ONE THING IS NEEDFUL Luke 10:42 "But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her." Psalm 27:4 "One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in His temple." Philippians 3:13 "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before." -- Monday:
"One thing is needful . . . " (Luke 10:42).
From the heavenly perspective, human need narrows down to "one thing"–a solitary focus and quest. Everything that is valid and good comes under the heading of this "one thing." This is expressed several ways in the Word of God, shedding light on how life is to be approached.
Mary and Martha were believers, and Jesus was close to both of them. There was, however, an incident in their lives that provides an excellent example of the power of emphasis. It is written, as Jesus and His disciples were "traveling along, He entered into a certain village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home." When Jesus entered her home, accepting the invitation, He began communicating the things of God, as He was wont to do. Mary, Martha's sister, was enthralled with Christ, and sat at His feet, drinking in every word.
There came a point in time when the responsibilities related to entertaining the Guest became too burdensome for Martha. She asked Jesus to speak to Mary, alerting her to the need for her in the completion of the "preparations." In solemn tones she asked, "Do you not care that my sister has left me to do all of the serving alone? Then tell her to help me." It certainly seemed reasonable enough -- at least from the carnal point of view.
Our Lord's reply is arresting; " . . . but only one thing is needed"
This is a statement of EMPHASIS. Note what the man of God says. He speaks of a dominating preference. He has desired "one thing," and that from the Lord. That single objective is to be with the Lord forever, discerning the Person of God and inquiring concerning Divine objectives and intents.
Do not think this means David never desired anything else; that he was never hungry, thirsty, concerned for his offspring, or contemplative of the military exploits into which he was called. But these things were not his emphasis. Rather, they were all subordinated to his overriding desire to be with His blessed Lord.
How is it that in a complicated world, with Apostolic responsibilities, a single desire could dominate this individual. Rest assured, Paul was not eccentric. He did not neglect the effort required to provide for himself and those traveling with him (1 Cor. 4:12). He was acutely mindful of the need of the churches, which brought deep concern to him every day (2 Cor. 11:28). He did not forget to resist the devil, or perfect holiness in the fear of the Lord (2 Cor 7:1).
There was an emphasis in his life that dominated everything else. His responsibilities were addressed with this controlling desire in mind. He wanted the prize, and allowed nothing to neutralize that desire. That was his emphasis!
Faith enables us to maintain the centrality of revealed priorities, refusing to become drawn aside with the periphery of life.
In another place, our Lord affirmed that failure to focus on the light would bring a flood of darkness into our souls. "The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness" (Luke 11:34). We live in a time when there are an unusual number of distractions. We do well to exercise ourselves to keep a godly focus, making "one thing" our aim. There is, after all, only "one" main thing.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in Jesus' name, help me to be single minded, that I may glorify You and obtain the prize!