July 6, Saturday

Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, written by Pastor Charles Choe (Tapestry Church, Los Angeles), was originally posted on December 7, 2014.

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Knowing God is to Trust Him”

Proverbs 16:3, 9

“Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established.”

“The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.”

During my senior year in high school, I recall meeting with my guidance counselor to discuss my future college and major. For some reason, I felt uneasy and an overwhelming fear accompanying me the whole time I was with her. I felt extremely intimidated in deciding my future, for I thought that whatever decision I made now would be irreversible for the rest of my life. Feeling pressured to make the right decision within the fifteen minutes I was allotted, seemed overwhelming for me.

Today’s verses remind us that we do not need to fret or be anxious because God has a plan for our lives that will ultimately glorify Him and be good for us. We can make our own plans, but unless we’re submitting those plans to the Lord, we will continually find ourselves frustrated and being delayed in experiencing His peace. These two verses point out that God is in control even of our plans and He will ultimately establish them.

Just pause and consider that. No matter what you go through, you can go at it with the assurance that God loves you and knows what’s best for you. And if you are willing to commit your ways to Him, He will unfold His perfect plan for your life. This is a very comforting thought. This means that you don’t have to be so anxious about what to do, whether to move to a new city or stay put, whether to date this or that person, or whether to go left or go right. What’s more important than trying to make the right decision is the motive behind that decision.

Ask yourself: Do I want to major in this career to glorify God? Am I dating this person so that I can gain a partner to serve the purposes of the Gospel? It appears to me that you can’t really go against God or make the wrong decision if you are seeking first His kingdom and righteousness.

Ultimately, it’s about committing yourself and your work to the Lord, and desiring his will to be done through your life each day. Knowing God is to trust Him. This is the kind of person that the Lord is looking for. If we become that kind of a person, then Solomon tells us that our plans will succeed. This doesn’t mean that we’ll always make a lot of money or that our lives will be easy. But it does mean that because our vision for our lives are in line with God’s, we will have peace and joy in Him, knowing that we are exactly where He wants us to be.

Prayer: Father, help me to submit myself and my plan to You out of knowing that You are a good God who “plans to prosper [me] and not harm [me], plans to give [me] hope and a future” (Jer. 29:11). Most of all, thank You for giving us Jesus to save us. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Kings 7-8

July 5, Friday

Today’s AMI QT Devotional, written by Pastor Andrew Kim of Tapestry Church (Los Angeles), was originally posted on December 28, 2015.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

“Moralistic Therapeutic Deism”—What?

Hosea 10:1

Israel is a luxuriant vine that yields its fruit. The more his fruit increased, the more altars he built; as his country improved, he improved his pillars.

The conclusion of a nationwide survey conducted in the early 2000’s by sociologist Christian Smith, who attempted to gauge the spiritual DNA of Americans, was unsettling: Most Americans believed in what he coined as moralistic therapeutic deism, meaning the goal of life is to feel good about oneself and that God exists to serve us. This shouldn’t surprise us since we live in a time when church services aim to entertain rather than to challenge; it’s more about keeping people in the pews happy, rather than challenging them to follow Christ regardless of the cost. Consequently, we’ve produced consumers, not disciples. So then, why did God save us?

Here, in Hosea 10, we find the prophet pronouncing a scathing judgment upon the nation of Israel for exactly the same reason—they were a self-serving people. At first glance, when Hosea writes that “Israel is a luxuriant vine that yields its fruit,” it seems to be a compliment. However, in the original language it would be better translated as, “Israel is a luxuriant vine that yields its fruit for itself.” And this was a serious offense. God as the vinedresser had planted Israel as a vine that would one day bear fruit for others. But instead, they chose a self-centered path. It was all about them!

Israel failed to remember that when God had promised Abraham the nation of Israel in Genesis 12, its primary purpose was to bring blessing to all nations. They were supposed to be a nation that shared God’s blessings with the surrounding Canaanites who served territorial gods that scorned other nations. But unlike Israel, we must not forget why we exist as a community. The church has been instituted, not as a means to primarily serve our own needs, but to be a conduit of God’s blessing to those around us. This means that God has given us the church, our jobs, finances, and abilities as a way to share God’s love and blessings with others. Consider today what God has given you, and begin wrestling with how you can use it all for His glory and for the building up of others. It’s when we live this out that we are most fulfilled and happy!

