Friday, February 26, 2016

"Distraction" Part 2


  "Distraction"

Part 2



   I find that the most motivating, strengthening, and challenging consideration whereby we overcome the temptation to distraction involves the truth of God's un-distractedness.

    "The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous… The Lord thinketh upon me" (Psalm 34:15; 40:17).

    Even as I typed the words above, a combination of joy and sorrow came to mind.  I rejoice because of God's loving and undivided devotion to His trusting sons and daughters in Christ.  I sorrow because I too often fail to remember the wonder of our Lord's fixed gaze upon us, and the great pleasure He finds in our fellowship.  "The prayer of the upright is His delight" (Proverbs 15:8).  Nothing should more elicit our approach to the Throne of Heaven than the truth that its glorious Occupant rejoices to see us coming.  I believe no truth of Scripture more.  I understand no truth of Scripture less.  Moreover, I do not respond to such truth with the purity of attention toward God it should motivate.  Joy and sorrow indeed…

    Even in this moment, our Heavenly Father looks upon us and thinks about us.  His heart is set upon those in whom the Spirit of His Son dwells.  His infinite mind forever abides in undistracted commitment to the relationship and fellowship with us He provides in Christ.  No thought should more thrill us - "In Thy presence is fulness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures forevermore" (Psalm 16:11).  And no thought should more cause us to realize the importance of overcoming temptations to distraction - "I will look unto the Lord" (Micah 7:7).  Yes, distraction overcome leads to delight - in God - and in ourselves as in the wonder of grace we bless His heart, and as in the wonder of grace He blesses ours.

"The Lord taketh pleasure in His people" (Psalm 149:4).

Weekly Memory Verse
    Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
(I Corinthians 15:58)



No comments: