🏫 Bible Meditation - March 2026

 

“Within the Seeds” 🌳

📖 AATHAVAN Bible Meditation – No. 1849
🔆 March 01, 2026 – Sunday

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” — Psalms 23:1

The foundational truth conveyed in today’s meditation verse is this: true divine blessing is not found in material prosperity, but in the experience of the Lord being with us and guiding us like a shepherd.

Many people assume that abundant wealth, a good job, and a prosperous lifestyle are signs of God’s blessing. Based on such measures, they conclude that God has blessed them. But King David did not think that way. He was elevated to the throne only after enduring many hardships. It was through those experiences that he declared today’s meditation verse. Because the Lord was his Shepherd, he boldly affirmed that he would not be in want.

We can clearly see the difference between sheep raised under a shepherd’s care and those that wander freely in the wild. Often, wild sheep appear physically stronger and healthier than those raised at home.

Shepherds who lead their sheep to pasture watch over them carefully. They know which areas are dangerous because of wild animals and which types of grass may be harmful to the sheep. Therefore, they guide them with discipline. Even if the sheep desire to go to certain places, the shepherd will not allow it. In contrast, sheep in the wild have no such restraint. They go wherever they please and eat whatever they desire.

Let us imagine something for a moment: when sheep under a shepherd see wild sheep, they might think, “Oh! How freely and happily those sheep live! Our shepherd does not allow us that kind of freedom. If only we could live without a shepherd like them, we would be better off.”

But, dear friends, wild sheep have no assurance of safety. At any moment, they may be attacked and killed by fierce animals. Though they may appear to live in abundance, they suffer under rain and scorching sun. They do not have consistent access to food either.

Sheep raised under a shepherd may live with discipline and may even appear less robust than wild sheep, yet they have the shepherd’s proper protection. They have shelter from sun and rain. They have assurance of food. In the same way, Jesus, the Good Shepherd, leads His children with loving discipline. He does not permit His children to live as those who do not know Him live.

David, having been a shepherd from his youth, understood these truths deeply. That is why he expressed this spiritual reality through his own experience. Just as David accepted the Lord as his Shepherd, let us also live as sheep under His guidance and discipline.

When the Lord is our Shepherd, we will not be in want. We will not grow discouraged when we see those who do not know the Lord appearing to live prosperous lives.

“Within the Seeds” 🌳

📖 Aathavan Bible Meditation – No. 1850
🔆 March 02, 2026 – Monday

“No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. Just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you; I will not desert you nor abandon you.” — Book of Joshua 1:5

Today, we see that great leaders of this world are provided with extraordinary security. It is not easy for anyone to approach them freely. When such tight protection is in place, can anyone easily act against them? Recently, news reports showed that security personnel shot and killed a man who had entered with the intention of assassinating the American President, Donald Trump.

In a similar way, the Lord grants protection to His children and destroys their enemies.

In today’s meditation verse, God says to Joshua:

“No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life; just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you.” — Book of Joshua 1:5

God shows no partiality among people. Therefore, if He spoke this promise to Joshua, it also rightfully belongs to us. However, this promise came with a condition. Yes, the Lord said:

“Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the Law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may achieve success wherever you go.” — Book of Joshua 1:7

This means Joshua would enjoy this protection only if he obeyed the commandments given through Moses.

Even today, as New Testament believers, Christ has given us many commands. When we walk according to them, the words spoken to Joshua - “I will be with you; I will not desert you nor abandon you.” — will also be fulfilled in our lives by God’s grace.

This verse does not refer only to people who oppose us. It also assures us that problems, sufferings, sicknesses, and any challenges that rise against us will not prevail over us. God Himself will guard us. He will neither leave us nor forsake us.

Furthermore, the protection given to political leaders lasts only as long as they remain in office. But in today’s meditation verse, God says:

“No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life.”

Beloved, the security given to political leaders is uncertain because it depends on weak and imperfect human beings. We know that our former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated by her own bodyguard.

Yes, when we live a life pleasing to God, the words spoken to Joshua will surely be fulfilled in our lives as well. Therefore, let us commit ourselves to obey God’s commandments and live in a manner worthy of Him.

Then divine protection will certainly be ours. As long as we live in this world, He will not abandon us, nor will He forsake us.

“Within the Seeds” 🌳

📖 AATHAVAN Bible Meditation – No. 1851
🔆 March 03, 2026 – Tuesday

“Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, ‘Amend your ways and your deeds, and I will let you dwell in this place.’” — Jeremiah 7:3

A person known to me faced continuous problems and suffering in his family. In distress, he began running to astrologers and soothsayers. They suggested various remedies. One of them said, “The vaastu of your house is not correct. You must make structural changes to your home.”

Though he was already burdened with debt, he borrowed more money to renovate his house. Yet no change or blessing came into his life.

Later, he consulted another well-known astrologer and explained his struggles. This one advised, “If you vacate this house and live in another place for a year, your life will change.” Believing this, he left his own house and moved into a rented one. These changes only increased his problems and debt. Still, there was no transformation in his life.

Yes, beloved friends, sadly, some deceitful individuals who claim to be Christian ministers are doing similar things today. Many who call themselves Christians go to such people. Like astrologers, they say, “There is sorcery placed in your house. A cursed object has been buried at your doorstep. Only if we remove it will you be blessed.” They claim to pray and remove it—collecting money and deceiving believers.

But does not the Scripture say: “For there is no omen against Jacob, Nor is there any divination against Israel.” — Book of Numbers 23:23

The solution to our problems will not come by changing our house while leaving ourselves unchanged. It will not come by removing imaginary cursed objects. God can bless us in any place. Yes, the Lord declares:

“Amend your ways and your deeds, and I will let you dwell in this place.”
— Book of Jeremiah 7:3

Today, people are willing to spend large amounts of money changing houses or making alterations to receive blessings. Yet they show little interest in changing their own conduct—though it costs nothing financially.

God has promised:

“In every place where I cause My name to be remembered, I will come to you and bless you.” — Book of Exodus 20:24

If we live in ways that glorify God’s name, He will bless us right where we are.

Beloved, keeping the problem within ourselves while searching for solutions elsewhere will never bring true change. Only when we amend our ways according to God’s will, blessing will come. Instead of focusing on changing our house or surroundings, let us focus on changing ourselves. Let us surrender ourselves to God. Then He says, “I will let you dwell in this place.”

Let this be our prayer:

“Now therefore, may it please You to bless the house of Your servant, that it may continue forever before You. For You, O Lord GOD, have spoken; and with Your blessing may the house of Your servant be blessed forever.”
— 2 Samuel 7:29

“Within the Seeds” 🌳

📖 AATHAVAN Bible Meditation – No. 1852
🔆 March 04, 2026 – Wednesday

“Behold, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one who stays awake and keeps his garments, so that he will not walk about naked and people will not see his shame.” — Revelation 16:15

Today’s meditation verse is a solemn warning to us about the Second Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Even while He lived on this earth, Jesus compared His coming to the coming of a thief. He said:

“Therefore, be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming. But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. For this reason, you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.” — Gospel of Matthew 24:42–44

In today’s key verse it is written: “Blessed is the one who stays awake and keeps his garments, so that he will not walk about naked and people will not see his shame.”

The garment mentioned here by our Lord refers to the garment of salvation. To be found without that garment is to be spiritually naked.

Jesus also told a parable about a man who came to a wedding feast without wearing wedding clothes. When the king came in and saw him, he said:

“Friend, how did you come in here without wedding clothes?” And the man was speechless. Then the king said to the servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’” — Gospel of Matthew 22:12–13

Yes, beloved, as Christians we are all called by God. But only those who have received the experience of salvation — the wedding garment — are chosen. Those who are chosen must remain watchful and guard their garments. Such people alone are called blessed.

As Jesus concluded:

“For many are called, but few are chosen.” — Gospel of Matthew 22:14

Jesus compares His coming to that of a thief because just as we do not know when a thief will come, we do not know when the Lord will return. Therefore, we must remain spiritually alert.

Once, a friend mockingly asked me, “For two thousand years people have been saying He is coming, He is coming — but He has not yet come!”

To such questions, the Apostle Peter has already given the answer:

“The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not willing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” — Second Epistle of Peter 3:9

Furthermore, what if we die before His coming without being saved? Would we not stand before Him spiritually naked? That is why He waits patiently for us.

“And regard the patience of our Lord as salvation.” — Second Epistle of Peter 3:15

The Bible instructs us to confess our sins to the Lord Jesus Christ and seek His forgiveness. Let us therefore remain watchful, guard our spiritual garments, and be ready for His glorious return.

