REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, written by the then (2013) staff of Kairos Christian Church in San Diego, is an updated version of their blog first posted on July 22, 2013.
Devotional Thought for This Morning
“What Will It Take for Us to Truly Trust in God?”
Psalm 78:17-22
“But they continued to sin against him, rebelling in the desert against the Most High. 18 They willfully put God to the test by demanding the food they craved. 19 They spoke against God, saying, “Can God spread a table in the desert? 20 When he struck the rock, water gushed out, and streams flowed abundantly. But can he also give us food? Can he supply meat for his people?” 21 When the Lord heard them, he was very angry; his fire broke out against Jacob, and his wrath rose against Israel, 22 for they did not believe in God or trust in his deliverance.
Can you believe how faithless the Israelites were in this passage? After all the miraculous things that God had done for them, such as helping them cross the Red Sea, guiding them in the wilderness by fire and clouds, providing them with water from rocks, they were still plagued with unbelief. What did God have to do for them to believe? They wondered, “Can God spread a table in the desert? Can God supply meat for his people?” It’s hard to believe, after all the things that God had done for them, how the Israelites could still doubt God.
Yet at the same time, this is something that we know all too well. How often have we taken matters into our own hands instead of trusting in God? God has done so much for us but how easily we forget or we limit what He can do. When we stop trusting in God and start trusting ourselves, we become like the Israelites in this passage who were disobedient and faithless, incurring God’s wrath upon themselves.
There are natural consequences to our sins. Also, God disciplines us for our lack of faith and disobedience. But keep in mind that God disciplines those He loves, hoping that through it, we would repent, trust in Him, and bear much fruit.
Prayer: Father, I confess that many times I forget the amazing things that You have done in my life. Forgive me for trying to control my circumstances and not trusting in You. Help me to rely on You alone when hardships come. Forgive my restless and rebellious heart and help me to remember Your faithfulness. Amen.
Bible Reading for Today: Genesis 21
Lunch Break Study
Read James 4:5-6 (NIV): “Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us? 6 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: ‘God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.’”
Questions to Consider
- What does God jealously long for? (cf., Ex. 20:5)
- What does God provide to those who reject friendship with the world?
- Take an inventory of your life and allow the Holy Spirit to reveal to you what He longs to take hold of.
Notes
- God jealously longs for our spirit to stay with him and break our friendship with the world. Since He created us and also purchased us through the blood of His precious Son, He jealously longs for us.
- God provides His grace and His favor for those who humble themselves. His grace is also given to those who have been humiliated. And the grace that God provides is not only “more” but extraordinary.
- Personal response
Evening Reflection
As you begin another week, what “distractions” or “noise” could you place aside this week so that you can better hear His voice?
Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to always recognize that I belong to You and You alone. You are deserving of my worship, my life, my service, my spirit. Amen.