February 13, Wednesday

Devotional Thoughts for Today

“When He sees, He moves”

Exodus 3:7-8

Then the Lord said, “I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters. I know their sufferings, 8 and I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites.

Homer Simpson—always the dispenser of great wisdom—says this in an episode of The Simpsons while running a red light: “If I don’t see it, it’s not illegal.” At face value, this seems ridiculous—just because we don’t see something does not mean we are exonerated from it. Yet, I imagine many of us subconsciously believe this. For example, we pass someone in need, pretending not to see that person. But as long as we do not see that person, we do not need to help him or her—we are exonerated. Perhaps you have even done that with hearing, too. Someone asks you to do something but you pretend not to hear, you ignore the request. For those who are married, maybe you do that with your spouse sometimes.

Though we are sinful people who can pretend to be blind and deaf at times, God is not like that. God said to Moses, “I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters” (v.7). The phrase translated surely seen is a Hebrew idiom, literally saying, “I have seen seen.” The verb is repeated twice to add emphasis. God surely saw the pain and suffering of His people and when God sees something, He moves. He does not turn a blind eye and pass on by.

And not only does God move, He comes down. The God of the universe who rules over everything is saying that He is coming down; He is getting off His throne to come and deliver His people from slavery. Further, not only does God come down to His people to rescue them, He brings them up. He did not just free His people and tell them, “Good luck out there in the desert.” He brought them up to the Promised Land, to “a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey” (v.8).

That is the pattern of God’s activity in our lives. He sees us in our need, He comes down to us, and He brings us up. What are you going through right now? Are there struggles or sufferings you currently face? God surely sees you. And when God sees, He moves. When you cry out to Him, He comes down to lift us up. Today, let’s cry out to God, knowing that He surely sees you and He will not pass you by.

Prayer: Lord, thank You that You see me. Who am I that You would even notice me? Yet, You see me and hear my cries. May I trust in You to always be my Redeemer—the One who comes down to lift me up. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Genesis 50

Lunch Break Study

Read Psalm 34:15-18: The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry. 16 The face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth. 17 When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. 18 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.

Questions to Consider

What does it mean that the eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous?
What is the pre-condition to the Lord delivering His people out of their troubles?
To whom is God near and what does He do for them?

Notes

At the surface, this verse may seem to mean that God only looks towards those who are good, that you need to earn His attention. Yet, the biblical picture of righteousness is more about being in right relationship with God. The righteous are those who depend on God. God does not forsake those who depend on Him; rather, His eyes are always upon them, to help them in their every need.
The pre-condition is crying out to Him. This seems so straightforward, yet so often we try to do things on our own. We either don’t want God’s help or don’t think He’ll actually help us. But when we cry out to Him, He sees us and moves to deliver us. He is faithful! However, the way He helps may not be the way we want; that’s why dependence on God requires trusting that He knows what is best.
God is near to the brokenhearted and He saves them. As Jesus said of Himself, “a bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not quench” (Matt 12:20). God is gentle to the broken and He hears the cry of those who are crushed in their spirit. Remember, the God who is all powerful is the same God who comes down to us in our need to deliver us.

Evening Reflection

This evening, cry out to the Lord. Be honest with Him about the things that are weighing heavily on your heart. So often we bottle up the things that burden us; release them to the Lord and ask Him for His help. Allow His peace to come to you as you sleep tonight.

February 12, Tuesday

Devotional Thoughts for Today

“The Lord Appears” Part 2

Exodus 3:3-4

And Moses said, “I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.” 4 When the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.”

Our church currently is going through Experiencing God, so I can’t help but use another quote today (I promise this will be the last one for this week): “God’s revelation of His activity is an invitation for you to join Him…When you are in the middle of God’s activity and He lets you see where He is working, you know God wants you to join Him.”

The Lord did not appear to Moses simply to say, “Hey buddy, how’s it going?” I cannot think of any time in the Bible that the Lord spoke to His people simply for conversation (please tell me if you know of an example). When God appeared and spoke to His people, there was a reason. God was up to something and He wanted to bring His people on board. God’s revelation is always an invitation.

God revealed Himself to Moses to call him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. God appeared to Gideon to lead the Israelites against the Midianites. God appeared to Ezekiel at the Chebar Canal to call him to prophesy to the Israelites. God’s appearance is always an invitation to join Him in what He is doing—we see this countless times throughout the Bible.