Prayer: God, help me to see beyond my own needs and desires. Give me a heart full of love and generosity that will allow me to use the gifts and resources You’ve given me for the sake of others and ultimately for Your glory.

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Kings 6

Lunch Break Study

Read Matthew 28:16-20: Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’

Questions to consider

What is the commission given to the disciples before Jesus ascends?
What does it mean that all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Jesus?
How have you done lately in regards to living this commission out? Do you share the love of Christ or keep it for yourself?

Notes

He commissions us out to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This means that the church has the responsibility of sharing who Jesus is with the world around us. This prohibits us from making church all about us. It challenges us to look outside of our own spiritual state and to be broken for those who do not yet know Jesus.
Before His risen state, Jesus was a penniless preacher. But now, the situation was much different. No longer did the limitations of the incarnation apply to Him. He now possessed full authority in heaven and on earth. And this is good news because we would not be able to fulfill our commission unless the Jesus who promises to be with us until the end has all authority in heaven and earth. He is the only reason we can accomplish what we’ve been sent to do.
Personal response.

Evening Reflection

We live in a culture where giving is not our default posture, and it’s easy to constantly think about ourselves more than ever. How can you work on becoming more other-centered? What are some areas of greed in your life? Do you reflect the generosity and the giving posture of the God we serve? Or do you reflect the self-serving pattern of our world? Take some time to assess the way you live your life in regards to these questions.

July 4, Thursday

Devotional Thoughts for Today

“A Direct Line to God”

Psalm 4:1-3

Answer me when I call to you, O my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; be merciful to me and hear my prayer. 2 How long, O men, will you turn my glory into shame? How long will you love delusions and seek false gods? Selah 3 Know that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself; the Lord will hear when I call to him.

The truth be told, we often take for granted how God is readily accessible to us (Rom. 5:2); but that’s not something the Israelites in the OT had enjoyed: God was near them but not yet with them. They heard God’s word from the mouth of prophets, but both they and the prophets could never experience “the Spirit himself testify[ing] with our spirit that we are God’s children” (Rom. 8:16). The adoption into God’s family would become a reality only after the coming of Christ (Jn. 1:12) and the sending of the Holy Spirit into our hearts thereafter, thereby enabling us to hear God’s voice from within—based on Scripture (Jn. 7:39; 2 Cor. 1:22; 1 Cor. 7:29; Acts 17:11). This is one main reason “many prophets and righteous people [in the OT] longed to see what [we] see, and did not see it, and to hear what [we] hear, and did not hear it” (Mt. 13:17).

This is to say, what David had longed for is a reality to us in Christ, but are we taking advantage of it? Foremost, if you are still not a believer, you are wasting a golden opportunity to be part of God’s family, along with its many privileges and blessings (and responsibilities to follow). If you are already a believer, then, how is your prayer life? You should really pray, even more now (NT) because we have a direct line to God Himself. Yes, God is waiting for you to call!

So, what are some activities in your life that seem to sap your desire and energy to pray consistently? Prayerlessness is nothing less than not depending on God. Anyone who says, “I depend on the Lord” but rarely ever prays is no different than a politician elected on a pro-environment platform who drives a Hummer! In addition, those who say prayer doesn’t work really haven’t prayed to give it a fair shot, for biblical prayer is not like talking to a waiter; rather it is an unhurried time of intimate dialogue with God and crying out to Him! And He hears you.

Considering this, earnestly evaluate your prayer life: What does it say about your dependence on the Lord (Ez. 8:21-3)? Remember—to add something to our agenda, sometimes we have to make room for it. To pray or to add more time to our existing prayer life, certain activities may need to be eliminated or reduced. My suggestion is reducing the time devoted to internet surfing, such as updating your Facebook and/or perusing that of others! A lot of time is wasted on that activity alone. Pray today.

Prayer: Dear God, I thank You for this privilege of being able to speak to You freely. Help me to draw closer to You because I desperately need You to navigate my life toward where You want me to be.

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Kings 5

Lunch Break Study

Read Luke 18:1-8: And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. 2 He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. 3 And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ 4 For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’” 6 And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. 7 And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? 8 I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

Questions to Consider

To whom was this parable said?
Why was this taught?
In the parable (Lk. 18:2-5), the unjust judge is an antitype of God. What is Jesus driving at through this literary device3 (Lk. 18:6-8)?

