REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, prepared by Pastor Jason Sato who is currently serving in Japan as a missionary, is an updated version of his blog first posted on December 16, 2013. Jason is a graduate of University of California, San Diego (BS) and Westminster Theological Seminary (M.Div.).
Devotional Thought for This Morning
“A Sudden Realization That Mutes Our Egoism”
Psalm 130:1-5
Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord! 2 O Lord, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my pleas for mercy! 3 If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? 4 But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared. 5 I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope;
Have you ever pleaded desperately with the Lord? That’s what the Psalmist does here. His prayer, therefore, is neither muted nor indifferent, for, he prays out of the depths of his heart.
In the midst of this prayer, the Psalmist is startled by something he suddenly realizes: None could stand before a Holy God if He counted iniquities. In light of that, his trust and hope in the Lord cannot have anything to do with his own righteousness or past achievements. The Psalmist knows that his past earns him nothing but further affliction and condemnation.
This is all the more reason he does not come with demands, as one entitled to the favor of God. Instead, the Psalmist pleads for mercy, with great hope and expectation, because he has come to know God of steadfast love, a love that is big and wide enough to redeem sinners.
In Christ, God did just that when He forgave our sins with the life of His beloved Son. Our problems may not disappear any time soon but the reality of God’s love ought to gives us a perspective in the midst of them so that we are not given to despair and joylessness. Yes, He is a God worth waiting for.
Pray that as you face challenges today the Lord would remind You that He is faithful to hear and save. Pray that the Holy Spirit would be Your Comforter and Encourager throughout the day.
Prayer: Father, there is none like You. You are high and exalted, yet You condescend to know and care for me. Lord, I owe You everything and You owe me nothing. Not for my own sake, but in light of Your mercy, please deliver me from my sin and my affliction. Hear my cries for help. Grant me grace to continually wait on You. For Christ’s sake. Amen.
Bible Reading for Today: 1 Chronicles 25
Lunch Break Study
Read Romans 8:18-23: For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.
Questions to Consider
- What is meant by the word temporary here?
- What is to be revealed?
- What do our spirits truly groan for?
Notes
- Our present suffering and the bondage and corruption of creation. In other words, all the afflictions and trials are a drop in the bucket in comparison to the eternity that awaits us.
- Obviously, we are waiting for the second coming of Christ and the glorified saints [a.k.a., the sons of God (v. 19); the glory of the children of God (v. 21)] who will reign with him in a “new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness” (2 Pet. 3:13b).
- Adoption and the redemption of our bodies, that is, transformation of our body into “imperishable” body (1 Cor. 15:53).
Evening Reflection
Affliction is easy to discuss, but not so easy to experience. Often we distract ourselves from ongoing struggles with busyness and fun. Take a moment to be honest with the Lord about the real challenges, doubts, and trials that you are facing. Allow the Holy Spirit to minister to you and remind you of the Lord’s care for you.