July 23, Monday

The AMI QT Devotionals from July 23-29 are provided by Pastor Jason Sato of OTR in Cincinnati. 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 (nine months old).

Devotional Thoughts for Today

“The King of Kings”

Jeremiah 23:1–4 (ESV)

“Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture!” declares the LORD. [2] Therefore thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, concerning the shepherds who care for my people: “You have scattered my flock and have driven them away, and you have not attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for your evil deeds, declares the LORD. [3] Then I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them, and I will bring them back to their fold, and they shall be fruitful and multiply. [4] I will set shepherds over them who will care for them, and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall any be missing, declares the LORD.

Imagine that you are an ordinary Storm Trooper working on the Death Star. The day is going well but here comes Darth Vader and it appears that he’s having a bad day. Due to the terror in your heart, you accidentally trip and fall. Thankfully, he laughs instead of using the force to choke you to death. You realize this is not a healthy working environment but at this point you don’t have a lot of options.

Similar to this storm trooper, people of the ancient world did not have a lot of options when it came to who their leaders were. Kings were often chosen by lineage or by other kings with large military forces. Leaders ruled through fear and with absolute power. They were often more concerned with themselves than with the people they led.

But Israel is supposed to be different. Israel’s kings are to be shepherds of God’s people, caring for them and leading them into the blessing of God. Unfortunately, most of Israel’s kings are no better and sometimes even worse than the surrounding kings.

Thankfully, for God’s people, their human king is not at the top of the food chain. No, the kings of Israel are responsible to the King of Kings! As the Good Shepherd, God declares woe to leaders of God’s people who destroy and scatter the sheep. He will hold them accountable for their evil deeds, and He will gather His sheep from the nations to which they’d been scattered. Despite the wicked shepherds of Israel, the Lord will make His sheep fruitful and they “shall fear no more, nor be dismayed.”

In this imperfect world, our leaders may not always have the heart of the Father whether they be bosses, parents, or pastors. But we are free from the need to judge them because God alone is their Judge. We are free from the need to rebel against them because the Lord will provide for us. We are free from the need to fear or appease them because God is in control. We are free to fear God only and submit to our earthly authorities as He commands us because the Lord is our Shepherd.

Prayer: Father, thank You that You are my Shepherd! Forgive me that I am often tempted to take matters into my own hands. Give me faith to trust in You and submit to the leaders you have placed in my life. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Ezra 1

Lunch Break Study

Read Hebrews 13:17 (ESV): Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.

Questions to Consider

Why does God appoint spiritual leaders in our lives?
To whom are our leaders accountable?
When we resist our leaders or make it difficult for them to lead us, who suffers?

Notes

God appoints spiritual leaders to keep watch over our souls. He knows that we are often most blind to our own sins and we need others who can speak the Word of God into our lives.
Our leaders are accountable to God. Human leaders like politicians or CEOs are accountable to those whom they are leading, but spiritual leaders are not ultimately accountable to their flock but to God Himself. This is a far more serious thing.
When we resist our leaders, we suffer! God knows that our leaders are not perfect. He does not ask us to submit to our leaders because we trust them but ultimately because we trust Him to work for our good as we obey Him in faith.

Evening Reflection

Reflect on any interactions you’ve had today with a human leader or authority figure. Did your actions and thoughts reflect trust in the Lord? Ask Jesus to give you humility and wisdom so you can honor Him in these relationships.

July 22, Sunday

The AMI QT devotionals from July 16-22 are provided by Cami King. Cami, a graduate of University of Pennsylvania and Gordon Conwell Seminary (M.Div.), is currently serving as a staff at Journey Community Church in Raleigh.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

“Failure & Forbearance”

Jeremiah 22:20-23 (NET Bible)

People of Jerusalem, go up to Lebanon and cry out in mourning. Go to the land of Bashan and cry out loudly. Cry out in mourning from the mountains of Moab. For your allies have all been defeated. ²¹ While you were feeling secure I gave you warning. But you said, “I refuse to listen to you.” That is the way you have acted from your earliest history onward. Indeed, you have never paid attention to me. ²² My judgment will carry off all your leaders like a storm wind! Your allies will go into captivity. Then you will certainly be disgraced and put to shame because of all the wickedness you have done. ²³ You may feel as secure as a bird nesting in the cedars of Lebanon. But oh how you will groan when the pains of judgment come on you. They will be like those of a woman giving birth to a baby.

After a week of reading about judgement of God, it’s nice to end by remembering His forbearance. In v. 21 (and throughout the book of Jeremiah), God repeatedly warned the people of Israel to turn from their wicked ways, that they might avoid judgment. God, in His patience, exercised forbearance (self-control, restraint, tolerance) for a time, that the people might be saved. Yet they refused to listen.

In an article for Christianity Today, one writer reflects on the reality of failure and forbearance. R. O. Blechman is one of the most famous illustrators in the world. In his recent book, Dear James: Letters to a Young Illustrator, he shares a series of letters that he wrote to a younger fellow illustrator. In one of the most poignant letters, Blechman addresses the reality of failure:

“Preliminary drawings and sketches often are discouraging things, pale shadows of one’s bold intentions. Seemingly nonsense, they’re especially dispiriting for beginners … ‘Is that what I did,’ the novice might ask, ‘and I consider myself an artist?!’ … Speaking for myself (but also for other illustrators, I’m sure), my trash basket is full of false starts and failed drawings … There should be a Museum of Failed Art. It would exhibit all the terrible art that would have ended up in trash bins and garbage cans, lost and unknown to the public life.

