Spend time in prayer and silence with God asking Him to meet with you and speak to you.
Bible Reading
Then Jesus said to His disciples: “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. So you must obey them and do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. They tie up heavy loads and put them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them. Everything they do is done for men to see: They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long; they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; they love to be greeted in the marketplaces and to have men call them ‘Rabbi.’ The greatest among you will be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites!
– Matthew 23:1-7, 11-13a
Devotion
Jesus showed compassionate mercy toward most people, including those who did not choose to follow Him. Yet, He was very forceful in His condemnation of the religious leaders because they were responsible to shepherd people in the ways of God. Instead they were leading people astray and operating out of evil, selfish motives. The religious leaders hated Jesus because He rebuked their hearts. Spiritual hardness of heart is a condition that occurs over time as people repeatedly refuse to heed God’s words.
The Big Question
Is there any area in your life where you know that God has been trying to get your attention? Have you been resisting His voice? What is He asking you to do?
Conclude your time in prayer and silence reflecting on what God revealed to you today.