UPDATED Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by then staff of Remnant Westside Church in Manhattan, is an updated version of a blog first posted on September 1, 2013.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Beholding our God Amid Darkness”

Psalm 82:1-8

God has taken his place in the divine council; in the midst of the gods he holds judgment: 2 “How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked? Selah 3 Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute. 4 Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.” 5 They have neither knowledge nor understanding, they walk about in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are shaken. 6 I said, “You are gods, sons of the Most High, all of you; 7 nevertheless, like men you shall die, and fall like any prince.” 8 Arise, O God, judge the earth; for you shall inherit all the nations!

Upon examining this morning’s Psalm, it would be rather easy to focus on the cry of the psalmist, who is troubled by an unjust world that seemingly points to an indifferent and partial God.  Maybe some of us felt similarly amid so many losses incurred during the pandemic while God seems silent.  In verse 2, the psalmist dares asking how long the Lord will judge unjustly. It seems to him that those who are wicked, especially those who serve other “gods,” prosper and rule with impunity.  In fact, the 7^th century B.C. prophet Habakkuk put it like this: “How long, Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, “Violence!” but you do not save? Why do you make me look at injustice?  Why do you tolerate wrongdoing?” (Hab. 1:2-3b).

Yet, as we consider today’s psalm again, there is a confident hope and faith that God will act with justice.  Despite what situations and circumstances may indicate, the psalmist calls out, “Arise, O God, judge the earth.” He holds firmly to the character of God (that He is just) and lets that inform his prayer. As the Psalm is bookended by this confidence (in the midst of the gods he holds judgment… for you shall inherit all the nations), it exhorts us to call out confidently to the true Lord of justice in faith, despite what our situation and circumstances may be telling us.  That is living by faith, not by sight (2 Cor. 5:7).

This morning, God is encouraging you to remember His character; He is just, and His rule will be established in the entire world.  Like the psalmist, let us cry out for Him to arise and break the power of injustice as well as the pandemic. God hears the cry of the downtrodden.

So, what are some areas of your life or the lives of those around you who may be experiencing injustice, including losses due to no fault of their own during the pandemic? Let us arise in faith to claim and proclaim the just character of God in those areas.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, open my eyes to really see who You are so that I can live by faith, not by sight.  Though things may look bleak at times, strengthen me to fix my eyes on the author and perfecter of my faith—Jesus Christ.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Isaiah 37

---

Lunch Break Study

Read Philippians 1:18b-26: “Yes, and I will rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, 20 as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. 24 But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.”

Questions to Consider

1. Based on the above passage, what seems to be a major theme of the book of Philippians?
2. One reason Paul felt joy was because he saw how his circumstances were furthering the cause of Christ.  What is another reason for his joy?
3. How is your joy in the Lord today? Ask him for greater joy to infuse into your life as you seek and adore Him today.

Notes

1. Joy is a major theme in the book of Philippians and is very evident in the words of the apostle Paul despite his dire circumstances (i.e., imprisonment).  Remember, joy is an integral part of the Christian life.
2. Paul alludes to a second reason for his joy, namely that his circumstances will result in his deliverance (v. 19-20).
3. Personal response.

---

Evening Reflection

Psalms 69:30-33: I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving.  31 This will please the Lord more than an ox or a bull with horns and hoofs. 32 When the humble see it they will be glad; you who seek God, let your hearts revive. 33 For the Lord hears the needy and does not despise his own people who are prisoners

In order for us to cultivate a God-centered perspective and a greater ability to hear God that can powerfully affect our everyday living, adoration is the key, which is remembering and magnifying God all throughout the day.  Adoration or “Face to Face” (i.e., intimate) prayer is loving and exalting (i.e., prioritizing) the Lord before anything else and above all things, including our disappointing situations that whisper into our ears, “No, you cannot seek God under these circumstances.”  It is fixing our eyes on Christ Jesus, knowing and delighting in Him. Adoration brings us into a state of falling in love with Him and giving Him our allegiance, which only He deserves.  It is not just talking or thinking about God, but being next to Him and conversing with Him.  When we adore the LORD in this manner, that is when we are truly glorifying Him since we are saying this: God, you are the most significant entity in my life.

Tonight, begin by magnifying God instead of looking at your circumstances.