“Surprisingly, the Bible contains a ‘Museum of Failed Discipleship.’ Over and over again, the Gospels record the ‘false starts’ and spiritual failures of the disciples. Thankfully, they also record Christ’s willingness to encourage and challenge his flawed disciples. We tend to cover up our heroes’ faults; and we’re even more likely to gloss over our colossal flops. Instead, the Gospels allow us to see the disciples’ failures—and most of those stories came from the disciples themselves. This honesty provides encouragement to us when we feel like saying, ‘Is that what I did, and I consider myself a Christian?’ Our security is in Christ who continues to love us even when we stumble and fail.”

Jesus Himself hand-picked twelve disciples, all of whom deserted him in His last hours. As far as we know, only John was even at the cross during Jesus’ final moments. All of them failed miserably, by running from Him, doubting Him, denying Him, over and over again. Yet I do find it comforting to know that God chooses to work through such broken people. One of my favorite passages in Scripture reminds us of this: But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; (2 Corinthians 4:7)

One thing we must remember is that our failures and missteps are a product of sin, a terrible debt whose redemption cost Jesus His life. May we never take His sacrifice lightly. But the resurrection assures us that there is life after failure, and freedom and power to live anew. May we also never take that for granted! Let’s honor God’s forbearance today by living fully for God’s Kingdom and His glory.

Prayer: Gracious God, thank you for your patience and forbearance with humankind as we fail time and time again to live up to your intentions at Creation. Help us to learn to love one another, and to bless the creation which You’ve entrusted to us. Thank You for the means by which I can do this, which is found in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, in whose name I pray. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Zephaniah 3

July 21, Saturday

Devotional Thoughts for Today

“Legacy – What Will You Leave Behind?”

Jeremiah 22:8-19 (NET Bible)

“‘People from other nations will pass by this city. They will ask one another, “Why has the Lord done such a thing to this great city?” 9 The answer will come back, “It is because they broke their covenant with the Lord their God and worshiped and served other gods.” 10 “‘Do not weep for the king who was killed. Do not grieve for him. But weep mournfully for the king who has gone into exile. For he will never return to see his native land again. 11 “‘For the Lord has spoken about Shallum son of Josiah, who succeeded his father as king of Judah but was carried off into exile. He has said, “He will never return to this land. 12 For he will die in the country where they took him as a captive. He will never see this land again.” 13 “‘Sure to be judged is the king who builds his palace using injustice and treats people unfairly while adding its upper rooms. He makes his countrymen work for him for nothing. He does not pay them for their labor. 14 He says, “I will build myself a large palace with spacious upper rooms.” He cuts windows in its walls, panels it with cedar, and paints its rooms red. 15 Does it make you any more of a king that you outstrip everyone else in building with cedar? Just think about your father. He was content that he had food and drink. He did what was just and right. So things went well with him. 16 He upheld the cause of the poor and needy. So things went well for Judah.’ The Lord says, ‘That is a good example of what it means to know me.’ 17 But you are always thinking and looking for ways to increase your wealth by dishonest means. Your eyes and your heart are set on killing some innocent person and committing fraud and oppression. 18 So the Lord has this to say about Josiah’s son, King Jehoiakim of Judah: People will not mourn for him, saying, “This makes me sad, my brother! This makes me sad, my sister!” They will not mourn for him, saying, “Poor, poor lord! Poor, poor majesty!” 19 He will be left unburied just like a dead donkey. His body will be dragged off and thrown outside the gates of Jerusalem.’”

Let’s talk about LEGACY. Merriam-Webster defines legacy as, “something transmitted by or received from an ancestor or predecessor or from the past.” We often employ this word to mean “memory” – how each of us will be remembered. Depending on our age and season of life, this may or may not be a question we’ve pondered extensively. But the older we get, and the closer we come to the end of any season, the more pressing the questions of what we will leave behind and how we will be remembered tends to matter to us.

In today’s passage, the legacy of these kings is abysmal to say the least. Instead of leaving behind a thriving nation that loves God, they left a destroyed city, the survivors of which are in exile. The former city will only be remembered as the site of the Lord’s judgment. Unlike their father, who was a king content with God’s provision, did what was right, cared for the poor and needy, and (as all this demonstrates) knew the Lord (vv.15-16), these kings are awful. They built large palaces for themselves by unjust means – not compensating their workers fairly (v.13) – more concerned about building large opulent buildings for themselves than about building the nation with which they’d been entrusted. They were concerned with accumulating wealth for themselves and did so dishonestly (v.17). They oppressed, defrauded, and even killed innocent people. And God wasn’t having it!

Although we are not in this kind of relationship with God (though I sometimes wish nations still were…), we stand to learn from the mistake made by these kings. So what kind of legacy will we leave behind? We are unlikely to leave a legacy of exploitation and murder (well, hopefully not), but what about one marked by greed, selfish ambition, a lack of care for the needy, or a failure to invest in God’s Kingdom? Furthermore, what kind of world will we leave for those coming after us?

