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Today's Devotion
From Dr. David Jeremiah
Embrace the Word
April 9, 2026
When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart.
Matthew 13:19
Recommended Reading:
Matthew 4:1-114 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. 3 Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”4 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’”[{{f}}]5 Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written:‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’and,‘In their hands they shall bear you up,Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’”[{{f}}]7 Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’”[{{f}}]8 Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.”10 Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you,[d] Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’”[{{f}}]11 Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.
Matthew 4:1-11
Most Americans know who said, “Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.” (President John F. Kennedy) The most important words of famous people are usually well known. But one of the most important things Jesus said is hardly known at all.
It is found in Mark’s account of Jesus’ famous parable about the sower, seeds, and soils (Mark 4:1-20). Mark quotes Jesus as saying, “Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables?” (verse 13) Jesus seemed to say that this parable was key to understanding the rest of His parables. Why? Because it has to do with hearing and receiving the Word of God. And specifically the possibility that Satan is ready to snatch the Word away when it is not readily embraced.
It is important not to read or hear the Word of God carelessly. Don’t give Satan an opportunity to deny or counterfeit God’s truth by treating it lightly.
As seed is made for soil and soil for seed, so the heart is made for God’s truth and God’s truth for the heart.
Richard Glover
