UPDATED Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by then (2013) staff of Remnant Westside Church in Manhattan, was first posted on September 13, 2013.
Devotional Thought for This Morning
“Who Are We?”
Psalm 87:4-7
Among those who know me I mention Rahab and Babylon; behold, Philistia and Tyre, with Cush—“This one was born there,” they say. 5 And of Zion it shall be said, “This one and that one were born in her”; for the Most High himself will establish her. 6 The Lord records as he registers the peoples, “This one was born there.” Selah 7 Singers and dancers alike say, “All my springs are in you.”
Who are we? God says one thing while the world says something completely opposite. So which voice do you heed?
In this Psalm, there is juxtaposition between some of the major nations surrounding the nation of Israel and the city of Zion itself. These metropolitan areas were major sources of power, wealth, and influence. Yet, the key distinguishing element that separated Zion from these other nations is that it is God Himself who established that city, intimately numbering each and every person who dwells in Zion.
This reality becomes manifested through singers and dancers who worship the Lord and proclaim that their springs are in God. They declare that their source of life, that spring of life, is in God alone.
As Christians, there is always a constant pressure to conform to the pattern of this world. The temptations and paradigms set by the major influencing powers compel us to put our identity in the things of this world. Yet, we know that God Himself is the source of that river of life that uplifts, saves, and restores.
This morning, God is calling us to examine where we find our identity. Do we let the world define our identity, or do we let God establish it? Can we, like the worshippers in verse 7, declare that all of our springs are found in God? Remember that God knows you intimately and has counted you as his own, calling you to find your identity only in Him.
Prayer: Lord, I’m amazed and so grateful to know that Your goodness follows me! Wow, Lord! You love to bless Your people. Oh God, Your beautiful, bountiful, gracious, cheerful, loving, presence follows me! Your mercy, favor, and goodness follow me through all the seasons of my life, whether in times of trouble or peace, for You are perpetually present! Thank You. Praise You. Amen.
Bible Reading for Today: Acts 10
Lunch Break Study
Read Philippians 2:8-11: “And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
Questions to Consider
- Philippians 2:7 says that the mind of Christ (v.5) led to this radical change of Christ’s relationship to the world, i.e., he was in very nature God (v.6), yet took up the form of a servant (v7). How does verse 8 amplify that reality?
- What did Jesus, in fact, do for us?
- What does Phil. 2:9-11 give us?
- Are there areas that you are tempted to exalt yourself? What areas of your life are you struggling to surrender to Christ’s lordship?
Notes
- It says that Christ assumed every aspect of being a servant up to and including dying on a cross (v.8).
- Jesus didn’t just teach us to be humble servants, He showed us; in other words, he practiced what he preached.
- Verses 9-11 give us fuel for adoration today. He is worthy of our worship and praise!
- Bring them before the Lord in prayer so that the mind of Christ will manifest as humility in your life.
Evening Reflection
Psalm 23:6: “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
“Jesus, I am transformed as I reflect upon the beauty of your presence. I acknowledge that I am fed and protected by you, my Shepherd. With great joy, I will rest in you and be refreshed for I lack nothing in you, my Lord, the One who leads me. Throughout the week, I will adore you as I move you to the center and remove the other things that try to take your place. I will adore you as I make my work, my worship, and my relationships an invitation for you. Without this knowledge of you, I’m lost; yet with this knowledge, I dwell in your glorious presence forever. Amen.”