REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Matt Ro who formerly pastored Journey Church in Atlanta, was originally posted on May 13, 2013. Matt is a graduate of University of Pennsylvania (BS) and Biblical Theological Seminary (M.Div.).
Devotional Thought for This Morning
“Past, Present and Future in Him”
Psalm 63:2-8 (ESV)
So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. 3 Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. 4 So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands. 5 My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips, 6 when I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night; 7 for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy. 8 My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.
These verses represent how God continues to satisfy David: past, present, and future.
Past: In v. 2 it says, “So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory.” V. 7: “You have been my help.” By David remembering the past work of God in his life, he is able to be joyful in the present circumstance.
Present: In v. 3, David says “Because your steadfast love IS better than life, my lips will praise you.” V. 6: “When I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night.” V. 8: “Your right hand upholds me.” Referring to these verses, Charles Spurgeon commented, “There was no desert in David’s heart, though there was a desert around him.”
Future: V. 5: “My soul will be satisfied, my mouth will praise you with joyful lips.” Because God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow, we can trust God to be able to satisfy us in the same way David experienced.
David is satisfied with, in, and by God. That is what this section of Psalm 63 teaches us. Once satisfied by God, we can begin to face our circumstances as well as to serve God. It is also why David speaks of God’s love as being “better than life.”
In view of Romans 8:38-39, that “nothing can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord,” we who are satisfied in God, can praise God. Praise is the end result of being satisfied or content in God. It is His loving-kindness (hesed) that makes David want to stay close to God. If you are not experiencing the true satisfaction in God, perhaps it’s because you are not seeking him enough to be satisfied only by him.
Something to think about as we start another day.
Prayer: Father, thank You for your steadfast love in my life. You have been there in the past, are here in the present, and will be with me in the future. Nothing can separate me from Your great love. Help me to make time to seek after You. I want to begin this day in prayer and study so that I can be satisfied in You. Amen.
Bible Reading for Today: 1 Corinthians 13
Lunch Break Study
Read Ephesians 5:3-6 (ESV): But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. 4 Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. 5 For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.
Questions to Consider
- Sexual immorality, arguably, was much more rampant in practice among the pagans of Ephesus than it is in America today. Think about how counter-cultural Paul’s command must’ve been to its listeners. What can we learn from Paul’s charge to not even have a hint of sexual immorality, impurity, foolish talk, or greed among us?
- In the area of sex, what are some differences we see between the Christian ethic and that of the world?
- Lies derive their strength from partial truth. When lies are heard often enough they become truth for many. What powerful lies are influencing us right now?
Notes
- God’s desire is that we would enter into the abundant life of Jesus (John 10:10). We are constantly exposed to things that are improper for believers. But the way that we live counter-culturally can be a breath of fresh air when we talk about wholesome matters and refrain from impure practices.
- Popular culture views sex as a free-for-all; Christians place moral limitations on sexual expression. “4 But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. 4 Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. Also, popular culture refuses to evaluate freely and authentically chosen sexual behaviors; Christians point out the spiritual consequences of violating God’s design plan. 5 For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. In our sex-obsessed culture, where just about anything and everything goes, we need to remember that God has a far better plan than what you see on TV or in the movies. We are being told today that all sex is beautiful and natural, that it is in the same class as any of our bodily desires or urges, and therefore, we should feel free to satisfy it as openly as we do any other of our bodily needs, without shame or apology. Like these other natural urges, sex requires regulation and restraint. And the intended regulation of sex is marriage! Marriage is the way to regulate sex so that it is right and wholesome and beneficial.
- Personal response
Evening Reflection
Would you pray this prayer with me?
Father, I pray that I may not even have a hint of these improper practices and improper thoughts. I want to walk according Your word, not the words of culture. Help me to see and trust that Your will is good and that I would not be deceived in any ways. Amen.