This means that God’s appearance demands a response. When God called Moses, he responded, “Here I am”—which is basically the ancient equivalent of saying, “I am ready to listen.” Moses turned his full attention to God. Though we know Moses was hesitant about the specific task given (which we will see later), Moses’ ears were turned to the Lord. He was ready to listen and respond.

How about us? Are we ready to say, “Here I am” when the Lord appears to us? Are we ready to respond to Him? Yesterday, we prayed for eyes to see God when He appears, but this appearance is meaningless if we do not respond. God’s appearance is always an invitation for us to join Him – will you accept that invitation?

Prayer: Lord, thank You that You reveal Your ways and purposes to us. Thank You that You involve us in what You are doing! Who are we to be included in Your plans, yet You choose to use us nonetheless. Please give us ears to listen and hearts to respond to what You say to us. May You use us for Your kingdom purposes. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Genesis 49

Lunch Break Study

Read Judges 6:11-16: Now the angel of the Lord came and sat under the terebinth at Ophrah, which belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, while his son Gideon was beating out wheat in the winepress to hide it from the Midianites. 12 And the angel of the Lord appeared to him and said to him, “The Lord is with you, O mighty man of valor.” 13 And Gideon said to him, “Please, my lord, if the Lord is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all his wonderful deeds that our fathers recounted to us, saying, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt?’ But now the Lord has forsaken us and given us into the hand of Midian.” 14 And the Lord turned to him and said, “Go in this might of yours and save Israel from the hand of Midian; do not I send you?” 15 And he said to him, “Please, Lord, how can I save Israel? Behold, my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.” 16 And the Lord said to him, “But I will be with you, and you shall strike the Midianites as one man.”

Questions to Consider

What was Gideon doing when the Lord appeared to him?
Why did God appear to Gideon? What did He say He would use Gideon to do?
What was the guarantee of Gideon’s success in God’s mission?

Notes

Gideon was working. He was beating out wheat, which was an ordinary task. He was hiding in a winepress due to the fear of the Midianites, but still the Lord appeared to him in the midst of the mundane.
God appeared to Gideon in order to invite him to be a part of God’s mission to rescue Israel from the Midianites. God said to Gideon, “Go in this might of yours and save Israel from the hand of Midian; do I not send you?” Though Gideon would be the unexpected hero, God appeared in order to set in motion a plan to use Gideon in a great way. Thankfully, Gideon eventually did get on board with God’s plans.
When God appears to us and invites us into His plans, He does not simply then send us off to figure it out on our own, saying, “Don’t worry, you got this.” No, he goes with us. Gideon asked how he would know that he could actually do what God asked of him. God responded by saying, “I will be with you.” That was the guarantee of Gideon’s success. We have the same promise, as Jesus said, “I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matt. 28:20).

Evening Reflection

Have you felt the Lord inviting you to partner with Him in some way? Perhaps you have recently felt a desire to serve in some capacity at church or maybe there is a friend or coworker you have felt led to share the gospel with, or maybe there is something else on your heart. Take time to say “yes” to God and commit to doing what He is inviting you to do.

February 11, Monday

The AMI QT Devotionals for February 11-17 provided by Doug Tritton. Doug, a graduate of University of Pennsylvania, is currently serving as a staff at Symphony Church (Boston), while pursuing a M.Div. at Gordon Conwell Seminary. He is married to Cindy and they are proud parents of Audrey and Benji, who was born this past December. Congratulations.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

“The Lord Appears” (Part 1)

Exodus 3:1-2

Now Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, and he led his flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2 And the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed.

Imagine this scene: You are at your workplace – let’s say it is a normal corporate office building—and you are sitting at your desk. You get up to pick up something you just printed. But while standing by the printer, suddenly, you hear a voice calling to you. You look and it seems the Lord has appeared to you out of the midst of a plant in your office. How would you react? What would you do? Can you imagine this even happening?

This seems comical at face value, because it’s difficult for many of us to imagine this ever happening. Even as a pastor, I have a hard time imagining God visibly appearing to me when I am at our church office. But this is what happened to Moses. He was basically in his workplace, out in the wilderness keeping his sheep, which is what he did every day. He probably had a hard time imagining the Lord appearing to him while he was out keeping the sheep. His routine seemed too ordinary.

