if God has been there for you in the past, won’t He also be there for you in the future?

This is a trap the writer of this Psalm, Asaph, fell into a lot. He always looked around at the wicked and saw them prospering and it hindered his faith for a time. Then he would remember the Lord and His promises, along with His past actions, and it would restore his soul.

Is the Lord for you or against you? Make a list, I think the answer is clear.

Thanking the Lord for all His benefits,

Pastor Ron Kitchell

I love the thoughtfulness that the Proverbs provoke and the insight the Lord gives us through them. Look at our example this morning. A word that is delivered at the right time is like an apple of gold set in a setting of silver. An expensive sculpture in gold of an apple would surely draw attention to the fact it is set in a far less valuable setting of silver. The contrast would bear notice.

Solomon’s intended lesson for us is to say how rare it is to find fitting words, ones spoken at the right time and received to the benefit of the hearer. So today ask the Lord to use you to deliver a word from Him at the right time and for the blessing of the hearer. May you be his mouthpiece to bless!

May I speak Your Word well, Lord,

Pastor Jack Abeelen