The Cure for a Scattered Mind

 

Each person thinks that whatever they experience is the same as every other person. After living several decades, I realize that is not true. While we are alike in many ways, we are also unique. I rarely meet another person with the same interests, skills, and weaknesses that I have. One of those weaknesses is a sharp mind that is so easily distracted that sticking to one thought, never mind one project, has always been a challenge. This morning, I read these verses and wonder if Jesus was like that too . . .

For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. Therefore, he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. (Hebrews 2:16–18)

MacArthur’s title for this devotion is: Jesus came to sympathize with us, so He could be our merciful and faithful High Priest.

Being made like us “in every respect” is mind-boggling. He suffered our struggles so He could help us with them? That is what the Bible says yet when I think of having a scattered mind, I associate it with sin, a human weakness and lack of self-control. Since Jesus never sinned, how could He know by experience what it is like to be easily distracted? He certainly didn’t behave as if He was.

However, there is truth found in Paul’s advice to a young pastor. He gave instruction to him about several things such as his health, critics, moral and spiritual warfare, and summed it up with:

Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel. (2 Timothy 2:8)

This is key to a distracted mind. I’m learning that whatever else I try to concentrate on does not stick, but when I “remember Jesus” and focus on Him, my mind will stay there. Jesus, as fully human, did something like that. He said it this way:

“My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work” . . . . and “For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me.” (John 4:36 and 6:38)

The OT put it this way: “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” (Isaiah 26:3) Jesus totally trusted His Father and fixed His mind on the Father’s will. He talked and listened to His Father and made that a priority. This is the cure for a scattered mind and wandering thoughts.

This line from this devotional book is entirely true: Like Timothy, we need to be reminded of Christ’s humanity, especially when life becomes particularly tough. Then we can pray, “Lord, You know what You endured while You were here. I’m going through it now.” We can be sure that He knows and will encourage us.

It isn’t just a wandering mind, but whatever else causes me to struggle, Jesus knows it. He came not only to save me from sin but to experience what I experience, so He could be a “merciful and faithful high priest.”

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. (Hebrews 4:15)

Jesus felt everything I will ever feel and knows what it is like to be tempted to stop trusting His Father. He faced temptation in full degree — without sin. Instead, He sweat drops of blood and said, “Not my will, but thine be done.”

PRAY: Jesus, I am more and more aware of how You entered this world fully human but without sin. Also, that I can focus on You and my mind is not so apt to stray elsewhere, even while I’m occupied with other things. You enable me to pray and praise You, even while washing dishes or making a quilt, or whatever else might be going on. You knew the distractions and resisted them by focusing on the Father. You also gave me Your mind so I can focus on You and not be distracted (1 Corinthians 2:16). You are my Lord and Savior, expressing Your great love and grace to the nth degree.

PONDER: “No temptation has overtaken me that is not common to man (or even to Jesus). God is faithful, and he will not let me be tempted beyond my ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that I may be able to endure it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13, personalized)

 

 

Death Destroyed

 

We watch many television shows that depict justice for a crime or other evil activities. One series hasn’t reached the end where the culprit is found and justice is served. I find that unsettling and want to ‘read the last page’ and put the story to rest.

These stories involve death and the power of death is evident in the fear and anguish it causes. This week a family we know experienced a miscarriage. Even thought that child had not been born, its death caused a deep sorrow. Death is the final enemy, at least without Jesus it would be.

Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. (Hebrews 2:14–15)

Christ broke the one who held that power. Satan was not crushed, at least not then, but when Jesus conquered death, that rude enemy lost his great weapon. He still uses lies to mess with human minds, but Jesus exposes lies too. He said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6) This means that He covers all that Satan throws at us. Jesus provides Himself as the way to God. He is truth that overcomes all Satan’s lies. And He is the life that beat death and removes our fear of it.

The Bible says, “You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!” (James 2:19) This is a sharp word to those who think that believing in God is all that is needed to enter heaven. It also shows that Satan knows about sin, punishment, and that all people without Christ will die and be out of God’s presence forever. He wants to deceive people about these things so they die without taking Christ’s offer of eternal life through faith. His lies include: “You are a good person and okay” and “God loves people too much to punish them” and “Death is the end, nothing after it.”

To remove the power of lies and death from Satan, God sent Christ into the world, declaring He is the way, the truth, the life. With faith in Him and His Word, the enemy’s weapons are useless.

Jesus proves it by His life, His words, how He takes care of His people, but mostly by conquering death. He boldly declared to His disciples:

Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. (John 14:19)

Death then is not an enemy. Instead, it is our final release from sin and battling the devil’s and ushering us into the presence of our Lord where we can say: “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21)

PRAY: There are days, Lord, when the idea of death puts me into stress. I feel ‘not ready’ but not because my spiritual business is missing, but because I have so much that I’d like to do or get done before I go. That says something about my value system. Shed light or whatever is needed so the stress is gone.

PONDER: MacArthur suggested reading part of 1 Corinthians 15 to think about today. The last verse is light for me: “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:58) Whatever gets done will have value. The rest does not matter.