“Within the Seeds” 🌳

AATHAVAN Scripture Meditation – No. 1853
March 05, 2026 – Thursday

“So that we confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What will man do to me?’” — Epistle to the Hebrews 13:6

The Lord God is the One who helps us. To those who trust in Him and live as people pleasing to Him, He becomes a shield of help and protection. Therefore, we can live boldly in this world. No human being can ultimately harm us beyond God’s sovereign will.

To understand today’s verse more clearly, we must read the preceding verse as well:

“Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, ‘I will never desert you, nor will I ever abandon you.’” — Epistle to the Hebrews 13:5

This promise echoes what God declared in:

“I will not fail you or forsake you.” — Book of Joshua 1:5

When we truly believe that He will never leave us nor forsake us, then we can confidently declare, “The Lord is my helper,” and live courageously in this world.

Yes, beloved, today people eagerly pursue wealth in many ways. The root cause is fear about the future. Many think that only by accumulating great wealth can they live peacefully tomorrow. This mindset gradually turns into the love of money. That is why Scripture instructs us to live free from the love of money and to be content with what we have.

Not everyone who has accumulated great riches remains joyful until the end. Likewise, those without wealth are not necessarily lacking joy. The joy that comes from Christ dwelling within us and guiding our lives is the supreme joy. If we neglect Christ and focus only on gathering wealth, we cannot experience this true joy. In fact, sorrow may eventually overtake such a life.

This does not mean that we should not earn or save. Rather, it means that instead of desiring wealth above all, we must recognize that gaining the Lord Jesus Christ is the greatest treasure. We must cultivate a deep longing to gain Him and strive earnestly for that pursuit.

With this passion, the apostle Paul declared:

“But whatever things were gain to me, these things I have counted as loss because of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” — Epistle to the Philippians 3:7–8

Without truly knowing Christ, all the riches we assume we possess amount to nothing of eternal value.

If we strive in this way and gain Christ in our lives, then we can boldly say, “The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What will man do to me?” This is the higher spiritual life. God regards prayers seeking this experience as noble prayers—and He answers them without delay.

“Within the Seeds” 🌳

📖 AATHAVAN Bible Meditation – No. 1854
🔆 March 06, 2026 – Friday

“And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.” (1 John 4: 3)

This meditation verse written by the apostle John nearly two thousand years ago remains true even today. We already know of so-called Christian teachers who preach only worldly blessings and separate people from Christ. However, today’s meditation is not about them.

Do you believe that there are still churches today that do not confess Christ even with their lips—churches of the spirit of the antichrist? Many of us are aware of groups such as the Jehovah’s Witnesses. But beyond them, there are assemblies that appear outwardly like Christian churches, yet hold entirely different doctrines. The teachings proclaimed there are not the doctrines of Christ, but of Satan.

Very recently, on March 1, I had the opportunity to meet a minister from such a group in front of his own church. A friend told me, “There is a good man. He may be helpful to your ministry. I have never attended his church, but he sends me Bible verses daily and asks me to read them. If you wish, go and meet him once.” So, I went to see him.

Generally, I am eager to build friendships with Christian ministers. That was why I went. On the notice board there was written: “The Lord God Almighty, the God of gods.” Yet when I spoke with him, his statements clearly revealed that he was of the spirit of the antichrist. I briefly summarize some of his teachings below:

He said that only the Old Testament was written by the Holy Spirit and therefore only it should be read. The New Testament, according to him, was written like mythological stories to present Jesus, a mere man, as God. He claimed that no one can be born without a male partner, and no dead person can rise again. The Almighty Lord, he argued, does not need a Son to redeem the world—if He simply speaks a word, we would be saved. He said many such things. When I asked him, “Do you preach?” he replied, “Yes, many people come here.” After that, I felt it was unwise to continue the conversation and left.

Beloved, not everyone who writes Christian verses on walls and attracts people can be said to preach true Christian doctrine. Therefore, we must remain alert. I never imagined that such an antichrist assembly could exist in an area where there are many Christians. It was surprising to me. Yet this experience further confirmed that the Scriptures are true.

“Children, it is the last hour; and just as you heard that antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have appeared; from this we know that it is the last hour.” — 1 John 2:18

“Who is the liar but the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, the one who denies the Father and the Son.” — 1 John 2:22

Though the words “The Lord God Almighty, the God of gods” were written in that church, the Lord was not there. For the apostle John declares:

“Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father; the one who confesses the Son has the Father also.” — 1 John 2:23

Such ministers teach deceptive doctrines, temporarily heal diseases through satanic influence to attract people, and lead them straight toward destruction. It is our duty not only to avoid being ensnared by them, but also to pray that those who attend such places may go to true churches, come to know the truth, and accept Christ.

“For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist.” — 2 John 1:7

“Within the Seeds” 🌳

📖 AATHAVAN Bible Meditation – No. 1855
🔆 March 07, 2026 – Saturday

“And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him.” — First Epistle of John 5:15

The Bible was not written to secure worldly prosperity for us. Rather, it was written to guide us into inheriting eternal life beyond this present world. Even Jesus Christ declared, “My kingdom is not of this world.” (Gospel of John 18:36).

Yet many people interpret Scripture with a worldly mindset, assuming that the Bible exists primarily to grant earthly blessings. When the Lord says “ask,” “seek,” and “knock,” it does not refer to pursuing material gain. Every verse in Scripture carries spiritual meaning.

When the Bible was originally written, it was recorded on scrolls in continuous form. There were no chapter or verse divisions. The Old Testament was divided into chapters in A.D. 1227, and the New Testament in 1551. These divisions were introduced merely to help us locate passages easily.

Therefore, when reading the Bible, we must not isolate individual verses but read them in their full context, as originally written. Only then can we properly understand many passages.

If we select only a single verse that suits our desires, we risk deceiving ourselves. Today’s meditation verse says that God hears whatever we ask. Because of this, many assume they can ask for any worldly blessing. Some preachers even teach this.

However, the preceding verse clearly states:

“This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.” — First Epistle of John 5:14

It is not merely about asking anything; what we ask must be according to His will. Only one who truly knows God can discern His will and pray accordingly.

Even Jesus Christ Himself prayed this way:

“My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.” — Gospel of Matthew 26:39

Another passage often quoted by prosperity teachers is:

“In that day you will not question Me about anything. Truly, truly, I say to you, if you ask the Father for anything in My name, He will give it to you. Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full.” — Gospel of John 16:23–24

The words “ask” and “joy” here carry spiritual meaning. The joy Jesus speaks of refers to spiritual fullness, not material satisfaction. That is why He immediately continues:

“These things I have spoken to you in figures of speech; an hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech, but will tell you plainly of the Father.” — Gospel of John 16:25

In other words, Jesus indicates that He was speaking figuratively about how we should pray to the Father. He was not instructing us to seek worldly riches.

Even in the prayer He taught:

“Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” — Gospel of Matthew 6:10. This teaches us to desire that God’s heavenly will be fulfilled in our earthly lives.

Yes, beloved, it is true that God hears whatever we ask. But it is equally true that we must ask according to His will. When we discern His will and pray accordingly, we can be confident that we have received what we have asked of Him.

“Within the Seeds” 🌳

📖 AATHAVAN Bible Meditation – No. 1856
🔆 March 08, 2026 – Sunday

“The one who has the Son has the life; the one who does not have the Son of God does not have the life.” — First Epistle of John 5:12

We determine whether a person is alive by observing their breath. Doctors check the pulse; it reveals the heartbeat. If there is a heartbeat, it means the person is alive. If the heartbeat is very weak, they take measures to revive and strengthen it in order to save the person.

In the same way, though someone may call himself a Christian, his spiritual life depends on the measure in which Christ lives and works within him. Did not Jesus say, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me.” — Gospel of John 14:6? Yes, He alone is the Truth and the Life.

“And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.” — First Epistle of John 5:11.

Beloved, eternal life — the endless life — is found in Christ Jesus. It has already been prepared and made available for us. We must take hold of it. That is why today’s meditation verse clearly warns us: “The one who has the Son has the life; the one who does not have the Son of God does not have the life.”

How can we know whether the life of Christ is within a person? We cannot detect it like a doctor checking a pulse. Instead, a transformed life reveals it. Attending church, giving offerings, and reading the Bible may make us appear spiritually alive outwardly. But God expects more than these external actions.

The scribes and Pharisees who lived in Christ’s time carefully observed all such religious practices. Yet we read that Jesus pronounced “woe” upon them (see Gospel of Matthew 23:13–32). Why did He rebuke them so strongly? He explains in Gospel of Matthew 23:28:

“So, you, too, outwardly appear righteous to people, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.”

Though they performed religious acts outwardly, their hearts were filled with hypocrisy and wickedness. Just as a lifeless body becomes corrupt and foul, external works without the life of Christ are offensive before God. Only when Christ comes into us do hypocrisy and lawlessness depart.

