REPOST Today’s AMI Devotional Thought—first posted on December 22, 2013—is provided by Pastor Yohan Lee, a friend of AMI, who in the past has served as a staff at several AMI churches. He is a graduate of University of Pennsylvania (BA) and Cairn University (MA).
Devotional Thought for This Morning
“A Husband’s Tone-Deaf Response that Led to Gaining Insight on God’s Knowledge of Us”
Psalm 139:1-6
You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. 2 You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. 3 You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. 4 Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely. 5 You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.
When it comes to gift giving, I am pretty bad. Earlier on in our marriage, having been told by my wife, a nurse, how her feet got tired and soar at night, I got her a foot soaker and massage tubs, for Christmas no less. Upon opening it, her effort to hide the disappointment was matched only by her wondering whether she’d really have to endure a lifetime of “stupid” gifts like these.
What was the problem with the foot soaker? Fundamentally, while I demonstrated some knowledge of my wife, the gift showed that I did not really know her. Sure, the foot bath was practical and probably would have been awesome had she ever taken it out of the box, but what my wife really wanted was something pretty or exciting that tickled her heart, not something practical that you have to plug in. I did not know this at the time.
In Psalm 139, we get a picture of just how deeply the Lord knows us. Not only does He know our names, family members, favorite foods, hobbies, etc., He also knows our inmost thoughts, hopes, dreams, fears, and passions, even before we realize them ourselves. Matthew 10:30 says that, “even the very hairs on your head are all numbered,” meaning that not only does the Lord know how many hairs you have, He cares for you to the level that He knows which one was first and which one was 1,673rd. Hopefully, this level of detailed care blesses you.
So, do you truly believe that the Lord knows you better than you know yourself? Do you live in the freedom of being truly known (which can be a scary proposition), yet truly loved? Doesn’t it seem silly that we still hesitate to trust God at times, considering how much He knows and cares for us? How else does the Lord’s knowledge and care for you impact your life?
Prayer: Dear Lord, I don’t know what to say, but You know me so well. You continue to love me. So I thank You. It is an absolute privilege that You honor me like that. You are the King who rules over my soul. Amen.
Bible Reading for Today: 2 Corinthians 13
Lunch Break Study
Read Matt. 14:22-31: Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, 24 and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. 25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. 27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” 28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” 29 “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” 32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
Questions to Consider
- What did Peter do well here? What caused him to falter?
- Do you think that Jesus knew Peter was going to sink? Why did he then call him out to the water?
- Imagine yourself in a boat in the middle of this very lake experiencing the same level of fear and anxiety the disciples encountered at the wee hours of the night. What is it that Jesus is calling you out of, in faith, so that you can be near to the Lord?
Notes
- Peter did demonstrate, however brief, great faith. Upon hearing the Lord’s call, he immediately stepped out on the water and even took a few steps, thus making him the only person other than Christ to have walked on water. Of course, his downfall is that he looked around at the circumstances and took his eyes off of Christ.
- Of course, Christ knew that Peter would eventually sink since he knew him. But the exercise gave Peter insight into what is possible and how much his faith needed to grow. Sometimes, we learn just as much in failure as we do in success. In the end, Christ was there to rescue Peter. He is trustworthy, despite our imperfect faith. We do not need to have perfect faith to walk on water.
- Personal response.
Evening Reflection
If you haven’t done so, consider how God’s knowledge and love for you should fuel your faith to trust him? Is there something that you have been wrestling with, perhaps something you feel God wants you to do? Can you trust God? Do you struggle with fear of rejection or feelings of inadequacy? Do you believe you are “fearfully and wonderfully made”?