Weekly Devotional April 23, 2017 – They Cast Lots for His Garments
And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.” – Matthew 27:35
They had the wrong focus. They were so busy looking at the clothes that they missed the real benefit of what He brought to their presence.
It seems impossible to imagine. How could the people that encountered the miracles and the blessings miss it?
And yet they did. Not only did the soldiers miss it that day, but the very followers of Jesus could not seem to grasp it.
It is no wonders that the wrong focus still exists today.
They come for the show – for the music, for the exceptional preaching, the great atmosphere, and even the great coffee. They are focused on the things that they can get and they are missing what He brings into their presence.
I’ve done it – more times than I care to admit. The music was too loud, or too slow, or too traditional, or too contemporary. Something someone said or did or how they looked caused me to focus on anything other than His presence.
How do I get back there – to that place of right focus?
Thoughts on How to Get the Right Focus
- Make time for the Word. The Word should start my day and should finish my day – the perfect protective bookends to all that I need to do and need to be. I have to make the choice to make time for the Word.
- Make time for the quiet. I will not hear the Still Small Voice as long as it’s being crowded out by the noise and chaos that is constantly available. I have to choose to make time for the quiet.
- Remember the reason. I have to be so focused on the real reason for being where I am that the other things don’t even get noticed.
It will be a challenge because the world will make a scene while the Word waits to be noticed. Although He calls to me, He does not beat down my door. The world will beat down my door (and me as well if given the chance).
How will you see past the garments this week?
Weekly Challenge for Scripture Living
Take five minutes in the morning and five minutes in the evening to regain the right focus. Write out some thoughts of praise or simply speak those words aloud as praise or thanks to God and a reminder to you.
Recommended Reading – Psalm 19