Notes

Jesus told this to his disciples.
Probably foreseeing the future in which his men would encounter persecutions and trials in carrying out the Great Commission (Mt. 10:17-22), Jesus shared this parable to inculcate in them how they should never give up on prayer.
Through this anti-type, Jesus’ point is even more clear: even an unjust judge will grant a petition presented daily by a relentless petitioner just to get her off his back. But God is completely opposite from this man in character and affection toward those who would petition Him. If He is not granting your request at the moment, there is a good reason for it; but in time, He will grant your wish “if we ask anything according to his will” (1 Jn. 5:14b).

Evening Reflection

We began the day reading about David’s crying out to the Lord. Did anything happen today that would make you do the same? Did you get to pray today? If not, what kept you from praying? Pray about it.

July 3, Wednesday

Devotional Thoughts for Today

“Conflicts that Rattle our Security—What Does that Say About Us?

Psalm 3:1-4

O Lord, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me! 2 Many are saying of me, “God will not deliver him.” Selah. 3 But you are a shield around me, O Lord; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head. 4 To the Lord I cry aloud and he answers me from his holy hill.

This Psalm was King David’s prayer when his own son Absalom, after having overtaken the throne, was looking to kill him. For some people, their own family becomes a seedbed of trouble instead of a place of comfort. Even Jesus’ own family rejected Him at first as the Son of God, believing that he was crazy. In fact, on one occasion, when [Jesus’] family heard [about what he was doing], they went out to seize him, for they were saying, “He is out of his mind” (Mk. 3:21).

Where people live side-by-side, conflicts are inevitable. I am sure in your work and church, you encounter people who are better or worse endowed than you in terms of education, talent, physical appearance, and socioeconomics. That’s just a fact of life! Wherever humans live, that will always be the case!

Therefore, one source of conflict is dealing with those who seem to be better or less endowed than us. If our measurement is more impressive than that of others, we become condescending toward the latter; but if the reverse is the case, we are given to unhappiness and envy. What does this then say about the basis of your security?

Looking at what happened to David (losing his secure position overnight to his own son), where should our security and confidence come from? What is the theological basis for our security in Christ? Our security is rooted in God’s unconditional acceptance of us, regardless of our demerits. Romans 15:7 declares, “Christ accepted you”—just as we are, in him.

So what are some practical steps we need to take (2 Cor. 10:12)? One practical step is refusing to compare ourselves with others. Learning to be content is the key. Are you content in Christ?

Prayer: Lord, thank you for this wonderful new day of experiencing again your amazing love & grace. I lift up to You every member of my family that each may know the surpassing love of Christ and be found in Him!

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Kings 4

Lunch Break Study

Read Luke 18:9-14: He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: 10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ 13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Questions to Consider

To whom was this parable said?
Why was this said?
Why is humility so important in being justified (i.e., saved) by God (Eph. 2:8-9)?

Notes

This was said to unnamed people who, like the Pharisees, mocked others on account of their flawless obedience to the requirements of the Law.
This was said because Jesus wanted to make sure that his hearers understood what God was looking for: a humble and penitent heart over those who are intoxicated and impressed with their own religiosity.
Without it, humans will boast that their good works, at the very least, nudged God toward saving them. When good works are added, according to Paul, we fall away from grace (Gal. 5:4-5).

Evening Reflection

Though family relationships can stress us out, they can shed much light on God’s love and grace as well. Did you have any interesting experiences with anyone in your family? Have you resolved the last family conflict? If not, then ask God to give you the strength to reconcile. Don’t delay. Trust God who, in all things, including our conflicts, works for the good of those who love him (Rom. 8:28)? Even as we pray for and love our family, we look to God for comfort; He alone is our deliverance and our security!

July 2, Tuesday

Devotional Thoughts for Today

“It Rains on Everyone—No Exceptions”

Psalm 1:6, 2:7-8

For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish . . . 7 I will proclaim the decree of the Lord: He said to me, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father.” 8 Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession.