Recently former President Barack Obama finally reemerged in the public sphere to give a lecture in South Africa on the legacy of the late Nelson Mandela in celebration of Mandela’s 100^th birthday. (I highly recommend the lecture and a closer look at Nelson Mandela’s life!) Mandela devoted his life to the fight for equality in South Africa and paid a high price in the process. His commitment to his people, his selfless determination to win justice for oppressed, his ability to forgive decades of imprisonment and horrendous treatment are all part of the legacy he left behind. The host of a satirical news talk show summed up my sentiments well, “Let’s just acknowledge how dope [awesome] you have to be for people to keep throwing you birthdays after you’re dead” (Trevor Noah). I hope I’ll be that “dope” – maybe not on a global stage, but certainly in the lives of those God entrusts to me along my journey. What about you? How “dope” will you be?

Prayer: Gracious God, help me today to reflect on my legacy. At the end of my current season and the end of my time on this earth, may I leave behind, if nothing else, a witness to Your Great Name. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Zephaniah 1-2

July 20, Friday

Devotional Thoughts for Today

“Guardians of Justice”

Jeremiah 22:1-5 (NET Bible)

The Lord told me, “Go down to the palace of the king of Judah. Give him a message from me there. 2 Say: ‘Listen, O king of Judah who follows in David’s succession. You, your officials, and your subjects who pass through the gates of this palace must listen to what the Lord says. 3 The Lord says, “Do what is just and right. Deliver those who have been robbed from those who oppress them. Do not exploit or mistreat foreigners who live in your land, children who have no fathers, or widows. Do not kill innocent people in this land. 4 If you are careful to obey these commands, then the kings who follow in David’s succession and ride in chariots or on horses will continue to come through the gates of this palace, as will their officials and their subjects. 5 But, if you do not obey these commands, I solemnly swear that this palace will become a pile of rubble. I, the Lord, affirm it!”

“The administration of justice was one of the main duties of kings all over the Near East. The king was the guardian of justice.” (Thompson)

Think about that for a moment—those in power are charged by God with the responsibility of guarding justice for all. We no longer have a monarchy with inherited leadership. We have the freedom (privilege and responsibility) to choose our leaders. And, if our hearts are aligned to the heart of God, justice toward the oppressed and vulnerable should be as high on our list of priorities for leaders as it is on God’s. Leadership comes in many forms, and whether it’s in our churches, companies, local or national governments, our leaders should be those whom we trust to faithfully serve as “Guardians of Justice.”

Furthermore, God offers a very specific list of people in need of special care as it relates to the administration of justice (v.3). This list is not arbitrary—it includes the most vulnerable and most likely to be exploited and denied justice.

(1) Those robbed by oppressors: This is not incidental stealing (e.g. someone steals your wallet), but systemic oppression where people (particularly laborers) are unfairly compensated and defrauded by those in power.

(2) Foreigners: Throughout the Scriptures God takes very seriously the way in which a nation cares for those who’ve come to them from other lands, peoples, and cultures.

(3) Those without protection and provision: In Jeremiah’s society, where men served as providers and protectors of the family (i.e. those with power), children without fathers and women without husbands were extremely vulnerable and therefore demanded special care.

With this specific list in mind, let’s revisit a question we considered yesterday. Who are the vulnerable in our world today (those who fit into the categories God gives us in the verses above)? And are we a people who take seriously the cause of justice for exploited laborers, immigrants, orphans, and vulnerable women and children? What would it look like to hold our leaders in various arenas accountable for their role as “Guardians of Justice”?

Prayer: Almighty God, open my eyes to see those in need of justice in my community and the society in which I live. Help me to not only personally exercise the justice You require, but to also wield my agency to demand that those in leadership to do the same. May Your Church be “guardians of justice” in the world. Forgive us for the ways we’ve fallen short. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Daniel 12

Lunch Break Study

Read Romans 13:1-10 (NRSV): Let every person be subject to the governing authorities; for there is no authority except from God, and those authorities that exist have been instituted by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists authority resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you wish to have no fear of the authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive its approval; 4 for it is God’s servant for your good. But if you do what is wrong, you should be afraid, for the authority does not bear the sword in vain! It is the servant of God to execute wrath on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore one must be subject, not only because of wrath but also because of conscience. 6 For the same reason you also pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, busy with this very thing. 7 Pay to all what is due them—taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due. 8 Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. 9 The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery; You shall not murder; You shall not steal; You shall not covet”; and any other commandment, are summed up in this word, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 10 Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law.

Questions to Consider

What are Paul’s instructions regarding the believer’s posture toward governing authorities? What do you think about what he says? How do these instructions affect how you understand the weight of responsibility we have in selecting or electing leadership in various arenas?
How do Paul’s words guide us when we are dealing with corrupt governing authorities (e.g. those who are “a terror to good conduct” or who refuse to approve what is good – v.3)? With the overall witness of Scripture (and God’s call for justice that we’ve discussed this week) in mind, what do you think should be your response/posture in those cases?
How does Paul end these instructions? Why is this important? Spend some time reflecting on vv.8-10—how would you summarize these instructions in your own words?