Yes, only when Christ enters us will our Pharisaical nature change. For it is only then that true life begins within us. When we come alive in Him, the impurities within us are driven out. Was not the body of Lazarus, which had begun to decay after four days, brought back to life by the word of Jesus?

“But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.” — Epistle to the Romans 8:11

For our mortal bodies to be made alive, we must surrender ourselves to Christ and invite Him to dwell within us. Only when He comes into us do we receive life and become His witnesses.

Yes, “The one who has the Son has the life; the one who does not have the Son of God does not have the life.” Let each of us examine ourselves and discern whether this life is truly within us.

“Within the Seeds” 🌳

📖 AATHAVAN Bible Meditation – No. 1857
🔆 March 09, 2026 – Monday

“He who planted the ear, does He not hear? He who formed the eye, does He not see?” — Book of Psalms 94:9

Today, when some people do not receive an immediate answer from God to their prayers, they begin to blame Him and murmur. They say, “I pray so much about my sufferings and struggles, yet this God neither sees nor hears.” It is human nature to hide one’s own faults and blame someone else.

To such people, today’s meditation verse asks: “He who planted the ear, does He not hear? He who formed the eye, does He not see?”

O man, it is God who created your ears and your eyes. If so, how could He fail to see your suffering or refuse to hear your prayer? Yes,

“The hearing ear and the seeing eye, The LORD has made both of them.” — Book of Proverbs 20:12

God responds to those who accuse Him through the prophet Isaiah:

“Behold, the LORD’S hand is not so short That it cannot save; Nor is His ear so dull That it cannot hear. But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear.” — Book of Isaiah 59:1–2

In other words, the Lord says: “My ear is not dull. My eye is not blind. My hand is not too short to help you.” It is our sins that stand like a barrier between us and God, preventing His help from reaching us.

Even within the same house, a wall prevents us from seeing someone in another room. In the same way, our sins rise like a wall and create separation between us and God.

The Lord also says:

“My eye will show no pity nor will I spare. I will bring their ways upon them and their abominations will be among them; then they will know that I am the LORD!” — Book of Ezekiel 7:4

Therefore, beloved, instead of blaming God for unanswered prayers, let us first examine ourselves. Let us confess our faults and sins openly before Him. Only when the dividing wall between God and us is broken will our relationship with Him grow stronger.

The One who created the ear and the eye is watching everything.

“Within the Seeds” 🌳

📖 AATHAVAN Bible Meditation – No. 1858
🔆 March 10, 2026 – Tuesday

“He has brought me to his banquet hall, and his banner over me is love.” — Song of Songs 2:4

A banquet is a loving celebration that we share with our close relatives and dear ones. We do not invite everyone we know to a feast, nor do we attend a feast hosted by just anyone. If we dine together with someone, it signifies that we share a meaningful relationship with them.

In today’s meditation verse, the beloved bride declares that her loving Bridegroom has brought her into the banquet hall. She says that His banner over her is love. The “beautiful one” mentioned here represents the faithful who live a life pleasing to God.

Furthermore, Jesus Christ also spoke to His disciples about a banquet in the Kingdom of God that includes the fruit of the vine. We read:

“Truly I say to you, I will never again drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”— Gospel of Mark 14:25

Yes, beloved friends, if we are His children, He desires to dine with us. For this reason, He stands at the door of our hearts and knocks:

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.”— Book of Revelation 3:20 (NASB) Is it not clearly written so? All that is necessary is that we open our hearts to the loving One who knocks at the door.

This same experience described in Revelation is also found in the Song of Songs:

“I was asleep but my heart was awake. A voice! My beloved was knocking: ‘Open to me, my sister, my darling, my dove, my perfect one! For my head is drenched with dew, my locks with the damp of the night.’” — Song of Songs 5:2

Even while she slept, her heart was awake to hear the voice of her beloved knocking at the door.

The banquet spoken of in the Bible is not like a worldly feast that merely fills the stomach. Rather, it is a feast that fills the heart with divine love. It is a fellowship where God abides with us, living with us as a family—like a tender mother and father.

Consider a two-year-old child separated from its mother. No matter what food or toys we offer, the child will not be satisfied. What the child longs for most is the embrace of the mother. In the same way, the heavenly banquet is to live in eternal fellowship with God.

When we live a life pleasing to God in this world, He will bring us into this banquet hall. His banner of love will fly over us.

“Within the Seeds” 🌳

📖 AATHAVAN Bible Meditation – No. 1859
🔆 Wednesday, March 11, 2026

“Put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.” — Ephesians 4:24

We often hear many people speaking about righteousness and justice. When conflicts arise, someone may angrily ask another person, “Do you think what you are doing is right?” The other person may reply, “I am acting justly.” In this way, both individuals claim that they are standing for justice. If that is the case, what truly is righteousness? Whose judgment is correct?

At times, people even justify the mistakes of those they like. Recently, while I was drinking tea at a tea stall, I overheard two people having a conversation. One of them supported a certain actor who had abandoned his wife and was closely involved with another actress. He argued in defense of the actor, “What is wrong with that? Doesn’t he have the right to live with the person he likes?”

The other person then asked him, “If your own son-in-law pushed aside your daughter and tried to marry another woman, would you still say the same thing?” Hearing this, the first man had no answer and remained silent.

Dear friends, this is how human standards of righteousness often change from person to person. We also see cases where a man declared guilty by one judge is later acquitted by another judge upon appeal. Therefore, human righteousness cannot stand before God. The Bible declares:

“For all of us have become like one who is unclean, And all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment; And all of us wither like a leaf,
And our wrongdoings, like the wind, take us away.” — Isaiah 64:6

Today’s meditation verse speaks about true righteousness and holiness. God alone is perfectly righteous and holy.

“For Christ also suffered for sins once for all time, the righteous for the unrighteous, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit.” — 1 Peter 3:18

The One who died and rose again—the Righteous One who suffered for the unrighteous—alone has the power to make us truly righteous.

Today’s meditation verse urges us to “put on the new self, created in the likeness of God.” Only when Christ, who died and rose again for our sins, comes into our lives can we truly say that we have put on Christ. When we put on Christ, we are transformed to live in true righteousness and holiness.

When we live righteously, it becomes evident that we are born of Him.

“If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness also has been born of Him.” — 1 John 2:29

Therefore, let us put on Christ Jesus in our lives and live in true righteousness and holiness. As the Apostle Paul teaches, let us put on the new self, created in the likeness of God.

Without righteousness and holiness, no one can truly know God or come to Him.

“Within the Seeds” 🌳

📖 AATHAVAN Bible Meditation – No. 1860
🔆 Thursday, March 12, 2026

“Then Satan stood up against Israel and incited David to count Israel.” — 1 Chronicles 21:1 (NASB)

David was a man of God who was led by the Holy Spirit. He wrote many powerful psalms through which we still rejoice and praise God today. Yet here we see that David was influenced by Satan.

God had lifted David from the sheepfold and made him king. The Lord Himself had delivered and protected him through many difficult situations. However, Satan caused pride to arise in David’s heart. David was tempted to count how many people were under his rule so that he could take pride in the size of his kingdom.

“The king said to Joab the commander of the army who was with him, ‘Go about now through all the tribes of Israel, from Dan to Beersheba, and register the people, so that I may know the number of the people.’” — 2 Samuel 24:2

Joab, David’s commander, was not a man of God. However, he had witnessed every stage of David’s rise. Through him, God warned David that counting the people was wrong.

“But Joab said to the king, ‘Now may the Lord your God add to the people a hundred times as many as they are, while the eyes of my lord the king still see; but why does my lord the king delight in this thing?’” — 2 Samuel 24:3

Even so, David commanded Joab to go and count the people.

Until that moment, David had lived depending on the grace of God. But now he began to set aside that grace and trust in his own strength. Yet because David was a man of God, the Lord did not abandon him. The Spirit made him realize his mistake.

“Now David’s heart troubled him after he had numbered the people. So David said to the Lord, ‘I have sinned greatly in what I have done. But now, Lord, please take away the guilt of Your servant, for I have acted very foolishly.’” — 2 Samuel 24:10

However, God was displeased with this act. The very people whose numbers David had taken pride in were reduced.

“So the Lord sent a plague on Israel; seventy thousand men of Israel fell.” — 1 Chronicles 21:14

Yes, instead of destroying His servant David, God allowed many people to perish. Because God had already given His promise to David, He protected him. This too was the grace of God.

Beloved, we should not forget the earlier days in which God led and sustained us, as David did for a moment. Our elevation and success do not come from our own strength but from the grace of God. We must always keep this truth in our hearts. If pride about our achievements arises within us, Satan can deceive us—no matter how great a servant of God we may be. Therefore, let us remain watchful.

