REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor David Kwon who heads Journey Community Church in Raleigh, North Carolina, was first posted on November 22, 2013. He is a graduate of Drexel University (BS) and Columbia International University (M.Div.).
Devotional Thought for This Morning
“Remembering the Great Works of God in Our Lives”
Psalm 111:1-10
Praise the LORD! I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation. [2] Great are the works of the LORD, studied by all who delight in them. [3] Full of splendor and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures forever. [4] He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered; the LORD is gracious and merciful. [5] He provides food for those who fear him; he remembers his covenant forever. [6] He has shown his people the power of his works, in giving them the inheritance of the nations. [7] The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy; [8] they are established forever and ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness. [9] He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant forever. Holy and awesome is his name! [10] The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!
Do you remember the last time something completely captivated you? Maybe it was the beauty of a painting or the sound of an orchestra, but whatever it was, everyone has experienced the excitement of something amazing in their life.
Here in Psalm 111, as the psalmist is reflecting back and remembering the greatness of the Lord, he is amazed at all that God has done (Psalm 111:2). The psalmist is “praising the Lord” because:
- V.3 – He is full of splendor and majesty; His righteousness endures forever;
- V.4 – He is gracious and merciful;
- V.5 – He remembers his covenants;
- V.7 – He is faithful, just, and trustworthy.
This is an acrostic psalm, where each line of poetry follows the letters of the Hebrew alphabet from beginning to end. And this form is quite appropriate since the theme of the psalm is remembering the great works of God, and His faithfulness to His people throughout history.
Given all that God’s people have been through and will continue to endure, it’s important that we remember that God keeps His covenant, and He will continue to look out for those who love Him.
Spend some time this morning reflecting on the “great works of the Lord.” As the writer of the Psalm did, thank him for his faithfulness, mercy, his righteousness, and love that endures forever.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for Your great works done in my life. I am so grateful that You continue to do amazing things for me in spite of me. Praise the Lord! Amen.
Bible Reading for Today: Song of Songs 5
Lunch Break Study
Read Matthew 7:7-11: “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. [8] For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. [9] Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? [10] Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? [11] If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!
Questions to Consider
- According to this passage, what should we expect when we “ask” Jesus in our prayers?
- What is the model for prayer taught by Jesus?
- How does Jesus compare our earthly fathers to the heavenly Father?
Notes
- Prayer is one of the ways we can experience the “great works of Jesus” in our lives. It is amazing to think that our heavenly Father listens and answers our prayers.
- The model for prayer that Jesus gives to His people reveals the incredible truth: that His disciples are privileged to call God Father. No matter how minor our worries and needs may seem, they are never trifling matters to Him; he is genuinely concerned about us and wants us to present them to Him.
- Jesus compares earthly fathers to our heavenly Father to demonstrate God’s love and trustworthiness. In the midst of affirming that we give our children good things when they ask, Jesus points out what should be obvious—that we are evil. Yet the emphasis is not on how sinful we are but on the goodness of God, which should move us to pray. If we, who possess no inherent goodness, give only good things to our sons and daughters, how could we believe that God the Father, who is the supreme standard of goodness, do less? Take time to meditate and pray to our God who knows our needs and desires to give to us!
Evening Reflection
We have been meditating on the goodness of our God throughout this day. Remember the “great works” he has done in your own life and give thanks to Him. It could be answered prayers, God’s provision, a significant event like marriage or a birth of a child, people you know coming to know the Lord, etc. There are many works that we can praise Him for. Thank Jesus for all that he has done.