Notes

Paul suggests that believers should be subject to the laws of the land (and by extension those who govern/make the laws). He believes that God “institutes” authorities (via passive allowing or active willing, Paul does not specify). I do find that Scripture suggest that God affirms culture and societies (the space and place where peoples come together to do life and build community in the fullness of their unique histories and gifts)—included in which are the languages, cultural milieu, and, of course, government structures—because God affirms the integrity and agency of humans created in the image of God. // This is a sobering reality when we think about our responsibility in electing governing officials. Societies have a real and profound impact on the people within them (and around them), and we are to take that impact very seriously.

Consider one commentator’s reflections on this question. These reflections are, of course, not exhaustive (and admittedly moderate).
- “The problem, of course, is that rulers are sometimes, perhaps often, a cause of fear for those who do right. Government authorities sometimes abuse their powers for selfish ends. If they do not but serve the welfare of the people as they should, we have no fear of them and can submit to them fairly easily. What if they are evil?
- “The first way some people have interpreted this verse is to assume that Paul was speaking only of the norm. The normal situation would be a good government that punishes evil and rewards good. Obviously rebellion and revolution would be wrong in such a situation. However those actions might not be wrong if the state ceased to serve its God-given function and began denying the rights and removing the liberties of its citizens. Moderate advocates of this interpretation usually do not suggest that the church as an institution should lead a revolution. Most of them would say, however, that Christians as individuals could justifiably participate in a revolution against such a government. Christians should speak out against such abuses at least. We must be careful not to confuse submission with silence. Silence can express approval.
- “The second way of interpreting this verse is to take Paul’s words at face value and trust in the fact expressed in 8:28. The Christian who takes this view would not participate in a revolution though he might speak out against a government’s evils. He should prepare himself to accept the consequences of his actions. Such was the position of some pastors in Nazi Germany during World War II, for example, who went to prison not for revolting against the government but for speaking out against it. Another alternative might be to flee from the persecution of a hostile government (cf. Matt. 10:23). This is what the Huguenots, who fled from France to England, and the Puritans, who fled from England to America, did.” (Constable)

Jesus summed up the law in two moves: love God and love your neighbor. In the commentary on social/horizontal interactions (our relationships with one another as opposed to our relationship with God) in Romans 13, Paul summarizes the law very similarly—“love your neighbor as yourself.” In other words, every commandment given from God finds its origin and telos, it’s purpose and meaning, in God’s intent that we love our neighbor as ourselves. This is important because any interpretation or application of God’s commands that do not align with this central mandate (to love our neighbor) cannot be what God intended. Please see Luke 10:29-37 for help with understanding the term “neighbor” in the New Testament.

Evening Reflection

Twentieth century German pastor, Lutheran theologian, and anti-Nazi dissident Dietrich Bonhoeffer said:

“We are not to simply bandage the wounds of victims beneath the wheels of injustice, we are to drive a spoke into the wheel itself.”

Consider Bonhoeffer’s statement above. What do you think about his assertion? How do you think it aligns with the heart of God? How might God empower you to “drive a spoke into the wheel [of injustice]”? Spend some time considering these things with the Lord this evening.

July 19, Thursday

Devotional Thoughts for Today

“Justice for the Oppressed”

Jeremiah 21:11-14 (NRSV)

To the house of the king of Judah say: Hear the word of the Lord, 12 O house of David! Thus says the Lord: Execute justice in the morning, and deliver from the hand of the oppressor anyone who has been robbed, or else my wrath will go forth like fire, and burn, with no one to quench it,
because of your evil doings. 13 See, I am against you, O inhabitant of the valley, O rock of the plain, says the Lord; you who say, “Who can come down against us, or who can enter our places of refuge?” 14 I will punish you according to the fruit of your doings, says the Lord; I will kindle a fire in its forest, and it shall devour all that is around it.

One thing clear to me throughout the witness of Scripture is that God is very serious about JUSTICE. Oftentimes, when Christians think of God’s justice, we think of it in terms of our transgressions against God. We sin against God and God’s justice requires that we atone for our sin– atonement that Jesus completed on our behalf so that we can be reconciled to God (hallelujah!). Scriptures certainly speak of justice in this way. But more often than not, the Bible speaks of justice as it relates to our dealings with one another. We do sin against God, yes, but just as both arms of the Great Commandment (to love God & love neighbor) serve as two sides of the same coin, our sins against God are linked to our sins against each other.

I often wonder if the Church is as concerned about justice as God is and in the way God is. Does what grieves God’s heart – a burden for the poor, vulnerable, exploited (v.12) – grieve our hearts as well? It’s easy to be hung up on our own personal holiness before God (which is certainly important), but the God of the Old Testament and Jesus in the Gospels more often condemned the people of Israel for a lack of justice, and a failure to deal ethically (and in love) with one another, than for a lack of personal piety.

Furthermore, God’s focus in today’s passage is on national leadership (we’ll return to this in Jer. 22). Not only are we called to justice, but our leaders are as well. Finally, this passage ends with a warning: the apparent might of the nation would not protect them from God’s judgement for their failure to do what was right – to do justice.