“…so that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes.” — 2 Corinthians 2:11

“Within the Seeds” 🌳

📖 AATHAVAN Bible Meditation – No. 1861
🔆 Friday, March 13, 2026

“My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work.” — John 4:34

In this world, there are people who eat food in order to live, and there are also those who seem to live mainly for the pleasure of eating. Likewise, there are people who earnestly seek God because they desire to know Him, and there are others who pray only with worldly desires, continually asking God to give them something.

Our Lord Jesus Christ did not seek His own will but lived to know and fulfil the will of the Father concerning Him. He clearly understood that it was the Father’s will for Him to offer His life as a sacrifice for the redemption of the world. Therefore, He declared that doing the will of the One who sent Him and completing His work was His true food.

Yes, dear ones, God has a specific will concerning each one of us. First, it is essential for us to know God’s will for our lives. When we come to understand that will, we will not become excessively joyful or deeply sorrowful about the events that happen in our lives.

When Paul the Apostle encountered Christ and received His revelation, we read that he asked:

“Trembling and astonished, he said, ‘Lord, what do You want me to do?’ And the Lord said to him, ‘Get up and enter the city, and it will be told you what you must do.’” — Acts 9:6

That is why he later exhorts us:

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” — Romans 12:2

In other words, instead of following the ways of the world and behaving according to its patterns, our minds must be renewed and we must be transformed to become people who please God. When this happens, we will begin to understand what God’s will truly is. Simply put, we must first experience the new birth.

Today, most people are determined to fulfil their own will and work hard to achieve it. Many desire to become doctors, engineers, bank officers, or civil servants such as IAS or IPS officers. Others aim to attain high political positions or become great industrialists. Some among them do succeed in reaching their goals.

However, dear friends, most people neither desire to know God’s will for their lives nor make an effort to fulfil it. But Jesus Christ, who said, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work,” fulfilled that will and was exalted.

If we seek Him not merely to satisfy worldly desires but with sincere love for Him, we will discover His will for our lives. And as Jesus said, accomplishing that will becomes our true nourishment.

Moreover, when we live according to the will of the Father, we become brothers and sisters of Christ. As Jesus Christ said:

“For whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven, he is My brother and sister and mother.” — Matthew 12:50

Therefore, let us strive to know and live according to the will of God.

“Within the Seeds” 🌳

📖 AATHAVAN Scripture Meditation – No. 1862
🔆 Saturday, March 14, 2026

“Not that we are adequate in ourselves so as to consider anything as having come from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God.” — 2 Corinthians 3:5

As human beings, we are weak. Not only that, we cannot even say anything with certainty about our own lifespan. Yet many people do not stop to think about these realities. Instead, they continue making many imaginations and efforts concerning the future. Today’s meditation verse says that we are not even competent to consider anything as if it comes from ourselves. People of the world often say that this is foolish thinking and claim that if we think like this, we will never progress in life.

Dear beloved, there is nothing wrong with planning for the future. However, such planning must be pleasing to God. Not only that, it is essential that we commit our future—and the future of our children—into the hands of God and pray. The reason is that we are not qualified even to think that anything can come from ourselves. If God wills, our plans and imaginations can become nothing in a moment.

There once lived a very wealthy man who had three sons. Having three sons was a great pride for him. He educated them well, and all three studied in medical college. As they were about to complete their studies, he even built a hospital for them. However, the eldest son fell in love with a woman and went away to live in his father-in-law’s house. The second son became addicted to drugs and intoxication and did not complete his medical studies. The third son died in an accident.

That is why the apostle James gives us this fitting counsel:

“Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.’ Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.” — James 4:13–14

Yes, beloved, our adequacy is determined by God.

Therefore, it is necessary for us to humble ourselves and seek the grace of God. James further says:

“Instead, you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.’” — James 4:15

However, if we live a life pleasing to God, He will surely bless us. He can even turn the actions that work against us into something that supports us. God can give us an elevation far beyond what we think.

Did not God turn the sufferings that came into the life of Joseph into blessings? Joseph joyfully testified:

“As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to keep many people alive.” — Genesis 50:20

Joseph did not plan to become the prime minister of Egypt or to stand equal to Pharaoh. But God planned it that way. Yes, our adequacy does not come from ourselves but from God alone.

If we understand this truth, we will realize that God is everything to us and wait for His grace. Instead of trusting in our own strength, we will depend on the grace of the Lord. The Psalmist understood this and declared:

“He does not delight in the strength of the horse; He does not take pleasure in the legs of a man. The Lord Favors those who fear Him, those who wait for His lovingkindness.” — Psalm 147:10–11

“Within the Seeds” 🌳

📖 AATHAVAN Scripture Meditation – No. 1863

🔆 Sunday, March 15, 2026

“Is the LORD’S power limited? Now you shall see whether My word will come true for you or not.” — Numbers 11:23

We often think about many things in different ways and decide whether something is possible or impossible for us. However, many times we forget that God is far beyond such human reasoning and that nothing is impossible for Him. The reason is that we usually view God from a human perspective.

When Moses was leading the people of Israel through the wilderness, God miraculously provided them with manna—the bread of heaven—to satisfy their hunger. Yet the people began to grow weary of the manna. We read:

“But now our appetite is gone. There is nothing at all to look at except this manna.” — Numbers 11:6

In other words, they began to crave meat.

The place where they were living was a wilderness, where there was no possibility of obtaining other kinds of food. When Moses reported the longing of the Israelites to God, the Lord said:

“You shall eat, not one day, nor two days, nor five days, nor ten days, nor twenty days, but a whole month, until it comes out of your nostrils and becomes loathsome to you; because you have rejected the LORD who is among you and have wept before Him, saying, ‘Why did we ever leave Egypt?’” — Numbers 11:19–20

What God said was beyond human imagination. Therefore, Moses responded:

“The people among whom I am are 600,000 on foot; yet You have said, ‘I will give them meat so that they may eat for a whole month.’ Should flocks and herds be slaughtered for them, to be sufficient for them? Or should all the fish of the sea be gathered together for them, to be sufficient for them?” — Numbers 11:21–22

Even Moses found it difficult to believe what God had said—that He would give meat for six hundred thousand people to eat for an entire month. Yes, even Moses, who spoke with God and walked with Him, who spoke with God face to face as a friend, struggled to believe God’s word.

That is why the Lord said to Moses the words of today’s meditation:

“Is the LORD’S power limited? Now you shall see whether My word will come true for you or not.” — Numbers 11:23

God did not only say it—He fulfilled it and gave them meat to eat.

Yes, dear friends, even today when we pray about certain problems in our lives, many times we do not have complete faith. We are often like Moses. Our faith remains small.

Once, when Peter saw Jesus walking on the sea, he also desired to walk in the same way. Jesus told him to come out of the boat. Peter stepped out and walked on the water toward Christ. But when he saw the strong wind, he looked at the circumstances instead of Christ and became afraid. Immediately he began to sink. In fear he cried out, “Lord, save me!”

“Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, ‘You of little faith, why did you doubt?’” — Matthew 14:31

Many times, we too behave like Moses and Peter, becoming people of little faith. The frightening words of doctors, troubling situations, and the burdens of debt can create fearful circumstances that lead us into unbelief.

But let us believe that God can bring unimaginable changes in our lives. The Bible contains hundreds of testimonies proving that the Lord’s hand is not too short.

“Within the Seeds” 🌳

📖 AATHAVAN Bible Meditation – No. 1864

🔆 Monday, March 16, 2026

“This is what the LORD says, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: ‘I am the LORD your God, who teaches you to benefit,
who leads you in the way you should go.’” — Isaiah 48:17

The Lord our God does not guide us merely by giving worldly riches and blessings. Rather, He desires that we walk in the holy path that He has prepared for us, and He Himself leads us in that way. The One who said, “You shall be holy, for I am holy,” also desires that we live a holy life and helps us to live in such holiness.

This is similar to how an excellent doctor desires that his son or daughter also become a doctor in the future and does everything possible to help them achieve that goal.

In the same way, Jesus Christ came into the world to guide us to walk in the holy way of the Lord and to set an example by walking in that holy path Himself. That is why He said:

“I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me.” — John 14:6

Yes, Christ alone is the way and the truth through whom we can reach the holy Father.

During the days when Jesus Christ lived on earth, He personally stayed with His disciples and guided them. Before completing His redemptive work and returning to the Father, He promised to send the Holy Spirit to guide His disciples and lead all those who believe in Him in the path of holiness. Jesus said:

“And He, when He comes, will convict the world regarding sin, and righteousness, and judgment.” — John 16:8 (NASB)

The Lord Jesus Christ, who promised, “I am the LORD your God who teaches you to benefit and leads you in the way you should go,” is today guiding us through the Holy Spirit who dwells with us.