While serving as a youth group leader many years ago, I once asked my students to draw a picture of the parable of the wise and foolish builder in Matthew 7:24-27. And I still recall what Fred drew: While the rain fell, the streams rose, and the wind blew and beat against the house

built on sand, the sun was shining from above the house built on rock. Even though I was only a young man at the time, I knew enough to tell Fred that that’s not how life works; neither does faith.

If you haven’t discovered it already from the laboratory of life, God never guaranteed a problem-free life. Recall what David said: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadows of death . . .” However, the LORD did promise to give us sufficient grace (2 Cor. 12:9) to overcome whatever trial and tribulation that may come our way. It could be a problem quickly (or eventually) fixed (don’t we all wish that) or experiencing “the peace of God that transcends all understanding, . . . guard[ing] our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:7)—even though our circumstances remain the same. Why would God do that for us? It’s because we have been adopted as His sons and daughters through faith in Christ! Therefore, He deeply cares for us. For that, we are eternally thankful and grateful!

Can you recall a time when you really felt God’s presence while going through a tough situation in life? What did you learn about Him at that time? My 30s was very disappointing because much that I had planned and hoped for in ministry didn’t materialize. But, during my 40s, while serving as a missionary in Mexico where I had so much fun, I came to see that God prepared me through many disappointments in my 30s so that I could be part of a meaningful and fruitful ministry later; for that, I am so grateful the Lord.

Are your present circumstances quite difficult to bear? Take a moment to see with the “eyes of our heart” (Eph. 1:18) a God who cares for you (1 Pet. 5:7).

Prayer: Dear God, I praise and thank You in all circumstances, even those that are very difficult because You allow them so that I may not rely on myself but on You. LORD, remind and motivate me to come to You daily for a moment prayer and reflection

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Kings 3

Lunch Break Study

Read Luke 17:11-19: On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. 12 And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers,[a] who stood at a distance 13 and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” 14 When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed. 15 Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; 16 and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. 17 Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? 18 Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well

Questions to Consider

Who said this and to whom was this said?
Why was this said?
What is the subtext to the fact that only the Samaritan (i.e., an outsider) returned to thank Jesus (Mt. 20:16)?

Notes

Jesus said it to a leprous Samaritan who returned to thank the Lord for healing him.
Because nine other lepers, all Israelites, failed to express gratitude to Jesus for healing them.
The Israelites who were supposed to be closer to God had ungrateful (entitled) hearts toward Christ while a man whom the Jews saw as distant from God (being of a mixed race and religion) showed a sensitive heart. This shows that in the spiritual world, the last can be first (when the spirit of humility and gratefulness is embodied) while the first can be last

Evening Reflection

We began the day reflecting on God’s protective presence. Was today more difficult than other days? What happened?

And for Lunch Break Study, we dealt with the matter of gratitude. Honestly assessing your life, do you find yourself thanking God more or complaining about your life? What is keeping you from being grateful to Him? What will help you to become more grateful? How about recalling our miserable existence before coming to Christ; not measuring ourselves with others who appear to have more on the outside. Anyway, as you start the new month, can you think of anything that you can be thankful for right now?

July 1, Monday

The AMI QT Devotionals from July 1-4 are provided by Pastor Ryun Chang.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

“Your Choice Matters”

Psalm 1:1-3

Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. 2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. 3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.

Many years ago, I rebuked a young Reformed seminarian who discouraged one of my congregants from praying persistently because, according to his theology, her praying was tantamount to trying to “bend the arm of God” (his wording). He kept insisting that we don’t need to pray like that because God is sovereign; I kept telling the seminarian that this congregant was no different than the persistent widow who never stopped pleading (Lk. 18:1-8).

I have no doubt that those who mindlessly champion the doctrine of the sovereignty of God, will not like the point I am about to make but Psalm 1:1-3 gives me no choice: God, precisely in His sovereignty, has given human the free will to choose Him and His ways. Here, we see that the Psalmist chooses to delight in God’s law instead of heeding the counsel of the wicked. Joshua would’ve concurred, for he told the Israelites shortly before passing away: “Choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Jos. 24:15b).

