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 6, 2013. He is a graduate of Drexel University (BS) and Columbia International University (M.Div.).
Devotional Thought for This Morning
“Remembering the Faithfulness of God”
Psalm 105:2-39, 42-45
[2] Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works! [3] Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice! [4] Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually! [5] Remember the wondrous works that he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he uttered, [6] O offspring of Abraham, his servant, children of Jacob, his chosen ones! [7] He is the LORD our God; his judgments are in all the earth. [8] He remembers his covenant forever, the word that he commanded, for a thousand generations, [9] the covenant that he made with Abraham, his sworn promise to Isaac, [10] which he confirmed to Jacob as a statute, to Israel as an everlasting covenant, [11] saying, “To you I will give the land of Canaan as your portion for an inheritance.” [12] When they were few in number, of little account, and sojourners in it, [13] wandering from nation to nation, from one kingdom to another people, [14] he allowed no one to oppress them; he rebuked kings on their account, [15] saying, “Touch not my anointed ones, do my prophets no harm!” [16] When he summoned a famine on the land and broke all supply of bread, [17] he had sent a man ahead of them, Joseph, who was sold as a slave. [18] His feet were hurt with fetters; his neck was put in a collar of iron; [19] until what he had said came to pass, the word of the LORD tested him. [20] The king sent and released him; the ruler of the peoples set him free; [21] he made him lord of his house and ruler of all his possessions, [22] to bind his princes at his pleasure and to teach his elders wisdom. [23] Then Israel came to Egypt; Jacob sojourned in the land of Ham. [24] And the LORD made his people very fruitful and made them stronger than their foes. [25] He turned their hearts to hate his people, to deal craftily with his servants. [26] He sent Moses, his servant, and Aaron, whom he had chosen. [27] They performed his signs among them and miracles in the land of Ham. [28] He sent darkness, and made the land dark; they did not rebel against his words. [29] He turned their waters into blood and caused their fish to die. [30] Their land swarmed with frogs, even in the chambers of their kings. [31] He spoke, and there came swarms of flies, and gnats throughout their country. [32] He gave them hail for rain, and fiery lightning bolts through their land. [33] He struck down their vines and fig trees, and shattered the trees of their country. [34] He spoke, and the locusts came, young locusts without number, [35] which devoured all the vegetation in their land and ate up the fruit of their ground. [36] He struck down all the firstborn in their land, the firstfruits of all their strength. [37] Then he brought out Israel with silver and gold, and there was none among his tribes who stumbled. [38] Egypt was glad when they departed, for dread of them had fallen upon it. [39] He spread a cloud for a covering, and fire to give light by night . . . [42] For he remembered his holy promise, and Abraham, his servant. [43] So he brought his people out with joy, his chosen ones with singing. [44] And he gave them the lands of the nations, and they took possession of the fruit of the peoples’ toil, [45] that they might keep his statutes and observe his laws. Praise the LORD!
When I was a child, I remember my father promising me that he would get me a bike if I got good enough grades in school that semester. As I worked hard and kept my grades up, my father was faithful to his word and kept his promise. I was the owner of a brand new bike and it was a promise and memory that I did not forget even to this day!
Psalm 105 is about remembering the faithfulness of God to His people. From Abraham (v.1-6) to Joseph (v.16-25) to Moses (v. 26-41) it is evident that the Lord is the great promise keeper and is worthy to be praised. The word ‘covenant’ is used three times in this passage (vv. 8, 9, 10) emphasizing that our God is the one who initiates and carries through his covenants. Derek Kidner writes, “Like a jewel turned this way and that, the worship of God displays some of its many facets here, with its concern to proclaim him to the world; to delight in what he has said and done and what he is; and to show gratitude for past mercies.” Jesus is the one who deserves all glory and worship for what he has done in each of our lives.
Spend some time this morning reflecting on the faithfulness of God in your life. He has been so good to you (even when you cannot see it right away). His hand has always been on your life through the joys and hardships. He is a faithful God.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, amid a turbulent world, it is comforting to know that You never change, that Your faithfulness and trustworthiness remain the same. Thank You. Amen.
Bible Reading for Today: Jeremiah 1
Lunch Break Study
Read Hebrews 13:8: Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Questions to Consider
- What does it mean to you that God never changes?
- How should it change the way we live?
- What should be the goal of our desire to change?
Notes
- As we have been meditating on the faithfulness of God, take some time to remember that our God never changes. It means that his love, mercy, grace, forgiveness never changes despite what we do. His goodness for you is constant. It means that his character never changes as well. Pray that as we remember who Jesus is, it would give you greater confidence in the Lord because who He is and what He has done.
- At the end of the year, people often reflect on what has happened and what they want to change. You may remember successes and failures, joy and happiness, failed expectations and surprising accomplishments, sickness, health, and a host of other memories. Some things have prompted us to make changes. Other things have forced us to.
- We are constantly changing and change can often be good. Most of us want to change and grow spiritually. We want to become more like Jesus. We want to forsake our sins, to honor the Lord God, to be more loving and forgiving, and to let the world know what Jesus has done for us.
Evening Reflection
The beautiful thing about this adventure called faith is that we can count on Him never to lead us astray.
– Charles (Chuck) Swindoll
As we finish the day with our evening reflection, think about the quote above by Charles Swindoll. It summarizes what we have been reflecting on all day that our God will never lead us astray like His people throughout history because he is faithful. It means that we can trust him with our life, time, money, career, future, family, etc. Are you trusting God in all the areas of your life?