However, for many people today, Jesus Christ is often presented merely as a deity who grants worldly blessings. Dear friends, by observing what happens in this world, we can understand that this is a mistaken idea. Many who enjoy great worldly prosperity today do not even know Christ. In fact, some of the wealthiest people in the world neither know Christ nor follow His teachings. From this we can clearly understand that Christ did not come to grant worldly prosperity.

No matter how much wealth or position a person may have, if Christ is absent in that life, there will be no holiness and no life pleasing to God. Sometimes people who are respected in society commit serious wrongs and become caught in legal troubles. When such news appears, the world reacts with surprise, saying, “Oh! Did this person really do such things?” But if we understand life without Christ, this should not surprise us, because we know that a life without Christ can easily fall into such situations.

Did not Jesus say:

“I am the vine, you are the branches; the one who remains in Me, and I in him bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.” — John 15:5

Only when we remain connected to Him, the true Vine, can we live a fruitful life.

Therefore, dear friends, let us unite ourselves with the Lord our God who teaches us what is beneficial and leads us in the way we should walk. Then He Himself will teach us what is good for us, guide us in the right path, and help us receive eternal life.

“Within the Seeds” 🌳

📖 AATHAVAN Bible Meditation – No. 1865

🔆 Tuesday, March 17, 2026

“For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.” — 2 Timothy 1:7

The fear of spirits has existed among people since ancient times. Many fear the unclean spirit—Satan—and some believe that the spirits of the dead wander about. Generally, people imagine spirits in connection with darkness. Because of this, many are afraid to go to dark places.

However, the apostle Paul says that God has not given us a spirit that causes such fear. Even among Christians, some are afraid when they think about the Holy Spirit. This fear often arises because in certain prayer gatherings people claim that the Holy Spirit has descended, and some individuals roll on the ground, shout strangely, or display unusual behaviour.

But the Bible does not teach this. In Scripture, such actions are associated with those who were possessed by demons. We read that when demon-possessed people encountered Jesus Christ, they fell down and convulsed before Him.

The Holy Spirit, however, is the Spirit of peace. Where the Spirit of God is present, there will be peace and joy. The Holy Spirit does not work through outward, frightening displays. Rather, He works within us. He teaches us and guides us in the path we should walk. He fills our hearts with peace and helps us live a fruitful spiritual life.

Yes, the Scripture says:

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” — Galatians 5:22–23.

It is also written:

“For the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth.” — Ephesians 5:9

Dear beloved, if we want to live a life that pleases God, we need the Holy Spirit. This Spirit is not one that frightens us. Instead, He gives us power to live a spiritual life, forms in us the love that was in Christ, and grants us a sound and disciplined mind.

The presence of the Holy Spirit within us is the sign that we are God’s children. That is why the apostle Paul says:

“For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.” — Romans 8:14

If we do not have the Spirit of God, we do not belong to Him: “But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.” — Romans 8:9

If the Holy Spirit is within us, it means our Father is with us. Therefore, when He comes to dwell in us, there is no reason for fear.

As the apostle Paul writes:

“For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, ‘Abba! Father!’” — Romans 8:15

Let us eagerly desire to receive this Holy Spirit. When we receive Him, our spiritual life will be transformed. Our Lord Jesus Christ said, “For everyone who asks, receives.”

"Inside the Seeds" 🌳

📖 AATHAVAN Bible Meditation – No. 1866

🔆 Wednesday, March 18, 2026

"But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death." (James 1:14-15)

The final commandment of the Ten Commandments is, "You shall not covet." Lust (or covetousness) is an excessive desire for the possessions or people belonging to others. It can be defined as harbouring a mental longing for something that one does not rightfully own. Generally, lust is the root of all sins. In fact, the very first sin entered the world through lust.

We read in Genesis 3:6: "When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate." Today’s meditation verse clarifies this very progression.

Even desiring something that does not belong to us is sin. Many people appear "good" in the eyes of the world simply because they fear social consequences or lack the opportunity to act on their desires, even though their minds are consumed with thoughts of fulfilling them. This is why the Lord Jesus said: "But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart" (Matthew 5:28).

In this way, lust drags us toward sin. David fell into the lust of the flesh and murdered Uriah to take his wife, falling deep into sin. King Ahab coveted Naboth’s vineyard and, following his wife Jezebel’s advice, had Naboth killed (1 Kings 21). Similarly, Judas—driven by a lust for thirty pieces of silver—betrayed our Lord Jesus Christ and ended his life in suicide.

This is why the Apostle James says in today’s verse, "Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death."

Yes, dear friends, no one can easily escape the sin of lust through human effort alone. Only when the Holy Spirit works within us can we be transformed into spiritual people and be set free from such desires. The Law, including the Ten Commandments, can only teach us what sin is; it cannot deliver us from it. As Paul says: "...I would not have come to know sin except through the Law; for I would not have known about coveting if the Law had not said, 'You shall not covet'" (Romans 7:7).

However, Paul explains that it is not the legalistic commandment, but the Grace available through Jesus Christ that delivers us from these sins. He instructs us: "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh" (Galatians 5:16). He further testifies: "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death" (Romans 8:2).

Let us value God's commandments. To follow them in our lives, let us not rely entirely on our own efforts but put our faith in Christ. Let us lean on the Grace that comes through believing in Him. Only then can we find true liberation from the sin that lust produces.

"Inside the Seeds" 🌳

📖 AATHAVAN Bible Meditation - No. 1867

🔆 Thursday, March 19, 2026

"So the Levites calmed all the people, saying, 'Be still, for the day is holy; do not be grieved.' Then all the people went away to eat, to drink, to send portions and to celebrate a great festival, because they understood the words which had been made known to them." (Nehemiah 8:11-12)

Today’s meditation verse speaks about the people of Israel receiving forgiveness for their sins. After returning from Babylonian captivity, the Israelites completed the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem despite many obstacles. Once the work was finished, they gathered together to give thanks to God. Nehemiah, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites "read from the book, from the law of God, interpreting they gave the sense so that they understood the reading." (Nehemiah 8:8)

For those who had endured the miseries of slavery, offering thanks to the God who delivered them was of utmost importance. They realized that their own sins were the root cause of their captivity. Therefore, as the Law was read, their hearts were moved to sorrow and they wept.

"Then Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, 'This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep.' For all the people were weeping when they heard the words of the law." (Nehemiah 8:9)

"So, the Levites calmed all the people, saying, 'Be still, for the day is holy; do not be grieved.'" (Nehemiah 8:11)

Yes, dearly beloved, this is not just an event that happened long ago; it is the experience of redemption that every Christian undergoes today when they come to a conviction of sin. When we recognize and confess our sins, and realize the transformation happening within us, it often brings us to tears. Yet, it also brings deep joy. Just as the Levites encouraged the weeping Israelites by saying, "Do not weep, for this day is holy; do not be grieved," God comforts us.

Similarly, when Paul and Silas were imprisoned and miraculously released by God, the jailer took them to his home. Paul and Silas "spoke the word of the Lord to him together with all who were in his house. And he took them that very hour of the night and washed their wounds, and immediately he was baptized, he and all his household." (Acts 16:32-33)

We further read: "And he brought them into his house and set food before them, and rejoiced greatly, having believed in God with his whole household." (Acts 16:34)

If "godly sorrow" arises within us when we hear the Word of God, our salvation is certain. That sorrow ultimately produces joy. As it is written: "For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death." (2 Corinthians 7:10)

Have the words of Scripture ever stirred a sense of sin within your heart? Have you ever reflected and thought, “Was I really such a person?” It was because they felt this way that the Israelites wept when they heard the words of Scripture; and the jailer repented when he heard the words spoken by Paul. Yes, if we read the Scriptures not merely to receive worldly blessings, but believe and accept them as words that cleanse the impurity of our soul, we will become conscious of our sin; and then we will receive salvation.

"Inside the Seeds" 🌳

📖 AATHAVAN Bible Meditation – No. 1868                                   

🔆 Friday, March 20, 2026

"Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; and in Your book were all written the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them." (Psalm 139:16)

God knew us even before we existed in this world. It was according to His divine plan that we were formed in our mother's womb. Today, as soon as a child is conceived, doctors perform various scans to monitor the baby's growth and check if the limbs and organs are developing correctly. Sometimes, if they detect any defects or abnormalities, they recommend terminating the pregnancy.

Dearly beloved, we did not come into this world by chance. Where we should be born, to whom we should be born, and what our appearance and complexion should be—all of these were pre-planned by God.