And the LORD will honor our choices; that is to say, if some choose to reject Christ and his offer of salvation, God will not treat their decision as if they had chosen to believe Christ. Seeing from this standpoint, universalism, which postulates that everyone will go to heaven regardless whether one believes Christ or not (e.g., “the Gospel of Inclusion”), is an insult to humanity (“your decisions are inconsequential”) and an affront to God’s attribute of love (which accords humans the freedom to rebel). Actually, there is no greater privilege than God treating us in this manner: it not only shows His love for humanity, but the undeserved dignity bestowed upon us as well.

And to choose God and His ways every day, without the intake of His word along with the enabling power of the Spirit (in prayer), we are bound to make poor choices, or as the Psalmist says, “walk in the counsel of the wicked.” Why? For one thing, we are inundated with so many alluring temptations. Thus, disciplining ourselves to have meaningful time with God on a daily basis (“day and night”) is not an option but a spiritual necessity.

There is no better time to start on this than the first day of a new month! As we start July of 2019, reflect on the kindness of our God, who does not want “anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Pet. 3:9). Offer a prayer of commitment to keep your time with God.

Prayer: God, bless and keep me today so that I can make better decisions throughout this week. Strengthen me to overcome my fear of man so that I can make the kind of choices that would honor Your Son Jesus.

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Kings 2

Note: Oops. Yesterday’s Bible reading should have been 1 King 1, not 2 Samuel 25.

Lunch Break Study

Read Matthew 7:13: Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

Before reflecting on this verse, let’s find out what Jesus had in mind (that is, teachings that led people astray) when he said this. Among the several religious sects at that time vying for people’s attention, two stood prominently: Sadducees and Pharisees.

Questions to Consider

How would you describe the teachings of the Sadducees (Mt. 22:23, Acts 23:8)? Why would such teaching lead to the “wide gate”?
How would you describe the teachings of the Pharisees? Why would such teaching lead to the “wide gate” (Mt. 23:13; Mk. 7:5-13)?
What would be some wide gate teachings of today that affect how we think about God and salvation?

Notes

The Sadducees correctly upheld that the written law of the OT alone was binding; however, their interpretation rejected the spiritual world as well as miracles such as the resurrection. They were like the liberal theologians of today whose rejection of the essential Christian doctrines has emasculated the gospel.
As for the Pharisees, despite adding many oral traditions to Judaism, making them equal to the Scriptures, they upheld the spiritual world. But it didn’t matter as these extra teachings kept people from entering the kingdom of heaven.
Universalism (“Everyone is already saved”) or religious pluralism (“All religions lead to the same God”). A quick response can be gleaned from Acts 4:12, Jn. 14:6 & 1 Jn 5:12.

Evening Reflection

Matthew 7:13 can easily be applied to our everyday living. For instance, entering through the narrow gate implies making a choice that would honor and please God even if it does not tangibly benefit us, at least at the outset. Are you facing a situation where you need to make a decision but aren’t sure what to do? Are you weighing the short- and long-term benefits? If you were to make this decision based solely on this passage, what would that be? It comes down to this: Do we trust God? Christ assures in this way: “Trust in God; trust also in me” (Jn. 14:1). Write your thoughts:

June 30, Sunday

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

Exodus 40:36-38

Throughout all their journeys, whenever the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the people of Israel would set out. 37 But if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not set out till the day that it was taken up. 38 For the cloud of the Lord was on the tabernacle by day, and fire was in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel throughout all their journeys.”

In today’s passage, the Israelites are given specific directions on when to move from one place to another during their journey to the promised land. They were to remain in one place until they saw God give them the sign to continue when they saw the cloud taken up. I would imagine that this rhythm of seeing God’s presence in the form of a cloud and fire during their journey through the difficult terrains of the wilderness to be comforting. It would be a reminder of God’s nearness—that they were not alone.

A few years ago my wife and I went through a difficult time when she had a miscarriage. It was our first pregnancy and we were devastated to find out that the baby would not make it. A lot of tears were shed as we were dealing with an influx of emotions. However, God was with through this difficult journey. Although it wasn’t in the form of a cloud or fire in the sky, we saw God’s presence with us in the form of the church body supporting us, moments of comfort in our times of prayer, and God’s grace when He gave us the faith to trust Him even in this situation. It was the only way we could have endured and walked through this difficult journey towards healing.