Maybe the Lord wants to meet with you in your workplace today—perhaps your office, your classroom, or wherever you work will be holy ground. Yet oftentimes it’s in the ordinariness of our daily routine that the Lord wants to appear to us. He might not appear to you out of a plant, but He may speak to you. But are you ready? Do you have ears to hear, eyes to see, and a heart to respond? Or are you too distracted with your work that you would not even notice God’s appearance. Henry Blackaby says in Experiencing God, “One of the greatest tragedies among God’s people is that, although they deeply long to experience God, they are encountering Him day after day but do not recognize Him.”

Today, keep your eyes and ears open to the Lord. I believe He does want to meet with us. So often we get so distracted at work that we leave the office having not even thought about Him once. Pray this morning for an attentive heart to the Lord. Even our workplaces can be places we meet God and see Him work.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for being a God who meets us where we are. We do not have to come to You to find You. There is not a temple where we need to visit to meet with You – the whole earth is Your temple and that even includes our workplaces. May we believe that You can meet us today. Give ears and eyes and hearts that are ready for You. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Genesis 48

Lunch Break Study

Read 2 Kings 6:15-17: When the servant of the man of God rose early in the morning and went out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was all around the city. And the servant said, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” 16 He said, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 17 Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

Questions to Consider

Why was the servant of Elisha afraid? What did he see?
What did the servant not see?
When you think about your work, in what ways are you seeing from a worldly perspective rather than from God’s perspective? How can you see things the way God sees?

Notes

The servant only saw an enemy army and this army was massive. In any worldly sense, Elisha and his people had no chance. They were a defenseless city against a large army. Naturally, the servant was terrified and could only see defeat.
Though from a worldly perspective, Elisha and his people were far less than the army of Syria, there was another army present that the servant did not see. This was the army of the Lord and this army was surrounding Elisha and his people to give them protection. From God’s perspective, there was no reason to be afraid!
Pray and reflect on this question before resuming your work for the afternoon.

Evening Reflection

Jesus said to his disciples in Luke 10:23, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see!” Ask God tonight to give you eyes to see God and what He is doing. Only God can open our eyes. Pray that tomorrow would be a day that you see God and see what He is doing around you.

February 10, Sunday

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“God of All Comfort”

Exodus 2:23–25 (ESV)

“During those many days the king of Egypt died, and the people of Israel groaned because of their slavery and cried out for help. Their cry for rescue from slavery came up to God. [24] And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. [25] God saw the people of Israel—and God knew.”

We tend to do everything we can to avoid suffering and risk. And though we may invest a great deal in protecting ourselves and those we love, we fight a losing battle because we live in a world ruined by sin. We know this but we are still tempted to believe in our own strength and ability to control our lives. So when suffering and grief inevitably come, we are caught off guard. In our confusion, grief can be so severe that we find ourselves unable to even put our experience into words. We can only groan before God and weep.

In our passage this morning, the people of Israel are enslaved in Egypt. They suffer for 400 hundred years and they groan because of their slavery. Certainly they pray to Yahweh, but their suffering is such that they cry aloud indiscriminately, pleading that someone—anyone—might save them. And as Israel despairs under their oppression—God remembers, sees, and knows.

God remembers His covenant, the commitments that He made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He remembers His promise to make them into a great nation, to bless them, and to bless all the families of the earth through them.

God sees His people. He is the Almighty God of galaxies but His people are always on His heart and mind. He is constantly concerned and at work for their welfare.

God not only sees, but He knows their suffering. Jesus is a high priest who sympathizes with His people.

Following a particularly difficult season of ministry, I was thankful that God gave me strength to get through it, but I had a lingering fear that He would bring me into something even more challenging and painful for my good. I saw God as helpful, but not very compassionate. Some time later, God spoke to me in prayer. He invited me to acknowledge how hard that season had been for me, and more importantly, He assured me that He was there and that He saw me and understood my pain.

If you are going through a difficult season, you are not alone. Your Father remembers His promises to you and He is fulfilling them. Your Father sees you. He has not forgotten you. Your Father knows the depth of your suffering. His heart is filled with compassion for you and He works for your future joy. Go quickly to the God of all comfort.