In this world, almost everyone has some insecurity or dissatisfaction regarding their physical appearance. We might think, "I wish I were a bit fairer," "It would be better if I were taller," "I wish my hair were long and silky," or "It would be beautiful if my hair were curly." But today’s scripture reminds us: “And in Your book were all written the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them.” Yes, every detail was already planned by God.

Similarly, some are born with certain disabilities or infirmities from birth. God may have allowed them to be born that way for a specific purpose known only to Him. That is why the Scripture says: "Woe to the one who quarrels with his Maker—An earthenware vessel among the vessels of earth! Will the clay say to the potter, ‘What are you doing?’ Or the thing you are making say, ‘He has no hands’?" (Isaiah 45:9)

Regardless of how God has created us, it is essential that we maintain our bodies in holiness, acceptable to Him. This is because God created man in His own image. "Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?" (1 Corinthians 6:19) We have received our bodies from God; therefore, it is our duty to protect them as His temple.

Our physical appearance or worldly prosperity is not what matters most to God; what matters is whether we are living as holy people pleasing to Him. He is the one who knew us and formed us while we were yet a substance in the womb. He watches how a human being preserves the body He created until the very end.

Some people constantly compare themselves with others and long for the financial status or social standing that others possess. Some even confront their parents, asking, "If you couldn't provide me with a good life, why did you give birth to me?" Such questioning leads us toward a curse because, in doing so, we are acting against God’s divine plan.

This is why God says through Isaiah: "Woe to him who says to a father, 'What are you begetting?' Or to a woman, 'To what are you giving birth?'" (Isaiah 45:10, NASB)

The God who saw us while we were still in the womb will never forsake us. Let us continue our lives with that faith, and let us preserve the body He has given us in holiness, acceptable to Him.

"Inside the Seeds" 🌳

📖 AATHAVAN Bible Meditation — No. 1869

🔆 Saturday, March 21, 2026

"It was I who knew you in the wilderness, In the land of highest drought. As they had their pasture, they became satisfied, And being satisfied, their heart became proud; Therefore, they forgot Me." — Hosea 13:5-6

Today’s meditation verse contains words spoken by God with great sorrow regarding the ungrateful nature of human beings.

In our own lives, we often encounter such ungrateful people. There are those who approach us seeking help during their most difficult times, but once their circumstances change and they find prosperity, they forget the help we rendered. Not only that, but they sometimes even turn against us. Does this not cause deep mental anguish?

In the same way, the Israelites, who were redeemed from Egyptian bondage, were led by Moses through the wilderness toward Canaan. In that wilderness, God performed various miracles, guided them, and brought them into the land of Canaan. They enjoyed the prosperity of Canaan; however, they later rejected the true God who had delivered and led them through their crisis, and they began to worship other gods.

This is exactly what God expresses in today’s verse: "As they had their pasture, they became satisfied, and being satisfied, their heart became proud; therefore, they forgot Me." This shift became particularly evident among the Israelites after the era of Joshua.

"Then the sons of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord and served the Baals, and they abandoned the Lord, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt, and they followed other gods from the gods of the peoples who were around them, and bowed down to them; so they provoked the Lord to anger." — Judges 2:11-12

Even today, there are many Christians like this. When distress, suffering, or illness enter their lives, they immerse themselves in various acts of devotion and prayer. They seek out various ministers, attend prayer meetings, and worship God fervently. They even align many of their actions to be pleasing to Him.

However, once they receive what they petitioned for, they change. Often, they conclude their "spiritual life" simply by standing on a stage and sharing a testimony about the miracle God performed, and then they drift away.

This is the character described by the verse: becoming satisfied with the "pasture" and allowing the heart to become proud, leading to forgetting God. God does not desire for us to live for Him only until a specific need is met, only to return to our old way of life afterward.

Many say, "Since God changed the troubles in our lives, we have changed; today, we participate in spiritual worship services." But dear ones, it is not about continuously attending spiritual services; rather, it is about whether we have transformed our lives into spiritual lives. God desires from us a life and character that is distinct and set apart, not merely a different style of worship service.

If we do not transform ourselves—if we do not change our character to be spiritual—and remain merely "Worship Christians" (ritualistic), God will look at us with the same sorrow and say: "They became satisfied... and they forgot Me." Let us not forget the God who helped us in our "land of highest drought." Let us live not merely as "Worship Christians" in name, but as truly spiritual Christians throughout our lives.

"Inside the Seeds" 🌳

📖 AATHAVAN Scripture Meditation – No. 1870                                     🔆 Sunday, March 22, 2026

"Now then let the fear of the Lord be upon you; be very careful what you do, for the Lord our God will have no part in unrighteousness or partiality or the taking of a bribe." — 2 Chronicles 19:7

Judges who fear God and provide true justice have become significantly rare. We frequently see judges who, out of fear or enslavement to money and power, pervert justice. This is not a new phenomenon; it has been happening for three or four thousand years.

It was for this reason that Jehoshaphat, King of Judah, gave specific counsel to the judges he appointed. He stationed judges in every fortified city of Judah and instructed them as follows:

"He said to the judges, 'Consider what you are doing, for you do not judge for man but for the Lord who is with you when you render judgment.'" — 2 Chronicles 19:6 (NASB)

He continued by reminding them that there is no injustice, partiality, or bribery with the Lord our God. In other words, he warned them: "Just as you might take a bribe today to deliver a verdict, you will not be able to offer a bribe to God on the Final Judgment Day to secure a favourable verdict for yourself. Therefore, be careful."

Beloved readers, as you read this, you might think, "But I am not a judge." However, we must not forget that this verse applies equally to the things we do in our personal lives and within our homes.

If we treat a daughter-in-law who brought a large dowry one way, and treat another daughter-in-law with contempt, it means we are practicing partiality.

If we have one rule for our biological daughter and a different rule for our daughter-in-law, God is directing this warning toward us.

God is watching when we treat one son or daughter differently than the others, or when we show bias toward a "favourite" child while dividing inheritance or property.

I recently spoke with a brother who expressed deep sadness regarding his own family. Even in families where members attend spiritual churches, claim to be filled with the Holy Spirit, and speak in tongues, such unfairness exists. God gives this message as a stern warning to such individuals.

Let the fear of the Lord be upon you. Be careful in how you conduct your affairs, for there is no unrighteousness or partiality with the Lord your God. As the Lord says: "By your standard of measure, it will be measured to you" (Matthew 7:2).

"Inside the Seeds" 🌳

📖 AATHAVAN Bible Meditation — No. 1871

🔆 Monday, March 23, 2026

"Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets’; and He will say, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you are from; depart from Me, all you evildoers.’" (Luke 13:26–27)

In today's meditation verse, Jesus Christ points out that even if we have many outward acts of piety, they are all meaningless before God if we live a life without repentance.

Through these words, He makes us realize a vital truth. We may attend daily church services, participate in every gospel meeting held near our towns, take diligent notes on what the ministers speak, and even encourage and lead others to such gatherings. However, Jesus warns that these actions alone do not make us inheritors of the Kingdom of Heaven.

Though we participate in worship, attend gospel meetings, and involve ourselves in various activities claiming to serve the Lord, we cannot stand boldly before Him on the final Day of Judgment if the fruits God desires are missing from our lives. Jesus spoke of this through a parable describing what happens after the gates of heaven are shut.

If we read the verses leading up to today's passage, we see the sequence of events:

"Once the head of the house gets up and shuts the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock on the door, saying, ‘Lord, open up to us!’ then He will answer and say to you, ‘I do not know where you are from.’ Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets’; and He will say, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you are from; depart from Me, all you evildoers.’" (Luke 13:25–27)

In this parable, the phrase "We ate and drank in Your presence" refers to participating in worship and partaking in the Holy Communion. The phrase "You taught in our streets" refers to our participation in various gospel and prayer meetings held in different places. In short, Jesus Christ explains that we cannot obtain God's mercy on the final day simply by presenting these outward activities to Him.

God does not look at our religious performances; rather, He looks for a transformed life. He does not merely observe what our body and mind do, but examines how we are spiritually connected with Christ. This is why the Apostle Paul says:

"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." (Romans 8:1)

Indeed, there is no condemnation for those who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. We cannot live 100% like the people of this world and still claim to be acceptable to Him. If we remain in that state, He will look at us on the final day and say, "I do not know where you are from." Rather than merely observing a few rituals, let us strive to live according to the Spirit.

"Inside the Seeds" 🌳                                                                                                           📖 AATHAVAN Bible Meditation - No. 1872

🔆 Tuesday, March 24, 2026

"Like an eagle that stirs up its nest, that hovers over its young, He spread His wings and caught them, He carried them on His pinions. The Lord alone guided him, and there was no foreign god with him." (Deuteronomy 32:11-12)

After reading today’s meditation verse, I felt it would be good to learn more about eagles. While searching online, I found a fact about eagles that perfectly aligns with this scripture.

