You have been invited, are you coming? - Daily Devotional July 21st

Daily Bible Reading Plan - 2 Samuel 6, Jeremiah 11, Matthew 22

You have been invited, are you coming? (Matthew 22:1-14)

I love weddings, there is just something about watching the bride walk down the isle looking so beautiful and seeing the look on the grooms face as she approaches. All the guests look their best, women in their dresses and men in their suits (for some it is the first and only time you will find them in a suit). The moment I receive a wedding invitation it goes directly on the refrigerator and the date goes on my calendar with an alarm scheduled to sound the day before. There is no chance I will miss that day.

In Matthew Jesus is telling His disciples a parable, the kingdom of heaven is compared to a king giving a wedding feast. In this story we see that everything was ready for the feast to begin but the guests had not arrived. The servants went out and called all those who were invited to come but none would come, each one of them were more concerned about their own lives and businesses. They ignored the invitation so the king instructs his servants to go out into the roads and invite as many as they could find. They did just that and the wedding was filled with guests.

Each of us has been given an invitation to come into relationship with our Heavenly Father. The invitation comes not once or twice but multiple times. The Lord is calling us daily into relationship with Him. The question however is not whether you have received that invitation, instead what are you doing about that invitation? Are you putting it aside because you are so busy or because your friend or family member has decided they are not going to attend? Have you told yourself that when you get a little older you will be ready and will respond to the invitation?

We see in 2 Samuel 6:12-23, King David bringing the ark of the Lord back into the city. The ark represented the presence of God. The presence of the Lord was returning to the city and all the people were gathered to be a part of the moment. All except Michal. She sat from a distance and watched, despising David as he danced before the ark. After the ark was brought in all the people that were gathered to witness the coming of the ark received a gift of bread, meat and cake then departed to their homes. Michal however did not receive the same gift, instead because she neglected the coming of the presence of the Lord and chose to despise those who rejoiced at the coming, she was barren (had no children) to the day of her death.

There is a great reward for those who respond to the invitation of the Lord. That reward is life and life more abundant here on earth. Beyond life here on earth it is eternity in heaven with our Lord and Savior. Revelations 3:20 says "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me." He has sent His invitation to you, are you coming?

Tomorrow's Bible Reading - 2 Samuel 7, Jeremiah 12, Matthew 23

Enjoying the Journey,
Katie