Glen, a longtime family friend, took a spill inside his home and fractured his neck. Fortunately, he didn’t need surgery. His doctor fitted him with a neck brace and instructed him not to bend, lift, or turn until his neck had healed. This meant that he had to move his entire body to see anything outside his direct line of sight. He could focus only on what was directly in front of him.
God wanted the Israelites to focus on Him exclusively—keeping Him at the center of their lives. According to Joshua, the people were not to turn “to the right or to the left” (Joshua 23:6). This wasn’t easy for the nation of nomads when they entered the Promised Land. Distractions were everywhere—pagan gods, exotic foreigners, and an array of unusual customs.
Still, God promised to bless the Israelites if they would concentrate on Him. They would have the respect of other nations, gain victories, and enjoy climate changes tailored to meet their needs! Their children, crops, and livestock would flourish (Deuteronomy 28:1-14). Joshua warned them, however, “If you turn away from [God] and cling to the customs of the survivors of these nations . . . and if you intermarry . . . [then] they will be a snare and a trap to you, a whip for your backs” (Joshua 23:12-13).
As believers in Jesus, we live in a world teeming with temptations that can dilute our devotion to God. Discipline in our spiritual lives can help us focus on Him. Contemplating Scripture, conversing with God, worshiping Him, and fasting are some prime practices to keep us from turning to the left or to the right (Joshua 23:6). Staying focused on Him means loving Him with all of our heart, soul, strength, and mind (Luke 10:27).
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Joshua 1:1-18
More:
Read Daniel 6:10,19-23 to see how one person’s unwavering devotion can affect others.
Next:
Why does God prize our wholehearted devotion to Him? What kind of spiritual discipline most effectively helps you focus on God?
Gary Shultz on February 27, 2015 at 7:44 am
Wow, we just talked about this last night. For some reason today’s believer says, I’m a little more liberal than you, you’re legalistic. When God is clear in His word as to what is right and what is wrong. Social positioning has nothing to do with it. We either obey or disobey, anything else is not a reason, it’s an excuse, to fashionable do or not do what God has stated. Now we must figure how to live as a witness to the greatness of our Lord and to show He really did mean what He said. Thanks
jennifer benson schuldt on February 27, 2015 at 9:38 am
Gary, great point about the many differences between believers. Spending too much time on those differences gets us to focus on each other and our personal preferences, rather than God. It’s a very subtle form of distraction because it is “Christian” in nature. Ironically, I think the differences matter less when we’re all looking at the LORD. Psalm, chapter 73, verse 8 says, “I keep my eyes always on the LORD. With Him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.”
Marlena Graves on February 27, 2015 at 9:26 am
Thank you for pointing out disciplines that can help keep our eyes on Jesus. Some that I use in addition to the ones you mentioned are confession to trusted others, pilgrimage to special places that remind me of God/God’s work in my life, and service to others. We need them so as not to be distracted!
jennifer benson schuldt on February 27, 2015 at 9:43 am
Hi Marlena,
Thanks for your comment! One of my favorites is Bible reading. I’m a book lover, so I am continually drawn to what God has written down and given to us. I’d like to do more memorization. Also, recently, I’ve been having some great time in prayer focusing on praising God. Silent, inner worship has become a new favorite practice. 🙂
street on February 27, 2015 at 11:04 am
i noticed many “spiritual disciplines” mentioned at the end of the article. one Spiritual Disciple was missing ” obedience.”
Winn Collier on February 28, 2015 at 5:27 pm
I think I could use a neck brace some days. Hope your friend is well.