Day 2: Focus Determines Direction

Day 2 of the 7 day Worship Devotional Series. For 7 days, we are featuring a devotional paired up with a song written on the same scripture. Every day on the blog we will publish a new devotion and a new song from the NewSpring Worship Team.

Read: John 1:29

Our focus determines our direction. For example, how many times have you been driving a car, taken your eyes off the road for a minute, and began to drift towards the left or the right? In defensive driving classes, they teach you to keep your car centered by fixing your gaze straight ahead as far down the road as possible. When our gaze is fixed on something, our course will follow. Life works the same way. What we focus on becomes the new direction of our decisions.

The focus of the Jewish crowd in John 1 changed the moment Jesus stepped forward to be baptized by John. The announcement, “Look, the Lamb of God," carried the weight of a lengthy anticipation. For thousands of years, the Jewish people had been waiting for a Messiah, a savior that could restore God’s kingdom and free them from oppression. At this point, John didn’t know everything about Jesus’ upcoming ministry. He did not know much about Jesus’ eventual death and resurrection, but he knew Jesus was worth his immediate focus. Finally, Jesus was there. Finally, God had fulfilled His promise and would remove the sins of the whole world.

So, what are you looking at? Are your circumstances so daunting that they have caused you to take your eyes off God?  John’s message to Israel on that day 2,000 years ago is the same for us on this day: Look! He is here, the one who will take away our sin. Jesus, the one we have been waiting on the one who will save us. God Himself came to earth. He wants to fix what is broken and heal what is sick. Finally, He is here. No more drifting or waiting. Look, He is here!

Listen:

Listen to Behold the Lamb of God

Download MP3

Reflect:

• What are some practical ways to keep our focus on God and His promises?
• Is there anything in your life that has your worried, tired, or focusing on the wrong things? Are you ready to change your focus?

Day 1: Words of Thanks