March 14, 2026 Devo

Several years ago, I read a fascinating book called “The Man Who Listens To Horses.” It’s the story of horse trainer Monty Roberts, who is the basis of the movie “The Horse Whisperer,” starring Robert Redford. The big idea of the book is about connecting and communicating. One of the parts that I thought was so interesting was the patience that he described you have to exercise. You couldn’t rush the horse, especially one that had been treated roughly in the past, into trusting you. Gentleness and waiting were what opened the door.
Isaiah reminds us that God is the same way with us. He doesn’t try to beat us into submission. He doesn’t try to force us to trust Him or do what He says. The Israelites turned away from Him, and He let them go. They tried to do their own thing, and He let them do it. When they got threatened, instead of turning back to God, they tried to hire Egypt for protection and deliverance. It wasn’t going to work, but God let them go.
God is so wise. He knew something that it took me many years in ministry to learn. You can’t help anyone who doesn’t want help. Read that sentence again. It’ll set you free. Some of us spend an inordinate amount of time trying to change people who don’t want to change. We plead, we bribe, and we threaten, trying to get people to do or be what WE want them to do or be. But in the end, they don’t. Not until THEY want it.
Read the story of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15. The younger son asks for his inheritance and blows it all on wild living. He goes from place to place, broke and hungry. Where is the father all during this time? He’s home waiting. He loved his son. He wanted nothing more than to help him live a full and satisfying life. But he couldn’t lavish his love on his son until his son did something first. The son had to want his father’s love and guidance. So the father waited for the son to come home. When he did, his father ran to meet him.
God waits on us. He doesn’t force Himself or His Will upon us. He doesn’t make us accept Him, make us love Him, or make us follow Him. In gentleness and patience, He waits. When we’re finally ready to receive what He has to offer, He lavishes His love and compassion upon us. How about YOU? Aren’t you tired of doing life all on your own? Aren’t you tired of running down dead-end roads and feeling empty, lost, and alone? Come home to the Lord, and He will rush to meet you with more love, grace, and kindness than you can imagine. It doesn’t matter where you’ve been or what you’ve done. Don’t waste another day. God’s waiting. That’s God’s Word for you today.