How important is justice to you? Do our actions toward others matter as much to you as personal holiness? Look around you today. Who are the weak, vulnerable, and oppressed in our society today? What would justice look like for them?

Prayer: Sovereign Lord, You are a God of justice, and You call Your people to be people of justice. Teach me what it means to leverage the privilege You have granted me, toward the goal of fairness for the weak, oppressed, and vulnerable around me. Break my heart for the things that break Your heart. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Daniel 11

Lunch Break Study

Read Matthew 23:23-24 (NRSV): “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint, dill, and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. It is these you ought to have practiced without neglecting the others. ²⁴ You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel!

Questions to Consider

Who were the scribes and Pharisees? Why is this important?
What was Jesus’ indictment against them?
What are some ways that the Church today might fall into the same hypocrisy of the scribes and Pharisees? Are there ways you might stumble as well in your life?

Notes

The scribes were experts in the law and the Pharisees were a Jewish sect who strictly observed the law to the letter. Together, they knew and purportedly sought to practice the law best among the people of God. // They were leaders of God’s people and they were leading them astray!
Jesus indicted them for not only failing to understand the teachings of God but for misrepresenting them as well. They were hypocrites – the beliefs and standards they claimed did not match their behavior – and what’s worse they were guiding others to do likewise. They got hung up on details of religious rituals (which Jesus says are good), to the complete neglect of what was really important (justice and mercy and faith).
- “It is usually the case that legalists are sticklers for details, but blind to great principles. This crowd thought nothing of condemning an innocent man, yet they were afraid to enter Pilate’s judgment hall lest they be defiled (John 18:28).” (Wiersbe)
- SPECIAL NOTE (for background information on the laws to which Jesus referred): “The Mosaic Law required the Israelites to tithe grain, wine, and oil (Deut. 14:22-29). How far they had to take this was a matter of debate. Jesus did not discourage scrupulous observance of this law. He directed His condemnation to the leaders’ failure to observe more important “weightier” commands in the Law while dickering over which specific plants, spices, and seeds to tithe. He went back to Micah 6:8 for the three primary duties that God requires [justice, mercy, faith].” (Constable)

Personal Response.

Evening Reflection

When rebuking the scribes and Pharisees in Matthew 23, Jesus referred to what is written in Micah 6:8 which states:

He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

Spend some time reflecting on God’s call for us to do justice in the world. Meditate on the passage above from Micah 6:8. What would it look like for you to do justice in your present context? What would it look like for the church to live out God’s call for justice throughout the world?

July 18, Wednesday

Devotional Thoughts for Today

“Which Will You Choose?”

Jeremiah 21:8-10 (NRSV)

And to this people you shall say: Thus says the Lord: See, I am setting before you the way of life and the way of death. 9 Those who stay in this city shall die by the sword, by famine, and by pestilence; but those who go out and surrender to the Chaldeans who are besieging you shall live and shall have their lives as a prize of war. 10 For I have set my face against this city for evil and not for good, says the Lord: it shall be given into the hands of the king of Babylon, and he shall burn it with fire.

A famous poem in American literature (popular internationally as well) is Robert Frost’s “The Road Not Taken” which famously ends: “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.”

I do not purport to fully understand this poem and am skeptical that masses of people do either, since poetry tends to be fairly obscure and subject to wide interpretation (obviously not my favorite literary genre). But I imagine what speaks to so many from this piece is the familiar experience of being at a crossroad where we must make a choice.

In our passage this morning, the people of God have a difficult choice before them. They can choose the way of life—which at first glance actually seems to be the way of death (surrendering to a conquering enemy)—or choose the way of death (staying and fighting for their lives). The Lord essentially says to them, “Yield to me (by surrendering yourselves to the enemy) and you will live. Or, continue to take your life into your own hands (fight) and you will be destroyed.”

Many years later God, in the person of Jesus, would say something similar: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it” (Mark 8:34b-35). Although the situation facing Jesus’ disciples in Mark (and us today) is quite different from that facing God’s people in Jeremiah, who were being punished for their rebellion, the principle Jesus offers is the same: surrendering to the Lord, yielding our life to God, and trusting in Jesus is the only way to life. And oftentimes on this side of heaven, that surrender will appear deadly (no one thought life could come through a cross or glory through humiliation before Christ).

No matter what circumstances we face, we can be sure that there is only one way to life: trust and hope in God. And no matter how competent we feel and how tempting it is to rely on our ourselves or other things, any other way will ultimately lead to death. What will you choose today?

Prayer: Almighty God, You have proven again and again that You are worthy of my trust. You are powerful and holy and know better than I. And You have demonstrated Your unfailing love for me. Help me to fully depend on You today so that I may live. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Daniel 10

Lunch Break Study

Read Romans 8:1-13 (NET Bible): There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the life-giving Spirit in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death. 3 For God achieved what the law could not do because it was weakened through the flesh. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and concerning sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 so that the righteous requirement of the law may be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who live according to the flesh have their outlook shaped by the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit have their outlook shaped by the things of the Spirit. 6 For the outlook of the flesh is death, but the outlook of the Spirit is life and peace, 7 because the outlook of the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to the law of God, nor is it able to do so. 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, this person does not belong to him. 10 But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is your life because of righteousness. 11 Moreover if the Spirit of the one who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, the one who raised Christ from the dead will also make your mortal bodies alive through his Spirit who lives in you. 12 So then, brothers and sisters, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh 13 (for if you live according to the flesh, you will die), but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body you will live.

