Editor’s Note:  The AMI QT devotionals for today are provided by Pastor Yohan Lee of Radiance Christian Church.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Read 1 Kings 1:5-10

 

5 Now Adonijah, whose mother was Haggith, put himself forward and said, “I will be king.” So he got chariots and horses ready, with fifty men to run ahead of him. 6 (His father had never rebuked him by asking, “Why do you behave as you do?” He was also very handsome and was born next after Absalom.) 7 Adonijah conferred with Joab son of Zeruiah and with Abiathar the priest, and they gave him their support. 8 But Zadok the priest, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei and Rei and David’s special guard did not join Adonijah. 9 Adonijah then sacrificed sheep, cattle and fattened calves at the Stone of Zoheleth near En Rogel. He invited all his brothers, the king’s sons, and all the royal officials of Judah,10 but he did not invite Nathan the prophet or Benaiah or the special guard or his brother Solomon.

My friend Young (not Pastor Young) has the best “most embarrassing” story.  It was near the end of his senior year in high school, and his school was having their senior awards ceremony.  The award for most accomplished student was being presented, and Young was absolutely sure he was going to get it.  The principal started describing the accomplishments of the actual winner by saying, “We are so proud of the work and dedication of this young woman…”  However, my friend who again was so sure he was the winner of this award only heard “young” (his name) and proceeded to walk onto the stage.  Could you imagine how silly he felt upon walking up to the stage to receive his award only to realize that it was for another student?  I love this story, but I get embarrassed for him when he tells it.

Adonijah, like my friend Young, made the mistake of presuming too much in life.  But in all fairness, who wouldn’t make the same mistake?  He was probably the oldest remaining son of David (Amnon was dead; Absalom was dead, and we know nothing about this mystery son Daniel, only mentioned in 1 Chron. 3), and who would expect the son of Bathsheba (remember how they got together) to be the heir to the throne?  Plus, Adonijah had the backing of the commander of David’s army, Joab, and the highly revered priest, Abiathar.  I would have assumed that the throne was mine, too.

I have met many people who have been passed over for a promotion or a position that they presumed (rightly or wrongly) was theirs.  I have dealt with the heartbreak of couples who presumed that having children would be an easy process.  And I tried to comfort many who have presumed their dreams in life were also God’s plans for them.  The problem with presumption is that it doesn’t take into account the sovereignty of God; in other words, we presume to know the Lord’s will, when we are often blinded by our own desires or biases.

In Luke 14, Jesus gives us another reason why we should not presume.  He tells us to take the lowest seat at the banquet, and maybe the master of the banquet will elevate you.  You don’t want to make the mistake of my friend who essentially took the best seat at the awards ceremony, only to be shown a lesser place.  Avoid that embarrassment.

Prayer

Lord grant me the humility to accept that your plans for me may not align with what I presume or want them to be.  If that is the case, grant me faith to remember that you are a good Father who knows best for me.

Bible Reading for Today: Ezekiel 43