REPOSTToday’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor David Kwon who heads Journey Community Church in Raleigh, North Carolina, was first posted on November 16, 2013. He is a graduate of Drexel University (BS) and Columbia International University (M.Div.).
Devotional Though for This Morning
“Remembering the Faithfulness of God”
Psalm 105:1-45
Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! [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.[40] They asked, and he brought quail, and gave them bread from heaven in abundance. [41] He opened the rock, and water gushed out; it flowed through the desert like a river. [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’s promise that he would get me a bike if I earned good enough grades in that particular semester. As I worked hard and kept my grades up, my father was faithful in keeping his word; I soon became the owner of a brand-new bike. It is a precious memory of my father that I have not forgotten 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; therefore, He is worthy to be praised. The word “covenant” is used three times in verses 8-10, which emphasizes that our God is the one who initiates, and then, carries out the promises made in the 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 held you through the joys and hardships of life; He is a faithful God.
Prayer: Dear God, thank You for Your faithfulness. Thank You that You never change. Thank You that I am in good hands—Your hands—always and all the time. Amen.
Bible Reading for Today: Matthew 4
Lunch Break Study
Read Hebrews 13:8: Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Questions to Consider
- It is not quite the end of what was a new year 9 months ago, but you know the end of 2021 is right at the door. So what do people usually do as they are about to enter a new year?
- What does it mean to you that God never changes?
- How should it change the way we live?
Notes
- At the end of the year, people often reflect on what happened that year and the changes they desire in the New Year. You may remember successes and failures: things that make you happy and proud, or sad and ashamed. Sometimes we are eager to make changes; other times, we feel forced to do so; either way, we are constantly changing and changes can often be good. Most of us want to change and grow spiritually because we want to become more like Jesus. We want to forsake our sins, to honor the Lord, to be more loving and forgiving, and to let the world know what Jesus has done for us.
- 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 and grace never change in spite of our failings; His goodness for us is constant and His character stays the same. Pray that as we remember who Jesus is, it would give us greater confidence in the Lord because of who He is and what He has done.
- Personal response
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: our God will never lead us astray because He is faithful; therefore, we can trust Him with our money, career, future, family, etc. Are you trusting God in all the areas of your life?