Questions to Consider

What do we learn from vv.1-4 about the difference between living “according to the flesh” and “living according to the Spirit”?
How does Paul (the writer of Romans) describe life according to the flesh? What is the end result of this way of life?
How does Paul describe life according to the Spirit? What would it mean for you to choose this way of life today?

Notes

Living by the flesh means relying on our own ability to do what is right and be in right relationship with God (or be “a good person” as we often say today), instead of relying on Jesus to make us right before God and teach us how to be good. Living according to the flesh means independence, autonomy, and individualism, while living according to the Spirit means complete dependence on God and identification with Christ and the people of God.
Outlook or worldview shaped by things of the flesh (the world and everything in it). Hostility to God, refusal and inability to submit to the ways of God, inability to please God. // The end result is death—both eternally (for those who refuse to receive Jesus as Savior) and in various areas of this present life (even for believers who insist on living according to the flesh).
Outlook and worldview shaped by the things of the Spirit (the wisdom and ways of God). The end result is life and peace. // Personal response.

Evening Reflection

There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death. (Proverbs 14:12)

Spend some time this evening reflecting on the proverb above. Are there things in your life keeping you from complete surrender and full dependence on God? Offer those things to the Lord and ask for wisdom to see as God sees and courage to do as Jesus would do.

July 17, Tuesday

Devotional Thoughts for Today

“Is God Punishing Me?”

Jeremiah 21:3-7 (NRSV)

Then Jeremiah said to them: 4 Thus you shall say to Zedekiah: Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: I am going to turn back the weapons of war that are in your hands and with which you are fighting against the king of Babylon and against the Chaldeans who are besieging you outside the walls; and I will bring them together into the center of this city. 5 I myself will fight against you with outstretched hand and mighty arm, in anger, in fury, and in great wrath. 6 And I will strike down the inhabitants of this city, both human beings and animals; they shall die of a great pestilence. 7 Afterward, says the Lord, I will give King Zedekiah of Judah, and his servants, and the people in this city—those who survive the pestilence, sword, and famine—into the hands of King Nebuchadrezzar of Babylon, into the hands of their enemies, into the hands of those who seek their lives. He shall strike them down with the edge of the sword; he shall not pity them, or spare them, or have compassion.

As has been fairly consistent throughout this book, the people of God are in trouble (to say the least). They failed to uphold their end of their covenant (promise/contract) with God. Like disobedient children to a parent or defiant subjects to a good king, the people rebelled and went their own way. As a result, instead of enjoying covenant blessings (what God promised to do for them) of protection and prosperity, they faced covenant curses (how God promised to punish them). The Babylonians were coming, and it wouldn’t be pretty. One commentator keenly noted: “The Lord promised that not only the Babylonians but He, too, would fight against the city. He would bring His strong arm against Jerusalem in anger and would strike down its inhabitants. Normally the Divine Warrior fought for His people, but now He would fight against them.” (Constable)

So, they not only faced the full brunt of the Babylonian army—and the Babylonians were ruthless—without the protection of God (covenant blessing), they were doing so with God’s own hand against them (covenant curse). Yikes!

God outlined clearly what was required for relationship with God and the people agreed. But they fell short (sometimes it seems to me like they weren’t even trying!). Yet many years later, God would come in the person of Jesus and fulfill those requirements on their behalf. In fact, He’d do so on behalf of the whole world! Jesus took upon Himself the full brunt of the curse, so that the people of God would never find themselves in a situation such as we read in today’s passage.

There are many reasons why things go wrong in our lives—oftentimes we’re experiencing the natural outworking of the sinful choices we made or that others have made against us. And unfortunately that’s just life—Scripture tells us God is making all things new, but they aren’t new just yet (the world is still a hot mess!). But one thing we know for sure is this: as those who’ve placed ourselves in Christ, none of the calamity we face is ever God punishing us. Never! Praise be to God that, because of Jesus, God never fights against—only for us, working all things for good.

Prayer: Almighty God, I acknowledge Your holiness and the righteousness You require, Your power and Your condemnation of sin. And today I thank You for Jesus, who took the full weight of condemnation for my sin so there is none left for me. There is therefore now no condemnation for me because I am in Christ Jesus! May that truth be the lens through which I interpret whatever I am facing. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Daniel 9

Lunch Break Study

Read Luke 10:25-37 (NRSV): Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he said, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 He said to him, “What is written in the law? What do you read there?” 27 He answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” 28 And he said to him, “You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.”

29 But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 30 Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii,[k] gave them to the innkeeper, and said, ‘Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.’ 36 Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?” 37 He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”

Questions to Consider

What does the lawyer ask Jesus and how does Jesus respond?
Oftentimes, we focus on the lawyer “testing” Jesus as where he errs in this passage. But, if we set that aside, where does the lawyer go wrong in this text as it relates to his quest for eternal life? (Look closely at these key verses: 25b & 29a)
What would have been the natural response of the lawyer to Jesus’ story and teaching in vv. 30-37? How might this exchange have eventually led the lawyer to eternal life?
What are the ways you fall short of the “Great Commandment” (v. 27) in your daily life? How does the gospel both free you from the weight of the “Great Commandment” and empower you to live it out?

