Your Summer Reading List June 21, 2026 Devotional

The Mustard Seed

I planted grapes in my backyard three years ago. When I look at them today, I am amazed that grape vines grow in Phoenix and can survive the summer heat. In their second year, two of the three vines produced grapes—I was thrilled. The grapes were close to being ready for harvest. I left on a summer vacation and was so excited to come back to pick and eat those delicious grapes that I grew in my backyard. Upon my return, I discovered that the grapes had been eaten by the birds and other critters. I was so dejected. But alas, that is life on the farm.

Jesus used many stories from farm life to teach and share about God’s goodness. There is life and death, abundance and scarcity on the farm just like there is life and death, abundance and scarcity in this world. Jesus helps us come to terms with these truths in our life and expands our perspective to give us good hope in God.

31 He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. 32 Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.”
Matthew 13:31-32

How do you deal with disappointment?