Prayer: Father, I thank You that You are more than a dispassionate engineer in my life, worried only about the mechanics and results. You are my Father, who loves me. Give me not only strength, but comfort as well that I may put all my trust in You. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Genesis 47

February 9, Saturday

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“The Heart of a Servant”

Exodus 2:16–22 (ESV)

Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters, and they came and drew water and filled the troughs to water their father’s flock. [17] The shepherds came and drove them away, but Moses stood up and saved them, and watered their flock. [18] When they came home to their father Reuel, he said, “How is it that you have come home so soon today?” [19] They said, “An Egyptian delivered us out of the hand of the shepherds and even drew water for us and watered the flock.” [20] He said to his daughters, “Then where is he? Why have you left the man? Call him, that he may eat bread.” [21] And Moses was content to dwell with the man, and he gave Moses his daughter Zipporah. [22] She gave birth to a son, and he called his name Gershom, for he said, “I have been a sojourner in a foreign land.”

When I was in college, I would go home from time to time to visit my parents (and do some laundry). Every time I would bring home a couple textbooks to study, but every time I would end up spending the whole weekend lounging around and relaxing—home was just too comfortable.

While our parents no longer take care of us the way they did when we were younger, after a long day, all of us desire to go home and be served—or at the very least be left alone. But often our desire to unwind is frustrated by lazy roommates, an inconsiderate spouse, or troublesome children. In our flesh, we see home as a place not to serve, but to be served.

After Moses kills an Egyptian, he is thrust out of his place of privilege loses all the comforts of home – wealth, power, and prestige. He is homeless, jobless, and alone. Moses finds himself in Midian, and there he serves the daughters of Reuel by standing up for them and watering their flock. He goes on to serve as a shepherd, a very humble occupation by Ancient Near Eastern standards. As he names his son Gershom, Moses is very aware that he is a sojourner, someone not yet home but on a journey and in a foreign land. This is not Moses’ home and this fact frees him to serve others.

When we mistakenly believe that this world is our home, a desire to be served at all times seeps into every area of our lives. If this world is our home, then all of our energy and time must be spent on accumulating the most possessions, accolades, and comforts of this world as possible. But according to the Scriptures, this world is not our home, and so we are free to set these things aside, and instead serve and care for those around us.

Prayer: Father, thank You that You have created me to live forever in Your Kingdom. May I not settle for the things of this world but yearn for my true home with You. In this life, give me grace to be like my Lord Jesus who came to serve, not to be served. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Genesis 45-46

February 8, Friday

Devotional Thoughts for Today

“His Love, His Way”

Exodus 2:11–15 (ESV)

One day, when Moses had grown up, he went out to his people and looked on their burdens, and he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his people. [12] He looked this way and that, and seeing no one, he struck down the Egyptian and hid him in the sand. [13] When he went out the next day, behold, two Hebrews were struggling together. And he said to the man in the wrong, “Why do you strike your companion?” [14] He answered, “Who made you a prince and a judge over us? Do you mean to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?” Then Moses was afraid, and thought, “Surely the thing is known.” [15] When Pharaoh heard of it, he sought to kill Moses. But Moses fled from Pharaoh and stayed in the land of Midian. And he sat down by a well.

After many years of ministry, I’ve learned profound lessons like “pray a lot,” “smile more,” and “people like it when you buy them food.” Another important ministry principle I’ve learned is that wanting to help someone is not the same as knowing how to help or having the power to do so.

When we see our children or our friends struggle, the solution can seem so simple and clear. Just follow our amazing advice and all will be well. Yet experience tells us that our wisdom and power have not solved all of our own problems, and therefore, have very real limits.

In today’s text, though Moses is living comfortably as part of Pharaoh’s household, he is distraught over the condition of his people. When he sees an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, Moses kills the Egyptian, longing to deliver the Israelites from their suffering. Unfortunately, all Moses manages to do is anger Pharaoh, and as a result, earn himself exile. The Israelites do not appreciate Moses’s attempt to deliver them and their experience of oppression and slavery remains exactly the same.

Certainly Moses cared for the Israelites and he was even willing to sacrifice his place in Pharaoh’s house to help them, but Moses chose his own method and relied on his own power to bless his people and he utterly failed.