Many of us are going through seasons of pain and suffering—where it is difficult to see God’s presence. We want Him to come like a cloud or fire to reassure us. But as we learned yesterday, God is indeed with us—better yet, dwells within us wherever we are. Whether we recognize it or not, He is faithful to carry us through whatever situation we find ourselves in. We just need the eyes to see His faithfulness in our moments of pain. Let us pray for God to give us eyes to see Him and to trust Him in all circumstances!

Prayer: Father, in the moments where I sense that You are absent, give me the eyes to see your presence around me and the faith to trust You in all things!

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Kings 1

June 29, Saturday

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Hosting the Presence of God”

Exodus 40:34

“Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.”

In today’s passage, we read about a momentous occasion. As Moses erects the tabernacle, the glory of God comes down from Mount Sinai and fills the tent of meeting. It must have been an awesome event to behold. Just a while ago they could not even approach the base of the mountain lest they die. Now, the very presence of Yahweh descends and dwells with them. God is right there in their midst! It was a visible sign of their covenant relationship—a sign of intimacy and, thereby, privilege, that Israel would be able to enjoy by God’s grace.

Nevertheless, while this may appear as a step forward, it was not the type of communion that was originally intended by God. When we go back to the Garden of Eden, we read about God walking in the cool of the day with Adam and Eve—without the need for tabernacles, tents, and veils. Humanity was designed for intimacy with its creator in a direct manner; but sin shattered this intimate fellowship between God and man.

An amazing truth is that through the work of Christ, we are able to experience an intimacy with God that is greater than what Adam and Eve experienced. In Acts 2, the disciples are in the upper room waiting for God and “suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.” Later in the chapter it says that this event was a fulfillment of a prophecy in Joel—that God would pour His Spirit on all flesh. In other words, just like the glory of God filling the tabernacle, God’s Spirit comes like a rushing wind and fills the disciples—not a tent or a temple but the flesh of Jesus’ followers.

What we have been given by the gospel is not a communion experienced externally from us; it is much more special than that—God Himself dwells internally within us. It is a scandalous truth—that people like us can host God’s presence. Therefore, let us be reminded that God dwells within us! So, today, thank Jesus for giving us a type of intimacy with God that we could have never earned on our own!

Prayer: Father, thank You for the gift of your presence. That You are a God who does not remain distant but insists on intimate communion with your people. Help us to always be aware of this amazing truth!

Bible Reading for Today: 2 Samuel 23-24

June 28, Friday

Devotional Thoughts for Today

“The Priestly Role of the Church”

Exodus 40:12-15

“Then you shall bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance of the tent of meeting and shall wash them with water 13 and put on Aaron the holy garments. And you shall anoint him and consecrate him, that he may serve me as priest. 14 You shall bring his sons also and put coats on them,15 and anoint them, as you anointed their father, that they may serve me as priests. And their anointing shall admit them to a perpetual priesthood throughout their generations.”

In today’s passage, we find directions given to Moses from God about the line of Aaron serving as a perpetual priesthood throughout the generations. Aaron’s descendants would fulfill the role of representing God to their people—acting as an intermediary between God and the Israelites. It was a very crucial role in the life of Israel. However, in some sense, this role was not limited to only those of Aaron’s line; all of Israel was called to a priestly role.

You see, Yahweh delivered the people of Israel from slavery in Egypt through a powerful demonstration of His power and might. However, God’s plan was not limited to just freedom from bondage. He had a grand purpose and role reserved for them—a vital part in His mission to redeem and renew all of creation. After going through the waters, the Israelites find themselves at the bottom of Mount Sinai and God declares to them, “You shall be to me a kingdom of priests…” (Exodus 19:6). In other words, their nation would not exist for itself but represent God among the nations (Exodus 15:27). They would be commissioned to declare God’s glory in both word and deed.

Interestingly, 1 Peter 2:9 calls the church a royal priesthood. The role originally bestowed upon ethnic Israel has been transferred to the church. It is an important reminder that the church does not solely exist for itself. A pivotal role the church plays in God’s story is one of a priest-we are called to represent God and demonstrate His love and glory to our cities who desperately need Him. Sometimes churches can be so inward focus that we lose this aspect of our calling as a body. Let us remember that our churches are called to the lost! Let us remember that we are priests who have the gospel to proclaim to the nations!

Prayer: Father, we thank You that we have been called to represent who You are to the world around us. I recognize how weighty of a responsibility this role is. Fill me and my church with the power of Your Spirit to reflect your character well to those in our cities!

