Can you really see faith grow? – July 17, 2023

Read: Isaiah 55:6-11

As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
As the rain and the snow
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire.
Isaiah 55:9-11

Can you really see faith grow?

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Recently a pastor visited a young man who had very little interest in Christianity. He said he believed in science and evolution, not the fairy tales of faith. “I am no longer a Christian,” he bluntly said.

The pastor listened as the young man listed his objections to belief in God. He responded with a few ideas from the Scriptures worth thinking about. As the discussion continued, the pastor observed how the young man’s arms remained crossed, and his ears seemed closed. He wondered if the meeting was a complete waste of time for both of them.

About a week later, he got the shock of his life. The young man and his girlfriend attended a worship service.

Why was the pastor so surprised? He heard the young man’s words and saw his reaction. But should the pastor have been surprised? God promises that his word works. He compares his Word to drops of rain falling from heaven. In the moment, we can’t see how the water is nourishing the plants. But after a few days, we can see new growth.

God’s Word works much like God’s world. When we talk about Jesus, we might not see how this message is nourishing a thirsty soul. But over time, if the person doesn’t continually resist, they will grow in faith and love.

So, don’t waste your time trying to detect if God’s Word is working. Continue to share the message of Jesus, and like the rain from heaven, that message will cause people to grow.

Closing Prayer:

Lord God, thank you for the good news of Jesus. This good news brought me to faith and will work in the lives of others. Amen.

The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.

Questions for Younger Children

• When you look at the grass, can you tell if it’s growing? Why or why not?
• When you look at other people, can you tell if their faith is growing? Why or why not?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• Do you have any plants in your house? What would happen if you never watered them?
• What happens to our faith and the faith of our friends if we never hear the Word of God?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• What are some of the reasons it can be so hard to talk about your faith?
• Who is one person that you know needs to hear the message of Jesus? How might you share that message with them?