Focus

Daily Reading:  Acts 8

Even Simon himself believed, and after being baptized he continued with Philip. And seeing signs and great miracles performed, he was amazed. (Acts 8.13)

Devotional Thought: Philip had fled to Samaria to escape persecution.  There, he “proclaimed... the Christ.”  Philip also was enabled by the Holy Spirit to perform miracles of healing and deliverance.  A man named Simon heard his messages and saw the power that seemed to rest upon him and the other apostles.  Simon believed and was baptized.  Soon, however, Simon got his eyes off “the Christ” whom he had met through Philip’s preaching and instead focused on “this power.”  Peter wasted no time, but immediately rebuked Simon for his wrong focus. 

Focus matters.  When we focus on the wrong things, we grow the wrong direction!  We must be very careful to focus on Christ and not on the miracles or the powers or the blessings that he gives.  Jesus told a parable in which some seed fell in good soil and produced a hundredfold.  But, some fell on the path only to be snatched away by the birds.  Other seed fell among the rocks where the plants sprung up quickly but also quickly died.  This incident in Simon’s life reminded me of the seed that fell among the weeds where the plants grew up but were eventually choked out by the weeds.  Jesus said it this way: “the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful” (Matthew 13.22). 

Simon was a true believer who was deceived by his wealth and his desire for power.  Peter saw that Simon’s mixed motives would prove disastrous, so he gave him a stern warning.  Simon repented and prayed that he would be delivered from these wrong motives and their eventual outcome.  May we – by grace! – fix our eyes on Jesus!

Prayer: Lord, so often I focus on the blessings you hold in your hands.  Help me, instead, to focus on you yourself.  May I grow closer and closer to you as I gaze upon your beauty.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 71:9-16

9 Do not cast me off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength is spent.

10 For my enemies speak concerning me; those who watch for my life consult together

11 and say, "God has forsaken him; pursue and seize him, for there is none to deliver him."

12 O God, be not far from me; O my God, make haste to help me!

13 May my accusers be put to shame and consumed; with scorn and disgrace may they be covered who seek my hurt.

14 But I will hope continually and will praise you yet more and more.

15 My mouth will tell of your righteous acts, of your deeds of salvation all the day, for their number is past my knowledge.

16 With the mighty deeds of the Lord GOD I will come; I will remind them of your righteousness, yours alone.