A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW 

MISDIRECTION  

Matthew 24:22-25 “If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened. At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘There He is!’ do not believe it. For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you ahead of time.” 

In football there is what is known as a misdirection play. This occurs when most all of the offensive players move either to their left or right while the quarterback fakes a handoff or pass attempt to that same direction, then pulls the ball back in and moves in the opposite direction. For two or three seconds, if the defensive players fall for the misdirection, the quarterback is free either to run or pass with little chance of the defense being able to defend what he is doing.   

Satan is also a master at misdirection. He is constantly attempting to direct you somewhere he knows is sinful, harmful, and will lead eventually to your eternal damnation. He makes the direction to which he is trying to lead you appear to be good, healthy, and beneficial. That is why the Holy Spirit through the pen of St. Peter inspired these words: “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8)   

A seasoned football defender is not “faked out” by the misdirection play. He knows that his job is to actually be alert for it and keys in on watching the ball, knowing the player with the ball must go wherever the ball goes. If he follows the ball he will not be “faked out.” He will be in position to stop the run or the pass.  Regarding spiritual alertness, St. Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 5:6-8, “. . . let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.”  

Prayer: O Lord, through the power of Your Word help me to recognize the misdirection of Satan, the world, and my sinful flesh and know instead the way You want me to go. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Guide me, O Thou great Redeemer, Pilgrim through this barren land.  
I am weak, but Thou art mighty; Hold me with Thy pow’rful hand.  
Bread of heaven, bread of heaven,   
Feed till I want no more; Feed me till I want no more. 

Open now the crystal fountain Whence the healing stream doth flow  
Let the fiery, cloudy pillar Lead me all my journey through.  
Strong dliv’rer, strong deliv’rer  
Be Thou still my strength and shield; Be Thou still my strength and shield. 

When I tread the verge of Jordon, Bid my anxious fears subside;  
Death of death and hell’s destruction, Land me safe on Canaan’s side  
Songs of praises, songs of praises  
I will ever give to Thee; I will ever give to Thee.  

Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer // LSB 918