When the time comes for eaglets to grow feathers and fly, they do not easily leave their nests. They simply wait for the food brought by the mother eagle. The mother eagle knows that it is not good for the chicks to remain this way forever. Therefore, to force them out, she uses her beak to peck at and stir up (disturb) the nest where the chicks reside. Now, the chicks find themselves without a stable place to stay.

At that moment, having no other choice, they look toward the mother eagle. The mother eagle lets the chicks sit on her back, flies high into the air, and upon reaching a certain height, she drops them. With no other option, the chicks struggle and flap their wings, attempting to fly. The mother eagle watches them intently and catches them upon her wings from time to time to support them.

Yes, dear ones, today’s meditation verse tells us that God sustained Jacob in this very same way. The scripture says, "The Lord alone guided him, and there was no foreign god with him." In the preceding verse, we read:

"He found him in a desert land, and in the howling waste of a wilderness; He encircled him, He cared for him, He guarded him as the apple of His eye." (Deuteronomy 32:10)

The God who guided Jacob remains unchanging today. Our life today might feel like a desert land or a howling, empty wilderness. However, just as an eagle stirs up its nest, hovers over its young, spreads its wings to take them, and carries them on its pinions, the Lord will act in our lives to sustain and lead us.

When the mother eagle stirs up the nest, the chicks surely feel distressed. The chicks, who were living peacefully and eating their meals on time, must endure this hardship. Similarly, when the mother eagle pushes them down from a great height, it might seem to the chicks as though she is acting cruelly toward them. Yes, God performs similar actions in our lives as well. If we realize that this is for our own good, we will not be troubled.

Just like the stirring of a nest or being pushed from a height, many troubles may arise in our lives. But if such things happen while we are living in a way pleasing to God, it means the Lord has His eye upon us. If we look through the eyes of faith, we can sense His presence, just as the chicks see the mother eagle hovering nearby with spread wings. It is only because the nest is stirred and they feel "abandoned" that the eaglets become prepared for the next stage of their lives.

"Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all." (Psalm 34:19)

"Inside the Seeds" 🌳                                                                             📖 AATHAVAN Bible Meditation – No. 1873

🔆 Wednesday, March 25, 2026

"But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ." (Philippians 3:7)

In this world, we sometimes set our hearts on specific things. When we fail to obtain them, we feel deep sorrow. However, years later, when we receive something far better, we realize that it was actually for our good that our previous desires were not fulfilled. For instance, when seeking a marriage proposal for our children, we might grieve if a prospect we considered "the best" falls through. Yet, quite often, an even better match is found later on.

Similarly, there are times when our very limitations turn into our greatest blessings. I know a friend whose son struggled with his studies, causing his father constant worry. During this time, the son met with an accident that resulted in a minor physical disability in his leg. The father’s anxiety only deepened. Surprisingly, that very disability became the reason he secured a good job. Through the quota for the physically challenged, he gained employment that his low academic grades otherwise would not have qualified him for.

Just as that son secured a wonderful career opportunity despite—and because of—his physical limitation, the Apostle Paul says that for the sake of gaining Christ, he counted as loss all the things that were once gain to him. Paul, who held a high position and possessed great status, left everything behind to become a true servant of the Christ he had come to know.

Dearly beloved, to fully experience and rejoice in the love of Christ, we must be willing to let go of certain things. Those who insist on having worldly status, wealth, and fame while also wanting Christ cannot truly experience or attain Him in their lives. It is often through our weak and humble state that we sense His strength and experience His love most deeply.

Furthermore, when we share our experience of finding joy in Christ through our weaknesses with those who live in worldly prosperity, they may not understand. This is because they equate material prosperity alone with God's blessing. However, is it not true that a great achievement by a person lacking physical strength is admired far more than the same feat accomplished by a powerful warrior?

Regarding this, God spoke to the Apostle Paul, who recorded:

“And He has said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.’ Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9, NASB)

He continues:

“Therefore, I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:10, NASB)

These are not merely verses to be read; they are spiritual truths to be experienced. If you find yourself lacking in some area of this world, rejoice in Christ. Christ will be with you.

"Inside the Seeds" 🌳

📖 AATHAVAN Bible Meditation — No. 1874

🔆 March 26, 2026, Thursday

"This is the promise which He Himself made to us: eternal life. These things I have written to you concerning those who are trying to deceive you." (1 John 2:25-26)

The most significant promise offered by the Lord Jesus Christ concerns eternal life. This world is inherently unstable; our relationships, possessions, reputation, power, and wealth—even our very lives on earth—are temporary. However, our soul is eternal. For our soul to truly live for all eternity, it is essential that we are united with Christ and receive the eternal life He offers. Without this, the soul faces an eternity of unrest within the fires of hell.

Unfortunately, many modern preachers fail to teach this truth. Instead, they present Jesus Christ merely as a means to obtain worldly blessings. Today’s meditation verse warns that those who teach such things are deceivers. This is why John writes, "These things I have written to you concerning those who are trying to deceive you."

In a Christian context, "death" is often equated with the destruction of the soul. True death is the soul descending into the abyss of hell. Conversely, escaping this spiritual death and living forever is what it means to attain eternal life or to "conquer death." Jesus emphasized these many times during His earthly ministry. While speaking to Martha, the sister of Lazarus, He said:

"Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?'" (John 11:25-26)

He shared this same truth with the Jews, saying:

"Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word, he will never see death." (John 8:51)

However, the Jews did not grasp the spiritual truth Jesus was presenting. They viewed death through a purely worldly lens and responded:

"The Jews said to Him, 'Now we know that You have a demon. Abraham died, and the prophets also; and You say, "If anyone keeps My word, he will never taste of death." (John 8:52)

Even today, many people share the mindset of those Jews. While they may believe that Jesus Christ can perform miracles, heal their diseases, and grant them worldly prosperity, they remain indifferent or resistant when spoken to about eternal life.

Beloved, the Bible was not written simply so we could learn about Jesus’ miracles to claim them for ourselves. Rather, it was written so that we might believe in Him and receive eternal life through Him. As we read:

"...but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name." (John 20:31)

The choice is before us: Will we choose fleeting worldly blessings followed by spiritual death? Or will we choose eternal life, where the soul lives in unending fellowship with God? He has set these two paths before us; the choice is ours to make.

"Inside the Seeds" 🌳

📖 AATHAVAN Bible Meditation – No. 1875                                                 🔆 Friday, March 27, 2026

"Oh, that there were one among you who would shut the gates, that you might not uselessly kindle fire on My altar! I am not pleased with you," says the Lord of hosts, "nor will I accept an offering from your hands." (Malachi 1:10)

Though the priests of Israel performed ministry for God, they did not do so with a willing heart. They turned temple duties into a mere profession. They began demanding money from the people just to maintain the temple or to offer sacrifices.

However, God had not commanded them to act this way. Instead, He had already provided for them by allowing them to take a portion of the offerings presented by the Israelites. As it is written:

"You and your households may eat it anywhere, for it is your compensation in return for your service in the tent of meeting." (Numbers 18:31)

Furthermore, God did not give the Levites a land inheritance like the other tribes; instead, He designated the tithe for them. We read:

"For the tithe of the sons of Israel, which they offer as an offering to the Lord, I have given to the Levites for an inheritance; therefore, I have said concerning them, 'They shall have no inheritance among the sons of Israel.'" (Numbers 18:24)

Despite this provision, the Levites overstepped. They began charging fees just to open and shut the temple doors or to kindle the fire on the altar when someone came to sacrifice. This is why God laments in today’s verse: "Oh that there were one among you who would shut the gates, that you might not uselessly kindle fire on My altar!"

In short, they transformed divine service into a profit-making business. Consequently, the Lord of hosts declared: "I am not pleased with you... nor will I accept an offering from your hands."

Beloved, God does not desire us to look for personal gain in everything we do for Him. He seeks service rooted in genuine love. This is why the Apostle Paul instructs us:

"Let all that you do be done in love." (1 Corinthians 16:14)

Today, let us examine the mindset with which we serve in our churches. Even if we do not do it for money, if we serve for the sake of fame or to earn the high regard of others, we are no different from the Levites mentioned in this passage.

Whether it is for money, name, or fame—if these are our motives—God does not recognize our efforts. As today’s verse warns, the Lord of hosts is not pleased with such service. God accepts our actions only when they are carried out with true, godly love.

"Inside the Seeds" 🌳

📖 AATHAVAN Bible Meditation — No. 1876                                                   🔆 Saturday, March 28, 2026

"As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life." (John 3:14–15)

The core truth of today’s meditation is that the Lord Jesus Christ had to be lifted up on the cross as an atonement for our sins. This was the foreordained plan of God the Father. Our Lord Jesus Christ explains this truth by pointing us toward an event from the Old Testament.