When it comes to loving the people in our own lives we can have compassion in our hearts and a willingness to sacrifice, but if we continue to stubbornly cling to our own methods and wisdom, we too will fail to bring lasting blessing.

Only God is able to give the joy, freedom, and new life that we desire for those we love. Only by caring for others His way, in His strength, for His purposes will our love impart eternal blessing.

Prayer: Father, forgive me that I am so wise in my own eyes. Teach me how to be a better parent, spouse, child, friend, coworker and neighbor. Guide me that I may love with Your love, in Your way, for Your glory. Use me to impart freedom and joy to those around me.

Bible Reading for Today: Genesis 44

Lunch Break Study

Read 1 Samuel 13:8–13 (ESV): He waited seven days, the time appointed by Samuel. But Samuel did not come to Gilgal, and the people were scattering from him. [9] So Saul said, “Bring the burnt offering here to me, and the peace offerings.” And he offered the burnt offering. [10] As soon as he had finished offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came. And Saul went out to meet him and greet him. [11] Samuel said, “What have you done?” And Saul said, “When I saw that the people were scattering from me, and that you did not come within the days appointed, and that the Philistines had mustered at Michmash, [12] I said, ‘Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the favor of the LORD.’ So I forced myself, and offered the burnt offering.” [13] And Samuel said to Saul, “You have done foolishly. You have not kept the command of the LORD your God, with which he commanded you. For then the LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel forever…

Questions to Consider

Why does Saul offer the burnt offering?
When confronted by Samuel, is Saul repentant?
What is the result of Saul giving in to fear and taking matters into his own hands?

Notes

Saul is afraid that Samuel is not coming and that his army will entirely desert him before the battle with the Philistines.
No, Saul blames Samuel for being late and feels like he had no choice but to offer the burnt offering.
Saul’s reign as king will come to an end, ruining his own legacy as well as the future for his descendants.

Evening Reflection

Reflect on your day. What opportunities were you given to trust in the Lord as you related to other people? Ask God that your obedience would bear the fruit of His blessing in their lives.

February 7, Thursday

Devotional Thoughts for Today

“The Compassionate Providence of God”

Exodus 2:1–10 (ESV)

“Now a man from the house of Levi went and took as his wife a Levite woman. [2] The woman conceived and bore a son, and when she saw that he was a fine child, she hid him three months. [3] When she could hide him no longer, she took for him a basket made of bulrushes and daubed it with bitumen and pitch. She put the child in it and placed it among the reeds by the river bank. [4] And his sister stood at a distance to know what would be done to him. [5] Now the daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe at the river, while her young women walked beside the river. She saw the basket among the reeds and sent her servant woman, and she took it. [6] When she opened it, she saw the child, and behold, the baby was crying. She took pity on him and said, “This is one of the Hebrews’ children.” [7] Then his sister said to Pharaoh’s daughter, “Shall I go and call you a nurse from the Hebrew women to nurse the child for you?” [8] And Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Go.” So the girl went and called the child’s mother. [9] And Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Take this child away and nurse him for me, and I will give you your wages.” So the woman took the child and nursed him. [10] When the child grew older, she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son. She named him Moses, “Because,” she said, “I drew him out of the water.”

Consider the heartbreaking situation the Levite woman finds herself in. She is a slave. After Pharaoh’s pronouncement that all newborn boys must be killed, she gives birth to a beautiful baby boy. The Levite woman cannot bear to lose her son, and so she hides him for as long as she can. When she can no longer hide him, she places him in a waterproof basket, pleading in her heart that the impossible might happen, and someone—anyone—might come and save him.

Consider the heartbreaking situation Moses’ sister finds herself in. She watches her mother, desperate and despairing. She listens to her baby brother’s cries, and she can do nothing but watch.

Consider the heartbreaking situation Moses finds himself in. He is born to an oppressed people who are enslaved and murdered with full governmental and societal approval. His life is to be taken before he gets a chance to live at all.

Now consider the compassionate providence of God. The daughter of Pharaoh comes to bathe in the river at exactly the right time. She is curious about the basket when she does not have to be. She takes pity on the child when her entire nation fears and hates the Israelites. Moses’s sister is on hand to ask the perfect question, and so Moses’s mother is paid to nurse her beloved son.

In our own lives, we come across heartbreaking, impossible situations, more often than we would like. We are not guaranteed a fairytale ending to every story, but we can count on our compassionate Father to be present, to be actively at work, and to passionately pursue our good at every turn.

