Irvin Wasswa- Tylertown Campus Pastor LHBC
Luke 12:54-56
54 He also said to the crowds, “When you see a cloud rising in the west, you say at once, ‘A shower is coming.’ And so it happens. 55 And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, ‘There will be scorching heat,’ and it happens. 56 You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?
“Mr. Know it All.” That name was what my mother used to call me quite a bit growing up back in the Dallas area. I never really was considered a bad child, however I was very inquisitive and always sought to debate my mom on certain issues. Whether it was me arguing with her about how much time I had before I needed to fill up the gas tank, or debating with her when I needed to study, in my mind I always had a “right” answer for my mom. What I came to find out was that she was pretty much always right and I was pretty much always wrong. As the ol’ proverbial saying goes, “Mama always knows best.”
See, back in my youth (and even some today) I struggled with the reality of being “too smart for my own good.” I thought I was smarter and knew more than my own mother who brought me into the world. In the same way, we see a group of people in Luke 12 that were the same way. The crowd of thousands of people who were gathered to listen to Jesus heard Him share Luke 12:54-56. Jesus shared the reality of them being able to know the signs of the weather. They could predict when it was going to rain and when it was going to be hot, yet they were not able to see and understand what was happening in the present time: The Messiah they had been waiting for was in their midst. They missed Jesus.
Many of those in the crowd heard Jesus’ teaching before. Many had visibly witnessed Jesus perform miracles, yet they did not believe. They were too smart for their own good. They could not perceive/comprehend the reality that the Savior of the world would come from a town like Nazareth. They could not understand how Jesus could be the Messiah yet work on the Sabbath by healing a man, or how He could hang out with sinners. Jesus did not fit the description of the Messiah in the minds of the people based on their perceptions of Him. They were too smart for their own good.
If we are not careful my friend, we too can fall into that same trap when it comes to our faith. When the Lord calls us to step out in faith and share the gospel, our response is no because we think they are “too far gone.” When God calls us to step out and give, we say no because we think there is no way we can take care of the bills if we do. We can’t serve in that position even when God tells us to because we think we are not ready. It is so easy to fall into that trap of basically saying we know and understand more than God does.
Maybe you feel that way today, but can I encourage you? Listen, the Bible tells us that God is Omniscient (All-Knowing- Psalm 139:4; Psalm 147:5; 1 John 3:20). He knows what He is doing calling you and your family out to step out in faith. So choose to respond in faith when He calls. Don’t be too smart for your own good. Instead choose to “interpret the present time.” God wants to use you and your family in a mighty way in this season. Choose to say yes when He calls, to step out in faith and share the Gospel with that co-worker, serve in that ministry, give that gift above your tithe to the church. By faith, choose to step out believing that what the Lord has called you to He will see it through!
Hebrews 11:6: And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for your love for me. Thank you for your grace in my life for the times I struggle to trust in You. Help me to have faith to answer in obedience when you call me, trusting in your plan for my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Song of Worship for Today: Give Me Faith- Elevation Worship
MEMORY VERSE OF THE WEEK:
Psalm 63:3
Because Your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise You.