Daily Devotional for October 4, 2014

Jeremiah 17:14-18
You, Lord, are the one I praise.
    So heal me and rescue me!
Then I will be completely well
    and perfectly safe.
The people of Judah say to me,
“Jeremiah, you claimed to tell us
    what the Lord has said.
So why hasn’t it come true?”

Our Lord, you chose me
to care for your people,
    and that’s what I have done.
You know everything I have said,
and I have never once
    asked you to punish them.
I trust you for protection
in times of trouble,
    so don’t frighten me.
Keep me from failure
    and disgrace,
but make my enemies fail
    and be disgraced.
Send destruction to make
    their worst fears come true.

Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.

In the closing paragraphs of her book, Just Give Me Jesus*, Anne Graham Lotz talks about how Peter responds to Jesus in the 21st chapter of the Book of John.  Jesus has questioned Peter and asked him more than once, “Do you really love Me?”  Peter is exasperated and finally points to another beloved disciple and asks, “What about him?”  In verse 22, we read...”Jesus answered, ‘What is it to you, if I want him to live until I return? You must follow me.’”

Lotz makes the point that how Jesus works in the lives of other people – and how they respond to Him – is basically none of our business.  We are not to compare ourselves with others.  We are to focus on Jesus – and Jesus alone.  And other people are to do the same.

This is hard.  We are all about comparing ourselves to others. Are we as successful, attractive, popular, intelligent, or talented as the other guy?  Surely we are healthier...our “lifestyle habits” are not as bad as his/hers...right?  Clearly we are more faith-filled...a better servant...more “Christ-like”!  And OBVIOUSLY, we are more humble!

Pay close attention to the words of Jeremiah - and the admonition of Anne Graham Lotz...focus solely on Jesus.  Worship and adore only Him.  Listen for His voice and do what He commands of you.  Forget about the other guy and what he/she is doing – or not.  Quit comparing yourself to everyone else, because Jesus has told us plainly in John 1:22 that whatever and however He chooses to work with others – and how they respond – is between the two of them and does not involve us.  It has nothing to do with our own relationship with Jesus.

Focus on your connection with Jesus.  Worship Him with every fiber of your being, and expect him to keep you “completely well and perfectly safe”, according to His will.  Trust that you are operating within His will, and that He most certainly will care for you – flawlessly and entirely.

Lotz closes with an interesting question...”Have you been deeply disturbed and discouraged – even depressed – as you have looked at the lives of those who say they are disciples...and the community that calls itself the church yet not seen Jesus?”  She concludes that if Jesus can’t be seen anywhere else, let Him surely be seen in your life – and mine.  Jeremiah asked GOD to punish those who had criticized him and behaved poorly.  Lotz is suggesting that we concentrate on ourselves and our own bond with Jesus, the healer of everyone and everything.

Where is your focus today? Are you busy comparing yourself with others and hoping you “fare pretty well”?  Or are you fixated on praising and pleasing Jesus – and living in His perfect healing and the safety of His protection?  Is time you for a shift of emphasis?  Wouldn’t this be a good day to begin?

©2014 Debbie Robus

*Just Give Me Jesus - ©2000 Anne Graham Lotz – Word Publishing, a Thomas Nelson Company