In our world, we come across heartbreaking, impossible situations more often than we are aware. When we are removed from the suffering, as Pharaoh’s daughter was, we have the option of closing our eyes and our hearts. May we proactively go to the hurting, be His hands and feet, and bring His compassion to the world.

Prayer: Father, I thank You that You see and act in my times of need. Give me Your love that I might see the suffering of those around me, and that I might act to make Your love and power visible to hurting people. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Genesis 43

Lunch Break Study

Read Psalm 68:4–10 (ESV): Sing to God, sing praises to his name; lift up a song to him who rides through the deserts; his name is the LORD; exult before him! [5] Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation. [6] God settles the solitary in a home; he leads out the prisoners to prosperity, but the rebellious dwell in a parched land. [7] O God, when you went out before your people, when you marched through the wilderness, Selah [8] the earth quaked, the heavens poured down rain, before God, the One of Sinai, before God, the God of Israel. [9] Rain in abundance, O God, you shed abroad; you restored your inheritance as it languished; [10] your flock found a dwelling in it; in your goodness, O God, you provided for the needy.

Questions to Consider

According to vv. 4-6, why is God worthy of worship?
According to vv. 7-10, what did God’s love for the downtrodden lead Him to do?
How should God’s people respond to His great compassion?

Notes

Among endless other reasons, God is worthy of worship because He loves and protects the oppressed and helpless. He takes notice of those who are suffering alone (orphans, widows, prisoners) and restores them.
In the wilderness and even in the Promised Land, God provided food and protection for the needy. His love was extended in very practical ways as His people followed Him.
We should frequently remember His good deeds, sing and declare His goodness, and care for those whom He cares about.

Evening Reflection

Reflect upon your day. Was there an instance when you needed God’s compassion? Bring your burdens to Him now. Did God give you an opportunity to demonstrate His compassion for others? Pray for them as well as for opportunities tomorrow to love as He loves.

February 6, Wednesday

Devotional Thoughts for Today

“Unstoppable”

Exodus 1:6–7, 11-12, 16-17, 20 (ESV)

Then Joseph died, and all his brothers and all that generation. [7] But the people of Israel were fruitful and increased greatly; they multiplied and grew exceedingly strong, so that the land was filled with them… [11] …they set taskmasters over them to afflict them with heavy burdens. They built for Pharaoh store cities, Pithom and Raamses. [12] But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and the more they spread abroad. And the Egyptians were in dread of the people of Israel… [16] “When you serve as midwife to the Hebrew women and see them on the birthstool, if it is a son, you shall kill him, but if it is a daughter, she shall live.” [17] But the midwives feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but let the male children live… [20] So God dealt well with the midwives. And the people multiplied and grew very strong.

My plans are easily frustrated. If I plan something as simple as a nice outing to the park with my family, it can be ruined by an endless number of factors that are outside of my control. Bad weather, unexpected sickness, or moodiness (my kids’ or my own—ha ha) can prevent us from even getting to the park, let alone having a great time. But, while my plans may be easily frustrated, God’s plans are unstoppable.

Joseph, the second in command in Egypt, dies, but the people continue to multiply and grow. The Egyptians actively seek to weaken the Hebrews through systematic oppression and slavery, but “the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied.” The king of Egypt commands that all male babies be killed at birth, but God grants the midwives the fear of the Lord and the people continue to multiply and grow strong. The Lord is almighty; He has a purpose for His people, and no opposition, human or otherwise, can stop Him.

In our day-to-day lives, our everchanging circumstances and the whims of people around us appear to be impossible to overcome. We aim to progress in various areas of life (relationally, financially, etc.) yet so often we feel as if we are behind and things are not going according to our plans. In response, we may “invite” God to bless our plans and empower us to accomplish them, but He invites us to something far better. Jesus invites us to give up our insignificant and easily stoppable plans and embrace His certain and unstoppable plans.

May our time and energy be invested in the plans of our sovereign Lord in whom we have hope that will not fail us.

Prayer: Father, thank You that You accomplish Your will. Forgive me that I hesitate to entrust my future to You. I imagine that my plans could be better than Yours. Help me to surrender my own plans that I might walk in Your will and receive all that You have for me.

