REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Jabez Yeo who formerly served at Remnant Church in Manhattan, was first posted on August 11, 2014. Jabez is a graduate of University of Pennsylvania (BS) and Columbia International University (M.A., Muslim Studies).
Devotional Thought for This Morning
“Who Are We Trying to Please?”
Hebrews 11:1, 6
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen…and without faith it is impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him.”
During my internship on Wall Street, I remember quite vividly that my only goal at work was to do whatever it took to please my boss. As he would be the one deciding whether I would be employed or not, I would do all that I could to ensure that I not only met, but exceeded, his expectations. While my experience is indicative of our performance-oriented culture, it is truly comforting to know that our Heavenly Father does not operate under the same guidelines. For if He did, we would all miss His standard: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
Rather, it is faith that is required to please God; specifically, a faith that believes in a) God’s existence, and b) His reward for those who earnestly seek Him. Assuming that most of us reading this devotional are believers, we will most likely not struggle with believing that God exists. However, how many of us sincerely believe that God will reward those who earnestly seek Him? We may think that we do, but many of us take matters into our own hands instead of seeking God and ascribing to His ways.
Take a clear example: God’s gift of sexual intimacy. When we do not have faith that God will reward us for seeking Him in this area, we may misuse this gift in several ways, such as using it a) at the wrong time (e.g. premarital sex) b) in ways that God did not design (e.g. pornography, homosexuality, adultery, etc.) c) in unhealthy quantities (e.g. scarcity or overindulgence).
A lack of faith in God’s willingness to reward can occur for several reasons. One reason could be an unhealthy image of God that portrays Him as a Father who is unwilling to bless His children. Another reason could be an over-dependence on our own abilities to reward ourselves; forgetting that it was God who gave us those abilities in the first place. Whatever our issue may be, let’s ask that God would help us develop a faith that is truly pleasing to Him.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, I am sorry for placing matters into my own hands instead of trusting You. I believe that You are there but for some reason, I do not believe that You will give me what I need as I follow You. Help me discern the reason for my lack of faith and correct my thoughts according to Your truth. Help me to truly surrender to You and ascribe to Your ways no matter the circumstance. In Your Name I pray, Amen.
Bible Reading for Today: 1 Corinthians 16
Lunch Break Study
Read Philippians 1:6: “And I am sure of this, that He {God} who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”
Questions to Consider
- What is the good work that God began in us?
- What are the implications of the fact that God is bringing our faith to completion?
- Are you allowing God to bring your faith to completion? Take some time to assess whether this is the case or not.
Notes
- God, not ourselves or our human reasoning, was the one who brought us to a saving knowledge of who He is. As Christ said; “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent” (John 6:29).
- This statement implies that our faith is not complete but still lacking in some way. As described above, our tendency to ascribe to our own ways and thinking instead of God’s ways is one way that our faith could be lacking
- Personal response.
Evening Reflection
In light of today’s discussion of faith, how did you place your trust in God? Were you able to grow your faith and surrender your wants and desires to Him in your daily circumstances? Let’s continue to go to Him and as our Lord Jesus commanded, to pray for our “daily bread,” among other things.