July 3, 2024 Devo

They released a new drug today to slow the onset of Alzheimer’s. It caught my attention because my father struggled with that disease for the last five or six years of his life. He died in 2001. Isn’t it interesting how they can work on something for over twenty years and then, suddenly, boom! There’s a breakthrough. I know it’s not a cure, but it’s a start. Breakthroughs open the door for the answers to come pouring in.
It’s the same way with people. You can talk to people about God, share what He’s done for you, and invite them to church, but they still don’t accept Him and follow Him until somewhere along the way, they have a breakthrough. Something happens. Something “clicks.” Something causes the scales to fall from their eyes and causes their hearts to be open. In a moment, years of sharing and encouraging come to fruition. All because the clouds in their minds and hearts parted…and they were able to hear and see God for themselves.
Our passage today reminded me of that. The woman at the well was telling everyone about what Jesus had said to her. They were intrigued by her testimony. They were moved by her newfound “religion.” They were curious enough to come to the well and invite Him to hang around for a while. And He did. That’s when they had their breakthrough. Look at how they phrased it. “Now we believe, not just because of what you told us, but because we have heard him ourselves. Now we know that he is indeed the Savior of the world.” Key in on that phrase, “we have heard him ourselves.” That’s what has to happen for everyone. They have to hear the voice of God for themselves.
As you pray for your friends and family who don’t know Jesus, let this be a guide to help you pray more specifically. Not just that they’ll come to church, pick up a Bible, or meet another Christian. Pray that they’ll have a breakthrough. Pray that the scales will fall from their eyes, that the clouds in their minds will part, and that the doors of their heart and soul will open. Pray that those who need Him will do more than just hear another sermon or see another billboard. Pray that they’ll hear the voice of Jesus for themselves. Because that’s when the magic happens, and the breakthrough finally comes. That’s God’s Word for you today.