Bible Reading for Today: Genesis 42

Lunch Break Study

Read 1 Corinthians 15:58 (ESV): “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.”

Questions to Consider

What prevents us from being steadfast in the work of the Lord?
What allows us to continue in the work of the Lord?
Is there labor in this world that is in vain?

Notes

We can grow discouraged when we face opposition, see little fruit, or do not receive what we had hoped from our investment. It can seem as if our work for the Lord is in vain.
We must know that our labor for the Lord is not in vain as Jesus is faithful to receive and use all that we give to Him.
Yes, labor that is not done for the Lord. Even works that are impressive from a human perspective are ultimately in vain if they are not done for Jesus.

Evening Reflection

Reflect upon your day. At any time, did God invite you to surrender your plans and embrace His? At any time, did God demonstrate His sovereign power to accomplish His purposes? Take a moment to thank the Father for His presence in your life and invite Him to accomplish His will in your life.

February 5, Tuesday

Devotional Thoughts for Today

“The Reward of God”

Exodus 1:15–21 (ESV)

Then the king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, one of whom was named Shiphrah and the other Puah, [16] “When you serve as midwife to the Hebrew women and see them on the birthstool, if it is a son, you shall kill him, but if it is a daughter, she shall live.” [17] But the midwives feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but let the male children live. [18] So the king of Egypt called the midwives and said to them, “Why have you done this, and let the male children live?” [19] The midwives said to Pharaoh, “Because the Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women, for they are vigorous and give birth before the midwife comes to them.” [20] So God dealt well with the midwives. And the people multiplied and grew very strong. [21] And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families.

Fear is a powerful motivator. Fear can drive us to work long hours. Fear can drive us to avoid certain people. Fear can drive us to compromise our integrity. Yet the right kind of fear can drive us to stand up against those in power.

Shiphrah and Puah are Hebrew midwives. They are women in an ancient patriarchal culture, and they are slaves. The most powerful person in Egypt demands that they kill every boy born to the Hebrews—this is a horrific and evil command from someone who would not think twice about killing them too. But the midwives fear God. They spare the newborns and as a result God gives them families.

At face value, it appears that the women do a good thing and get a good thing. But God is not simply giving the women something highly prized in their culture (a family). They receive something far greater: participating in the promises of God for His people.

In Genesis 12, God promised to make a great nation from Abraham’s descendants. The growth of the midwives’ families is part of the larger work God is doing of multiplying and growing the people of God in strength. They are blessed to be fully included in the fulfillment of God’s promises.

When we fear and obey God, He will be faithful and reward us. This doesn’t mean we will receive whatever seems good to our culture (successful children, a more high profile job, etc.). Our reward is to be included among His covenant people and to experience the fulfillment of God’s promise to them.

In this stage of redemptive history, the promise of God is that He will bless all the families of the earth and make disciples of all nations through His Son. Our reward for faith and obedience is to get to see and participate in the fulfillment of this promise.

Prayer: Father, may I fear You above all others, for what can humans do to me? Thank You that You are almighty and worthy of my trust and obedience. May my household be privileged to be part of Your work of saving the world! Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Genesis 41

Lunch Break Study

Read Genesis 29:31–35 (ESV): “When the LORD saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb, but Rachel was barren. [32] And Leah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Reuben, for she said, “Because the LORD has looked upon my affliction; for now my husband will love me.” [33] She conceived again and bore a son, and said, “Because the LORD has heard that I am hated, he has given me this son also.” And she called his name Simeon. [34] Again she conceived and bore a son, and said, “Now this time my husband will be attached to me, because I have borne him three sons.” Therefore his name was called Levi. [35] And she conceived again and bore a son, and said, “This time I will praise the LORD.” Therefore she called his name Judah …”

Questions to Consider

In His great love, what does the Lord do for Leah?
What is Leah’s response?
What significant role do her four sons (especially Judah) play in biblical history?

Notes

He opens her womb and gives her four sons.
Leah acknowledges that her sons are from the Lord. With the first three, she hopes that Jacob will now love her. With her fourth son, she simply praises God for His goodness to her.
All four of Leah’s sons are namesakes of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. Through the line of Judah, Jesus is born.