Notes

The lawyer asks Jesus what he needs to do to inherit eternal life. He wants to know what is required to be in right relationship with God and living abundantly eternally. // Jesus answers with a question – What does the law say? In this response, Jesus is basically saying, “What do you know?” or “You already know what’s required.” The same is often true for us. Like the people of God in our passage this morning, we often know what to do but fail to do it (because we are rebellious or because we literally can’t—the righteous requirement is too high and we are broken and sinful).
A little close reading reveals that the lawyer is relying on his own works and ability to inherit eternal life. He asks, “what must I do…” (when he really should have asked, “What can be done for me?”). And he was “seeking to justify himself” (when he should have been seeking justification for himself). Once we realize how wretched we are and how far short we fall of the glory of God, only then can we, to paraphrase one of my favorite preachers, leave a contract of earning and enter a relationship of receiving (God’s free gift of grace).
There are a ton of ways the lawyer could have responded. He was likely offended by the juxtaposition of the actions of religious leaders to those of a Samaritan, a people group Jews despised at that time. But if he stayed focused on his quest for eternal life, a natural response would have been something akin to – “That’s impossible!” If a neighbor is anyone in our path, who can effectively keep the command?! And that’s the point! // That realization was what the lawyer needed to inherit eternal life—realizing he couldn’t do it. He needed a Savior.
Personal reflection.

Evening Reflection

Freedom from condemnation doesn’t mean we never feel guilty when we do wrong. I like to think of guilt like our nervous system—if our hand is on a hot stove, our body naturally alerts us to the danger (It hurts!) and triggers a change in our course of action (Move that hand!). Otherwise, we’d lose our hand. Similarly, feelings of guilt (and the sorrow that accompanies them) are natural and good, alerting us to danger and triggering a change. But as people not condemned, we aren’t immobilized under the weight of guilt! We can turn to Jesus, thankful for the alert, receive forgiveness through the cross and empowerment through the Spirit to change course.

For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation and brings no regret, but worldly grief produces death. (2 Corinthians 7:10)

How do you respond to guilt? Do you allow it to propel you to repentance (and change your course of action) and salvation (from death that accompanies sin) and freedom from regret? Or do you respond as a person condemned—allowing it to suffocate you under the weight of your brokenness or even ignoring it because it’s just too much to sort out (and no one’s perfect, right)? Spend some time reflecting on these things with God. Ask the Lord to help you have a proper posture toward feelings of guilt. Ask God to help you respond appropriately to any guilt you are feeling today.

July 16, Monday

Devotional Thoughts for Today

“Pray Because We Can!”

Jeremiah 21:1-2 (NRSV)

This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord, when King Zedekiah sent to him Pashhur son of Malchiah and the priest Zephaniah son of Maaseiah, saying,²“Please inquire of the Lord on our behalf, for King Nebuchadrezzar of Babylon is making war against us; perhaps the Lord will perform a wonderful deed for us, as he has often done, and will make him withdraw from us.”

Many of us have heard stories like this one: “A mother at our mission station died after giving birth to a premature baby. We tried to improvise an incubator to keep the infant alive, but the only hot water bottle we had was beyond repair. So we asked the children to pray for the baby and for her sister. One of the girls responded. ‘Dear God, please send a hot water bottle today. Tomorrow will be too late because by then the baby will be dead. And dear Lord, send a doll for the sister so she won’t feel so lonely.’ That afternoon a large package arrived from England. The children watched eagerly as we opened it. Much to their surprise, under some clothing was a hot water bottle! Immediately the girl who had prayed so earnestly started to dig deeper, exclaiming, ‘If God sent that, I’m sure He also sent a doll!’ And she was right! The heavenly Father knew in advance of that child’s sincere requests, and 5 months earlier He had led a ladies’ group to include both of those specific articles.” (Dr. Helen Roseveare, mid-twentieth century missionary to the Congo)

Most of our stories of blessed times in prayer come in moments of desperation. This is likely because it’s easier to pray when we face situations which are so impossible that only a miracle can bring us through. But our passage for today reminds me of a lesson God taught me some years ago. In the Old Testament, when people needed to seek a word from the Lord they had to go to a priest or prophet who served as a mediator between them and God. In our passage for today, King Zedekiah went to Jeremiah (a prophet from the priestly line) so that Jeremiah might inquire of the Lord on behalf of the King.

Some years ago as I prepared sermons on prayer, I sought the Scriptures for the reasons they give us to pray. I found many reasons, but my favorite is this: BECAUSE WE CAN! After the death and resurrection of Jesus, the people of God no longer needed to seek God through a mediator. As believers we have access directly to the throne of God whenever we call on God and we can trust that God not only hears, but through the Holy Spirit, that God also responds. I like to imagine how utterly mind-boggling this truth was for believers in the early church who had never had this kind of access to the presence of God before.

We have precious access to God when we pray. May we not take it for granted today.

