Thoughts in Worship

Message Magazine's Online Devotional for Friday, August 11, 2017

Audio Link: https://www.spreaker.com/user/reachmanyradio/thoughts-in-worship-08-11-2017

This is devotional thought number 49 in our devotional series, “Essentials of Faith.” Our subject is: Growth in Him

Here’s the question for consideration: What happens when I focus on the goodness or faults of self or others?

“The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” (Luke 18:11–14).

“Houston, we’ve had a problem;” and that problem is us when we lost focus of Christ.

You read the theme text, right? Here’s brass tacks: If you want to have an insurmountable spiritual problem, keep your gaze earthward. Keep on self-assessing and criticizing or worshipping others. While we make others our focus, the King of the universe is presenting His perfect example and we’re missing it.

The key to God-focus is humility. We have to be willing to take a step back and hear what He has to say about everything. We have to be willing to practice whatever He is kind enough to reveal. We have to become well acquainted with the Holy Spirit’s still small voice so we can discern right from wrong. The Pharisee in our theme text must have had on headphones with 20,000 affirmations playing into his psyche telling him how great he was. Can you imagine? He had the nerve to present his narcissistic resume to God, as though He’d be impressed. Meanwhile, the humble sinner was willing to appeal to the mercy of God, because he knew he had nothing of value to offer. As a blessed result, the sinner was transformed into a saint while the self-donned wannabe saint continued in his sins.

So, let’s keep things real simple, shall we? Invest your time beholding God, His Word, and His love, and you will not have time to become self-absorbed and self-deceived. The cool thing is that wherever our eyes are fixed, our bodies go. Have you ever tried to walk one way and look into the opposite direction?

I have nothing fancy to say. Keep your eyes riveted on Jesus. He’s your example anyway.—L. David Harris (www.DavidWritesaLot.com)