Evening Reflection

Reflect upon your day. Were there moments you were tempted to fear man rather than God? If so, go to the Lord in repentance and receive His grace to fear Him. Were there moments you acted in fear of God? If so, thank God for His strength and pray for more opportunities to seek the Kingdom.

February 4, Monday

The AMI QT Devotionals from February 4-10 are provided by Pastor Jason Sato who is presently serving at Church of Southland in Anaheim, California. Jason, a graduate of UC San Diego (B.S.) and Westminster Theological Seminary in California (M.Div.), is married to Jessica, and they have three young children: Jonah, Lily and Ayla.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

“Promise Keeper”

Exodus 1:8-14 (ESV)

Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. [9] And he said to his people, “Behold, the people of Israel are too many and too mighty for us. [10] Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, lest they multiply, and, if war breaks out, they join our enemies and fight against us and escape from the land.” [11] Therefore they set taskmasters over them to afflict them with heavy burdens. They built for Pharaoh store cities, Pithom and Raamses. [12] But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and the more they spread abroad. And the Egyptians were in dread of the people of Israel. [13] So they ruthlessly made the people of Israel work as slaves [14] and made their lives bitter with hard service, in mortar and brick, and in all kinds of work in the field. In all their work they ruthlessly made them work as slaves.

Many years ago, I served in a high school youth group. Some students were very concerned about their grades and they could feel as if the presence or absence of God in their lives was as simple as whether they got an A or a C on their latest test. While this is sort of silly, we are also prone to let the circumstances of our lives dictate what we believe about God. If we are in a season of success, God is good and He loves us. If we are in a season of suffering, we wonder whether God is absent and if He may be angry.

During the time of Joseph, God’s people are honored and shown great favor in the land of Egypt. They flourish economically and numerically. They can clearly see how God is fulfilling His promise to Abraham to make of his offspring a great nation. Yet this time quickly comes to an end and there arises a new king who does not know Joseph. The Israelites are feared and then enslaved. God’s people had risen to the top of Egyptian society only to then plummet down to the very bottom.

Yet “the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and spread abroad.” In the midst of suffering and oppression, God’s people are being grown into the very nation He had promised they would be. While God’s people are confused, this is His chosen plan to set the people apart for Himself, to prepare them to go into the Promised Land, and to demonstrate His greatness. Thus their suffering does not occur because God is failing to keep His promises but because He is faithful to keep them!

Many times the challenges or suffering we face are God’s ordained means of fulfilling His promises in our lives. Jesus promises to cleanse and heal us, to set us free from bondage, to make us into His likeness, and to draw us near to Him. Even when we cannot understand how, He is sovereignly working all things to fulfill His promises to us and give us life and joy in Him.

Prayer: Father, thank You that You are always faithful in Your love for me. There are many things in my life that I do not understand, but I do know that You love me and are working all things for my good. I put my hope in You! Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Genesis 40

Lunch Break Study

Read Genesis 37:5–11 (ESV): Now Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers they hated him even more. [6] He said to them, “Hear this dream that I have dreamed: [7] Behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and behold, my sheaf arose and stood upright. And behold, your sheaves gathered around it and bowed down to my sheaf.” [8] His brothers said to him, “Are you indeed to reign over us? Or are you indeed to rule over us?” So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words. [9] Then he dreamed another dream and told it to his brothers and said, “Behold, I have dreamed another dream. Behold, the sun, the moon, and eleven stars were bowing down to me.” [10] But when he told it to his father and to his brothers, his father rebuked him and said to him, “What is this dream that you have dreamed? Shall I and your mother and your brothers indeed come to bow ourselves to the ground before you?” [11] And his brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the saying in mind.

Questions to Consider

What does God promise Joseph?
In this passage, what was the immediate fruit of Joseph’s dream?
Based on your knowledge of Genesis, what necessary events occur in Joseph’s life that lead to the fulfillment of God’s promises to him?

Notes

God promises Joseph that his brothers and even his parents would one day bow down to him.
Joseph’s brothers hated him even more than before and he was rebuked by his father.
In order to bring Joseph to a place of authority, he needed to be sold into slavery, falsely accused, thrown in jail, and forgotten in prison.

Evening Reflection

Reflect upon your day. Did you encounter any unexpected suffering or challenges? Bring these things before the Lord. Ask Him to draw near to you as the God of all comfort. Ask the Father to help you trust and walk in His sovereign plan for you.