Devotion for Tuesday, February 20, 2024

“But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, “You offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?” (Matthew 3:7)

The goats and others who hate the Lord are often in the mix.  The devil hates the Lord and will do whatever he can to derail what the Lord is doing.  Do not think it is different in your fellowship.  Sadly, it is not.  But so what?  Will that change how you behave as one called by the Lord to learn how to be faithful and conformed to the image of Christ?  Will you listen to those whose father is the devil or to the Savior of your soul?

Come, Lord Jesus, and lead me in the way of everlasting life.  Help me to understand that those around me are in all kinds of places.  Saul (Paul) may have been one of those brood of vipers, and Your Holy Spirit used this to begin awakening his heart.  I do not know who is where.  All I know is that You have called me through my own baptism to come and follow You.  Let me be one who knows to flee wrath and live in Your promise.

Lord Jesus, You know what I need.  I may think I know, but I do not.  Lead me in the way of salvation that You have prepared.  Help me to have deaf ears to those who hate You.  Help me to hear Your word alone to guide me into all righteousness.  Let me not act as one of the offspring of vipers, but as a child of the Heavenly Father in the making.  Guide me today and forever through Your grace and mercy.  Amen.