Bible Reading for Today: 2 Samuel 22

Lunch Break Study

Read 1 Peter 2:9-12: But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 11 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. 12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.”

Questions to Consider

What are the titles given to the church? What ultimate purpose do these titles speak to?
Why does Peter call the church to abstain from the passions of the flesh and to be honorable among the Gentiles?
What are some “good deeds” you can begin in your life to bring glory to God?

Notes

Chosen race, royal priesthood, holy nation, a people for His possession. All of this is for the ultimate purpose of proclaiming the excellencies of God to the world.
He calls them to be honorable so that by their good deeds they may glorify God.
Personal response.

Evening Reflection

1 Peter 2:12 says, “Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.”

Take some time to reflect on your life. How are your deeds, lifestyle, and character leading others to glorify God? How might you be hindering people from seeing God?

June 27, Thursday

Devotional Thoughts for Today

“Nothing Will Separate You from God’s Grace in Christ Jesus”

Exodus 40:1-3

“The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “On the first day of the first month you shall erect the tabernacle of the tent of meeting. 3 And you shall put in it the ark of the testimony, and you shall screen the ark with the veil.

In Exodus 40:1-3 we read about the holy of holies, which was the very epicenter of God’s presence in the Old Testament era. The passage tells us that the ark of the testimony was covered by a veil. Since the people of Israel were sinful and unclean, they were not allowed to enter the holy of holies. The high priest would enter once a year on the day of atonement, and only after a series of rituals to ensure his cleanliness. He would also put on bells to let the people outside know if he was still alive or dead (Exodus 28:34-35). Bell sounds meant he was still moving. No sounds meant something went wrong and he was no longer alive. There was a real sense of fear when entering God’s presence. The high priest needed to make sure he did all the right things and was in the right state before going into the holy of holies.

To some degree I can relate to this. Ever since I was younger, I had always struggled to feel safe in God’s presence. There has always been this sense that I had to be good enough, at least for a period, before I could freely be with God. I felt as if God would allow bad things to happen to me, that He wouldn’t answer my prayers, or would meet me in a posture of disappointment because of my shortcomings. However, all that changed once I had truly understood the gospel of grace for the first time—that I did not need to be fearful anymore.

Matthew 27:51 says that after Jesus died “And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.” In other words, due to the substitutionary death of Jesus, the veil was no longer necessary. Jesus’ work on the cross had paid our debts and reconciled us back to the Father. As those who have professed their faith in Christ, there is no need for bells to alert people if we’re still alive in God’s presence. We are assured a place at His table through the work of grace in Christ.

Many of us struggle with fear before the Father. Some of us have not been able to be in God’s presence for a long time because the weight of guilt has been heavy on our hearts. But let us look to Christ and His atoning work! Let us be assured that God looks at us through His Jesus Christ, and for this reason, we can enter His presence freely!

Prayer: Father, I confess that at times I struggle with accepting Your grace. There is a part of me that feels the need to work and prove my goodness before I come to You. Help me to trust in Your grace and Your forgiveness!

Bible Reading for Today: 2 Samuel 21

Lunch Break Study

Read Ephesians 2:1-10: “And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

Questions to Consider

What was the condition of humanity before the grace of God in verses 1-3?
How have we been made alive in Christ according to this passage?
Do you easily accept the grace of God or do you feel the need to work to be in good standing with God?

Notes

We were dead in our sins and trespasses, carrying out the desires of our flesh, and following the prince of the power of the air (another term for the devil). It is interesting that the description does not communicate that before Christ we were simply apathetic or indifferent towards God, but we were actively rebellious.
It is by the rich mercy of God; specifically verse 8 says, “By grace you have been saved through faith and this is not your own doing; it is a gift of God. Paul puts it in clear terms that we have not been made alive by our own work, but by the work of Christ.” Even the faith to believe has been a gift given from God.
Personal response.

Evening Reflection

“You see, the verdict is in. And now I perform on the basis of the verdict. Because [God] loves me and He accepts me, I do not have to do things just to build up my resume. I do not have to do things to make me look good. I can do things for the joy of doing them. I can help people to help people – not so I can feel better about myself, not so I can fill up the emptiness.” – Tim Keller