When the Israelites journeyed through the wilderness, they grumbled against God and Moses, standing in opposition to God’s will. As a result, God sent fiery took serpents among them as a punishment. Many were bitten and died. Then the people came to Moses and said, "We have sinned, because we have spoken against the Lord and you; intercede with the Lord for us." Moses prayed for the people.

"Then the Lord said to Moses, 'Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a standard; and it shall come about, that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, he will live.'" (Numbers 21:8)

When Moses made the bronze serpent and set it up, those who had been bitten looked at it and were healed.

Old Testament events serve as a shadow (image) of things to come in the New Testament era; they are not necessarily patterns we are meant to replicate literally. As we read in scripture:

"For the Law, since it has only a shadow of the good things to come and not the very form of things..." (Hebrews 10:1)

We cannot use God’s instruction to Moses to justify idolatry. The very first of the Ten Commandments given to Moses was:

"You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth." (Exodus 20:4)

God does not contradict Himself. What He has spoken remains firm.

Beloved, just as those bitten by snakes were healed by looking at the bronze serpent lifted by Moses, those on the verge of spiritual death due to the grip of sin can find salvation by looking toward Jesus Christ, who was lifted up on the cross. This is the ultimate truth of the Bible.

God never commanded the people to worship the serpent Moses created. However, the Israelites eventually began to worship it and burn incense to it. When King Hezekiah saw this, he was moved to righteous anger and destroyed it.

"He removed the high places and broke down the sacred pillars and cut down the Asherah. He also broke in pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had made, for until those days the sons of Israel burned incense to it; and it was called Nehushtan." (2 Kings 18:4)

Later, when King Hezekiah was terminally ill and near death, he pointed to his faithfulness in doing what was right (including this act of purifying worship) and prayed:

"Remember now, O Lord, I beseech You, how I have walked before You in truth and with a whole heart and have done what is good in Your sight." And Hezekiah wept bitterly. (2 Kings 20:3)

Because of this, God extended his life by fifteen years.

Beloved, the serpent lifted by Moses was a foreshadowing of Jesus being lifted on the cross. It was not an event intended to justify idol worship. Let us look only to Jesus Christ, who was lifted up for us, and receive His salvation.

"Inside the Seeds" 🌳

📖 AATHAVAN Bible Meditation - No. 1877

🔆 Sunday, March 29, 2026

"Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; He is just and endowed with salvation, Humble, and mounted on a donkey, Even on a colt, the foal of a donkey." (Zechariah 9:9)

Today’s meditation verse is a vision shared by the prophet Zechariah, who lived between 520–518 BC, foretelling the Lord Jesus Christ’s glorious entry into Jerusalem. In fulfilment of this prophecy, we read: "Jesus, finding a young donkey, sat on it" (John 12:14).

A large crowd "took the branches of the palm trees and went out to meet Him, and began to shout, 'Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel'" (John 12:13). This was the day Jesus Christ was publicly accepted and declared by the people as the King of Israel who comes in the name of the Lord.

Generally, kings travel on horses or in palanquins. However, they would travel on donkeys to signify peace. When a king arrives on a donkey, it signifies he comes to speak peace to the people, and there is no need to fear him.

Jesus Christ came to earth as the Prince of Peace. Yet, the people, the priests, and the rulers did not recognize Him as a King because He lacked the worldly grandeur typical of royalty. Nevertheless, He did not hesitate to declare Himself a King.

"Therefore, Pilate said to Him, 'So You are a king?' Jesus answered, 'You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.'" (John 18:37)

Today’s verse describes Him as "just and endowed with salvation, humble, and mounted on a donkey." Zechariah beautifully captures the character of Jesus Christ in this prophecy.

This entry into Jerusalem was not a humanly orchestrated event. We read: "These things His disciples did not understand at the first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written of Him, and that they had done these things to Him" (John 12:16). They did not do this by a set plan; rather, the prophecy concerning Him was naturally fulfilled.

Today, it is not enough for us to participate in processions with palm branches out of mere duty. It is essential to realize that He is truly coming to seek us. As the verse says, "Behold, your king is coming to you." Yes, He comes to us, the daughters of Zion.

Zechariah’s prophecy did not end with the time of Christ; it continues to be fulfilled in us today. Just as people roll out red carpets for dignitaries today, the people then spread their garments on the road to welcome Jesus. The donkey that carried Him walked with dignity. Because it carried Him, even the donkey received honour.

Similarly, when we carry Him in our hearts, God the Father will glorify us—even though we may be humble like that donkey. Furthermore, the character of Christ will dwell within us. As He is righteous, we will live righteously. Because He is the Savior, we shall be saved. Because He is humble, we too shall be transformed into humble beings.

"Inside the Seeds" 🌳

📖 AATHAVAN Bible Meditation – No. 1876                                     

 🔆 Monday, March 30, 2026

"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me." (Psalm 23:4)

A valley is a low-lying area situated between mountains or high hills. Generally, valleys are fertile regions because of the abundance of water. However, they are also areas where dangers are prevalent.

The significant hardships of valley regions include wild beasts, venomous snakes, darkness that settles quickly, and the fear of thieves. David, drawing from his childhood experience of wandering through such valleys while shepherding sheep, declares: "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil."

Yes, dear ones, in our lives too, we may have to pass through similar "valley" phases. We might be enduring atrocities such as the schemes of people working against us, diseases that threaten us like venomous snakes, or the injustice of having our rightful job opportunities, promotions, and government benefits stolen by others. But let us practice saying, like David: "I fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me."

David spoke of God’s rod and staff comforting him because he had personally experienced God being his strength and support. By that divine strength, David killed a lion and a bear even before he slew Goliath.

We know this from his words: "But David said to Saul, 'Your servant was tending his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and took a lamb from the flock, I went out after him and attacked him, and rescued it from his mouth; and when he rose up against me, I seized him by his beard and struck him and killed him.'" (1 Samuel 17:34-35)

This prior experience gave David the mental courage to defeat Goliath. Yes, dear ones, if we recognize God as the one who is with us, we will not fear any obstacle. Even if our life’s journey goes through a valley, the strength of knowing God is with us will enable us to live a life of victory. It is because of this experience that the Apostle Paul says: "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13)

Let us live as those who are assured of God’s constant presence with us.

"Inside the Seeds" 🌳

📖 AATHAVAN Biblical Meditation – No. 1876                                                   🔆 Tuesday, March 31, 2026

"So, the woman left her water jar, and went into the city and said to the men, 'Come, see a man who told me all the things that I have done; this is not the Christ, is it?'" (John 4:28-29)

If we are to know God in our lives, it is essential to have an open heart; a mindset that accepts our sins and transgressions is necessary. We realize this through the statement of the Samaritan woman in today’s meditation verse.

Generally, we enjoy it when others speak highly of us, and we proudly share those compliments with others. However, if someone points out our faults or highlights our mistakes, we do not proudly share that with anyone. But here, this Samaritan woman speaks with conviction about how Jesus pointed out the irregularities in her lifestyle. She brings others to Jesus Christ by saying, "Come, see a man who told me all the things that I have done."

What exactly did Jesus Christ say about her? When Jesus spoke to her, He spoke about the Living Water He provides. She asked Him, "Sir, give me this water."

"He said to her, 'Go, call your husband and come here.' The woman answered and said, 'I have no husband.' Jesus said to her, 'You have correctly said, "I have no husband"; for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; this which you have said is true.'" (John 4:16-18)

She had five husbands, and the sixth person she was living with was not her husband. In other words, her life was an immoral one. This is what Jesus Christ pointed out. Yet, this woman invites others, saying, "Come, see a man who told me all the things that I have done." Normally, if someone points out our faults directly to us like this, we would get angry or avoid speaking to them and leave the place.

But she leads others to Jesus Christ. We read in John 4:39: "From that city many of the Samaritans believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified, 'He told me all the things that I have done.'" Not only that, they invited Jesus Christ to stay in their town, and He stayed there for two days (John 4:40).

Would we react this way if a servant of God pointed out our sinful life? The senior pastor of the Indian Pentecostal Church where I first attended, Pastor Johnson David, would speak like this to many. He would not mention people's mistakes and sinful lives in public but would address the concerned individuals privately. Nevertheless, many would feel hurt and avoid going to his church. He has also pointed out many of my own faults to me several times. Such pastors are rare today.

However, only if we function in spiritual matters with a mindset like this woman—"Come, see a man who told me all the sins I have committed"—can we know Christ more deeply. Only then can we realize our sins and forsake them; only then can we receive God’s mercy and redemption. Indeed, "He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion." (Proverbs 28:13)