From a human perspective, when the shop owner sees the thief’s pitiful condition, he may be moved by compassion. Instead of reacting with harsh punishment, he might just scold him or demand a simple explanation. Why? Because the theft was not committed out of malice or greed, but sheer desperation—to save his life. The thief wasn’t trying to steal and profit; he was simply trying to survive. Proverbs 6:30–31 (ESV):“People do not despise a thief if he steals to satisfy his appetite when he is hungry, but if he is caught, he will pay sevenfold; he will give all the goods of his house.” At first glance, this passage acknowledges human empathy—people understand when someone steals out of necessity. But it also introduces a legal and moral principle: if the thief is caught, he must repay sevenfold, even to the extent of giving up everything he owns. What does this mean?It doesn’t suggest that a starving person is cruelly punished. Rather, the verse draws a line: when theft stems from personal gain, greed, or causing loss to others, it is a serious offense and demands full restitution. In contrast, society may show grace to those who act out of survival. What’s the spiritual implication of this? If physical hunger can drive a man to violate norms in order to live, how much more should we act decisively when our spiritual lives are starving? Consider the example of David in 1 Samuel 21:1–6. When he and his men were hungry, they ate the consecrated bread—bread reserved for priests alone. Yet God did not count it as sin. Why? Because it was done out of necessity, not rebellion. Even Jesus referenced this in Matthew 12:3–4, highlighting that human need can sometimes override ritual law. Similarly, in the spiritual realm: If your soul is weak, starving, or distant from God, don’t just sit idly. Don’t let your spirit die while you carry on with worldly routines. Do something about your spiritual condition—take action to seek nourishment for your soul. Take initiative: Steal time from your busy schedule—time you’d use for entertainment or other activities—and invest it in prayer, Bible study, or listening to sound preaching. Sacrifice resources—perhaps money meant for something else—and buy a Bible or spiritual books that feed your soul. Rearrange your priorities. Skip an outing, take a break from work if needed, and invest in spiritual matters. Just as physical food is vital for survival, spiritual nourishment is critical for eternal life. Amos 8:11 (ESV) says:“Behold, the days are coming,” declares the Lord GOD, “when I will send a famine on the land—not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD.” We are living in such days now. False teachings abound, and many are spiritually malnourished without realizing it. If you do not actively build yourself up spiritually, the enemy will not hesitate to fill that vacuum with destruction. Final encouragement: Love the Word of God. Love prayer. Love learning. Be intentional about your spiritual growth. Make no excuses. Prioritize your soul—because eternity depends on it. God bless you.
Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Let us take a moment to reflect on the Good News through the life of one of Jesus’ apostles: Thomas. Thomas, also called Didymus (meaning “Twin”), was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus. He was not like Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed the Lord. In fact, Thomas once boldly declared his willingness to die with Jesus. When Jesus announced His plan to return to Judea despite the danger, Thomas said to the others, “Let us also go, that we may die with him” (John 11:16, NIV). This shows that Thomas deeply loved Jesus and was ready to risk his life for Him. However, Thomas had a different kind of weakness—a tendency toward doubt and skepticism, especially concerning the power of God. This inner struggle affected not only his faith but also his spiritual participation and presence among the other apostles. After the resurrection, Jesus appeared to the disciples when they were gathered together in fear, praying behind locked doors. But Thomas was not with them. His absence was significant. He missed a divine encounter that his fellow disciples experienced. Later, when they joyfully told him, “We have seen the Lord!”, Thomas responded with unbelief:“Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe” (John 20:25, NIV). This moment reflects the danger of spiritual isolation and the cost of withdrawing from fellowship. Thomas’s doubts might have been fueled by discouragement, confusion, or personal despair—but in distancing himself from the community, he distanced himself from the very place where Christ revealed Himself. Eight days later, Jesus appeared again—this time, Thomas was present. Jesus, in His mercy, addressed Thomas directly:“Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe” (John 20:27, NIV). Thomas was overcome with faith and declared, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28, NIV). Jesus replied, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29, NIV). This story teaches us several key theological truths: God honors honest doubts, but calls us toward trust and belief. There is spiritual power in community—some divine revelations come when we are gathered together in unity (see Matthew 18:20). Isolation can hinder faith, especially during trials. Even when we don’t feel strong, staying in fellowship can position us to receive encouragement, strength, and even encounters with the risen Christ. Let us, therefore, not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another (Hebrews 10:25, NIV). Avoid spiritual absenteeism. Don’t let disappointment or doubt drive you into isolation. Stay connected. Stay prayerful. Stay present. Some blessings and revelations are meant to be received in the presence of others. May the Lord help us to remain faithful and steadfast, especially in moments of uncertainty. Like Thomas, we may doubt—but let us remain where Christ can find us: among His people. Shalom. To receive daily devotional messages via WhatsApp, you can join our channel here:Join WhatsApp Chat