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 18, 2013. He is a graduate of Drexel University (BS) and Columbia International University (M.Div.).
Devotional Thought for This Morning
“Thanking God”
Psalm 107:1-43
[1] Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!
[2] Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he has redeemed from trouble
[3] and gathered in from the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south.
[4] Some wandered in desert wastes, finding no way to a city to dwell in;
[5] hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted within them.
[6] Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.
[7] He led them by a straight way till they reached a city to dwell in.
[8] Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man!
[9] For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things.
[10] Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, prisoners in affliction and in irons,
[11] for they had rebelled against the words of God, and spurned the counsel of the Most High.
[12] So he bowed their hearts down with hard labor; they fell down, with none to help.
[13] Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.
[14] He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and burst their bonds apart.
[15] Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man!
[16] For he shatters the doors of bronze and cuts in two the bars of iron.
[17] Some were fools through their sinful ways, and because of their iniquities suffered affliction;
[18] they loathed any kind of food, and they drew near to the gates of death.
[19] Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.
[20] He sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction.
[21] Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man!
[22] And let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, and tell of his deeds in songs of joy!
[23] Some went down to the sea in ships, doing business on the great waters;
[24] they saw the deeds of the LORD, his wondrous works in the deep.
[25] For he commanded and raised the stormy wind, which lifted up the waves of the sea.
[26] They mounted up to heaven; they went down to the depths; their courage melted away in their evil plight;
[27] they reeled and staggered like drunken men and were at their wits’ end.
[28] Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.
[29] He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed.
[30] Then they were glad that the waters were quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven.
[31] Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man!
[32] Let them extol him in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders.
[33] He turns rivers into a desert, springs of water into thirsty ground,
[34] a fruitful land into a salty waste, because of the evil of its inhabitants.
[35] He turns a desert into pools of water, a parched land into springs of water.
[36] And there he lets the hungry dwell, and they establish a city to live in;
[37] they sow fields and plant vineyards and get a fruitful yield.
[38] By his blessing they multiply greatly, and he does not let their livestock diminish.
[39] When they are diminished and brought low through oppression, evil, and sorrow,
[40] he pours contempt on princes and makes them wander in trackless wastes;
[41] but he raises up the needy out of affliction and makes their families like flocks.
[42] The upright see it and are glad, and all wickedness shuts its mouth.
[43] Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things; let them consider the steadfast love of the LORD.
One major theme that continually comes up in the Psalms, including the one just read, is thanksgiving. The psalmist speaks of the steadfast love of God, which in Hebrew means “an eager and ardent desire,” referring to the fact that God’s love never gives up. Even when God’s people were extremely rebellious, God’s love never ceased for them. In his love, God delivers his people from the many dangers, toils, and snares in this life (v. 4-32).
This particular Psalm is a praise song of the re-gathered people of Israel after their Babylonian bondage. Psalm 105, 106, and 107 are a trilogy: Psalm 105 recounts Israel’s experience from the time of God’s covenant with Abraham to the people’s entrance into the Promised Land; Psalm 106 tracks their unfaithfulness during that same time period and reflects the years of exile to Babylon; and Psalm 107 thanks God for their deliverance from exile.
When was the last time you thanked Jesus for his steadfast and unrelenting love? In our busy and chaotic lives, it’s so easy to forget all that the Lord has done for us; so as you meditate on this Psalm, spend time thanking God for your salvation and his great love for you. May our prayers echo what is said in verse 31: “Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man!”
Prayer: Dear God, help me to be thankful always, for Your steadfast and unrelenting love. Amen.
Bible Reading for Today: Jeremiah 3
Lunch Break Study
Read Philippians 4:4-13: Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. [5] Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; [6] do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. [7] And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. [8] Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. [9] What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.[10] I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. [11] Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. [12] I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. [13] I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Questions to Consider
- Why does Paul command believers to “rejoice in the Lord always”? How are we able to do that?
- How do you think Paul learned to be content in any circumstance?
- Does this describe your life?
Notes
- One of the challenges we face as believers is to be content– not only when things are going our way or when life is easy – but in all circumstances. Paul is exhorting his readers that Christians should live with joy, peace, contentment, and thanksgiving. It should be a daily way of living, not based on our circumstances, but because of who Jesus is.
- Paul learned that in every situation God provides the strength to overcome it.
- Are you living the Christian life that Paul describes in these verses? If not, ask God to give you a heart of joy, peace, and contentment. Ask him to remove the barriers that might hinder you from living this kind of life in Christ.
Evening Reflection
As we have been thinking about having a thankful heart, if we are honest, difficult circumstances in life makes it hard to always be thankful. I love how one author writes on the topic of gratitude:
Being thankful is not telling God you appreciate the fact that your life is not in shambles. If that is the basis of your gratitude, you are on slippery ground. Every day of your life you face the possibility that a blessing in your life may be taken away. But blessings are only signs of God’s love. The real blessing, of course, is the love itself. Whenever we get too attached to the sign, we lose our grasp on the God who gave it to us. Churches are filled with widows who can explain this to you. We are not ultimately grateful that we are still holding our blessings. We are grateful that we are held by God even when the blessings are slipping through our fingers.
– Craig Barnes
Spend some time thanking the Lord for his goodness and steadfast love.