REPOSTToday’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor David Kwon who heads Journey Community Church in Raleigh, North Carolina, was first posted on November 30, 2013. He is a graduate of Drexel University (BS) and Columbia International University (M.Div.).
Devotional Thought for This Morning
“How Do You Find Happiness?”
Psalm 119:1-16
Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the LORD! [2] Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart, [3] who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways! [4] You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently. [5] Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes! [6] Then I shall not be put to shame, having my eyes fixed on all your commandments. [7] I will praise you with an upright heart, when I learn your righteous rules. [8] I will keep your statutes; do not utterly forsake me! [9] How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. [10] With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! [11] I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. [12] Blessed are you, O LORD; teach me your statutes! [13] With my lips I declare all the rules of your mouth. [14] In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches. [15] I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. [16] I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.
How do we find happiness in our lives? This Psalm (the longest one), having begun with the theme of how to obtain “blessing” or “happiness” in God, places the emphasis on the importance of God’s word in ascertaining the true blessedness.
To be happy is a universal goal, but apart from being instructed by God, humanity does not know how to achieve happiness. This Psalm teaches us that the path to “blessedness” is to conform our will and desire to God’s law. We are to delight in His statutes (v.16) not only because of our love for Him, but more importantly, His great love for us. We are to “store up His word in our hearts,” which purifies and keeps us from sinning; this is the power of God’s word that is sharper than any double-edge sword (Heb. 4:12), when it is deposited into our hearts and minds.
Do you yearn for God’s word? Does it affect the way you live your life so that those around you can see the joy of the Lord in you (Heb. 12:14)? Pray that you would find true happiness by obeying Christ through the Scripture. Also, make a commitment to spend more time in His word.
Prayer: Dear God, help me to yearn for Your eternal word. Give me insights into Your word while I read the Bible so that it will enrich my soul. In fact, Lord, give me a good kick in the butt so that I put into practice all that You are teaching me. Amen.
Bible Reading for Today: Revelation 10
Lunch Break Study
Read 2 Timothy 3:16-17: All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, [17] that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
Questions to Consider
- What do you think is the primary ingredient to becoming mature in Christ?
- In view of the above Scripture, what else is needed to mature in Christ?
- Meditate on 2 Timothy 3:16-17 and ask God that His word would continue to teach, rebuke and train you for His good work.
Notes
- Maturing in Christ is actually not a complicated process. While it may not require an extraordinary amount of skill or knowledge, it does call for a humble heart. Without humility, encountering God’s grace becomes difficult because it is predicated upon our willingness to admit and confess our sins before God.
- Imperative to this process is studying the Scripture because it serves a mirror to our soul that shows the true condition of our heart (James 1:23-5). We also need the Spirit to give us wisdom to apply what we learn from God’s word to our lives; this, of course, means praying earnestly, daily. Little by little, then, we will grow to maturity.
- Personal response
Evening Reflection
“We must allow the Word of God to confront us, to disturb our security, to undermine our complacency and to overthrow our patterns of thought and behavior.” -John Stott
This powerful quote by John Stott describes what the Word of God should do in our lives. As we strive to be doers of God’s word, we should also remember that the law gives us liberty and freedom (James 1:22-25) and is not burdensome to obey. Take some time and make some specific commitments of how you want to study the Word in 2014. It can be a daily devotional or seeking accountability with someone. Pray that your love for the Word would grow more in the coming year!