NEW Today’s AMI Devotional QT is provided by Christine Li. Christine, a graduate of University of Pennsylvania, serves as a deaconess at Remnant Church in Manhattan, New York.
Devotional Thought for This Morning
“God our Refuge”
Psalm 46:1-5
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, 3 though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. 4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. 5 God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts.”
As a child, I was told that in the event of a tornado, the safest place in my house was the bathroom (we didn’t have a basement). The reasoning of this was that the pipes of the toilet would be connected far underground and be a better anchor to hold onto if the house was sucked away. Thankfully, I have never had to experience this personally, but have always filed it away wherever I moved: what is the safest place to be?
As an adult surveying the news, this world seems filled with enough dangerous accidents and storms, it does often seem that this earth is on the edge of erupting in uproar. We wake up and spend our days barraged by bad news. In this time, my comfort is the truth that God is immovable and unshakeable. Though this earth and many things we hold dear may give way, God will not.
Where will you and I turn today? Where will we find our refuge and our strength if the days of bad news and events seem unbearable? I pray that you and I would not find our comfort in distraction or numbness but rather in our unchanging and faithful God.
Prayer: Father, I confess that I remember You are my refuge and strength in times of greatest need and chaos. Thank You for Your steadfast love and Your presence that cares for each one of us.
Bible Reading for Today: 1 Chronicles 10
Lunch Break Study
Read Job 37:5-13 “God thunders wondrously with his voice; he does great things that we cannot comprehend. 6 For to the snow he says, ‘Fall on the earth,’ likewise to the downpour, his mighty downpour. 7 He seals up the hand of every man, that all men whom he made may know it.8 Then the beasts go into their lairs, and remain in their dens.9 From its chamber comes the whirlwind, and cold from the scattering winds.10 By the breath of God ice is given, and the broad waters are frozen fast. 11 He loads the thick cloud with moisture; the clouds scatter his lightning.12 They turn around and around by his guidance, to accomplish all that he commands them on the face of the habitable world. 13 Whether for correction or for his land or for love, he causes it to happen.”
Questions to Consider
- The context for this chapter is that Elihu speaks to Job and his friends about God. What happenings on earth are attributable to God?
- From Elihu’s words, what attributes of God can we understand?
- Let’s take time to consider the numerous works and actions of God that have surrounded you today (from the world you woke up to or circumstances in life). Spend time praising Him for His hand in all things and remembering how active He is in our world.
Notes
- This passage says that many natural phenomena are attributed to God. He dictates snow, rain, lightning. He also dictates our success / progress in work and even affects where animals dwell.
- Much of this passage revolves around God’s vast power and majesty. The reminder that God commands the precipitation and lightning as well as the fact that it is from His hand whether we progress in our work reminds us that He is almighty God. But God does not wield that power aimlessly. He is intentional, desiring to accomplish correction and to show love to His creation in all things.
- Personal reflection
Evening Reflection
How was your day today? Did you notice the option to turn towards God or to turn to yourself more? Let’s ask Him to cultivate a greater dependence on Him and ask Him to show us tomorrow how we will find exactly what we need when we approach Him first.