REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional was first posted on July 3, 2014.
Devotional Thought for This Morning
“I Don’t Really Believe Anything”
Jonah 1:7-9
And they said to one another, “Come, let us cast lots, that we may know on whose account this evil has come upon us.” So they cast lots, and the lot fell on Jonah. 8 Then they said to him, “Tell us on whose account this evil has come upon us. What is your occupation? And where do you come from? What is your country? And of what people are you?” 9 And he said to them, “I am a Hebrew, and I fear the Lord, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land.”
One of my greatest regrets occurred as a freshman in high school. It was one of those days when we had no work, so my classmates and I were just talking, and the topic of conversation turned to religion. One by one people began to share what they believed. Since we grew up in a mostly Hispanic neighborhood, the answers were similar: “Catholic, but I don’t really believe.” As it grew closer to my turn, I felt all my years of attending church fade away, and I heard the words, “I don’t really believe anything,” flow out of my mouth.
He is the LORD!
He is the LORD!
This is the point where Jonah, confronted with the questioning eyes of the sailors and the reality of God, relents from denying God and running away.
When we’re confronted with questions about our faith, especially if things seem stormy around us, how will we respond? Will we deny God as I did, or will we stand firm and declare our faith in the God who reigns?
Like Jonah, we need to realize how relentless God is in pursuing us. We need to see how real He is. It is then that we can find the ability to declare our faith in the God of heaven to those around us.
Prayer: God, help me to see how real You are. Give me the power to stand firm in my faith. Strengthen me to declare how glorious You are with every opportunity that comes my way. Amen.
Bible Reading for Today: Revelation 20
Lunch Break Study
Re-read the passage for this morning’s devotion. Read also 1 John 4:14-15:
“And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. 15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.”
Questions to Consider
- Why did the sailors cast lots at this time?
- What was significant about Jonah’s answer to the sailors?
- In light of the 1 John 4:14-15 passage, what is our testimony to those who ask?
Notes
- Casting lots was the practice of divination similar to the rolling of the dice or using a magic 8 ball. At this time, the sailors didn’t know who to blame for the storm, so they cast lots to determine guilt.
- Jonah’s answer went to the heart of the matter. He revealed that it was YAHWEH who was responsible for the storm, and that God had dominion over the heavens, the earth, and the seas.
- Our testimony is the pursuit of God for us in the sending of Jesus because of His love.
Evening Reflection
Have there been moments where you had the opportunity to share your faith and didn’t? Was it fear or doubt that hindered you? Tonight, let’s ask that the reality of God’s pursuit over us will strengthen us in boldness to share our faith.