Daily Devotions
Hungry for the Word
Reading for April 25th: 2 Kings 12-14
Weekly reading for April 19-25: Acts 6-10
"Now therefore we are all here in the presence of God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord."
Acts 10:33
According to a Barna survey last year, Church attendance has been in decline over the last ten years from 43% in 2004 to 36% today. Although that statistic might be discouraging, that same survey revealed some encouraging news. Among those who attend church regularly, the top two motivations to attend were to be closer to God (44%) and to learn more about God (27%). So while overall church attendance may be going down, those who are attending may not be as shallow as we might think.
So, my exhortation today is for those of us who preach and teach. If someone came up to you on Sunday and said, "We're all here in the presence of God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord," would you be able to deliver? Or would your lesson be full of fluff and stories and anecdotes that have little to do with God's Word?
So I say this to my preaching and teaching brothers: don't let the apathy and indifference of society discourage you. We must preach the Word "in season and out of season." And while those who aren't in the pew may suggest the Word is out of season, those who are showing up may be more hungry for God's Word than we might think.
Father, grant us that with all boldness we might preach and teach Your Word.