Prayer: Gracious God, thank You that You hear me when I pray to You. Thank You Jesus that I have unrestricted access because of what You did for me on the cross. Thank You Holy Spirit for dwelling with me and allowing me to hear from the heart of God every day. Lord, forgive for any times I have taken this access for granted. May I enjoy today the rich blessings that come from intimate communication with You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Daniel 8

Lunch Break Study

Read Hebrews 4:14-16 (NRSV): Since, then, we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested[d] as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Question to Consider

What are the two commands/exhortations given in this passage?
What are the reasons we’re able to follow these commands/exhortations?
Verse 16 tells us that the end result of the believers holding fast to their confession and boldly approaching the throne of grace is so that they may receive mercy and find grace in times of need. How does this encourage you today? What are the specific areas in your life that make you more aware of your need for grace and mercy?

Notes

“Hold fast to our confession” (v.14)—the writer of Hebrews encourages believers to persevere in their profession of faith and confidence in Christ. “Approach the throne of grace with boldness” (v. 16)—come before God boldly in prayer.
We have Jesus as our high priest—One who goes before God on our behalf and intercedes (talks to God for us). Furthermore, the One who intercedes for us is both sympathetic—He sympathizes with us in our areas of weaknesses, and holy/blameless – He was tested yet did not sin.
Personal response.

Evening Reflection

Rend Collective, a contemporary Christian worship band, wrote the song “Boldly I Approach” with Hebrews 4:16 in mind. Spend some time listening to their song of worship this evening. As you do, reflect on the great gift we have in Jesus as our high priest and the freedom He grants us to boldly approach God in prayer (Rend Collective – Boldly I approach). Spend some time praying to God about the specific areas in your life where you need grace and mercy today.

July 15, Sunday

Today’s AMI QT Devotional is provided by Tina Hsu. Tina, a graduate of Biola University and Talbot School of Theology (M.Div.), currently serves as a staff at the Church of Southland, Anaheim, California.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

“Being a Servant Whom My Master Trusts”

John 10:40-42

And He went away again beyond the Jordan to the place where John was first baptizing, and He was staying there. 41 Many came to Him and were saying, “While John performed no sign, yet everything John said about this man was true.” 42 Many believed in Him there.

During a four-month hiatus between the mission field and stepping into my current job, I didn’t have any concrete plans for what I would do after my time-off. A close friend wrote to me, saying, “I can’t wait for what God has in store for you. I think He trusts you so much.” I was overwhelmed with this encouragement—even though I didn’t deserve such a comment. But her words led me to ponder about the nature of trust in my relationship to Jesus. I always knew following Jesus involved me trusting Jesus, while Jesus leads; however, I never interacted with the possibility of Jesus trusting me. Why would Jesus trust me? It’s not like He needs to rely on me or count on me. I thought trust is one-way, from me to Him, since all the power and strength is in Him anyways. In diving more into this perspective, I realized that our relationship with Jesus is not only a love relationship between the Redeemer and the redeemed, but it is indeed also a trust relationship between Master and servant, as many of Jesus’ teachings, such as the parable of the talents (Mt. 25:14-30), teach so clearly.

In this morning’s passage, Jesus leaves Jerusalem, as more religious teachers were questioning His authority and angered by His teachings; yet many outside of Jerusalem were placing their belief in Him. The passage testifies that John the Baptist was integral in leading these people to Christ. Though they didn’t believe in Jesus immediately after listening to John’s witness, but eventually, they realized “everything John said about this man was true.” John the Baptist never performed a miracle. He was simply a voice that talked about the Light, and he was content to be a voice, without a ministry of signs and wonders, as long as it caused people to consider Christ. Jesus says about John, “Among those born of women, there is no one greater” (Luke 7:28). Jesus must have trusted John so much, for he completed the work that God entrusted to him—nothing more, and nothing less. In being trustworthy to his Master, he led people to know Christ for themselves. This morning, as we long to deepen our trust in Jesus, let us consider also how we can live a life as trustworthy servants.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for loving me unconditionally and also entrusting Your precious work to me. Give me understanding for how to steward my time, resources, and energy, so that I may use all that I have to Your service. Help me to consider how to be a trustworthy servant for You today. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Daniel 7

July 14, Saturday

Devotional Thoughts for Today

“The Tension Within”

Jeremiah 20:14-18 Cursed be the day when I was born; let the day not be blessed when my mother bore me! 15 Cursed be the man who brought the news, To my father, saying, “A baby boy has been born to you!” And made him very happy. 16 But let that man be like the cities, which the Lord overthrew without relenting, And let him hear an outcry in the morning and a shout of alarm at noon; 17 Because he did not kill me before birth, so that my mother would have been my grave, and her womb ever pregnant. 18 Why did I ever come forth from the womb to look on trouble and sorrow, so that my days have been spent in shame?

Jeremiah 1:4-5 Now the word of the Lord came to me saying, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, And before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations.”

When I was in elementary school, I was signed up to try various sports, including badminton. After my first lesson, I wanted to quit because when I tried to hit the birdie coming towards me, it flew straight towards my forehead and got stuck in my hair. Being of low-esteem, I felt an incredible sense of humiliation in front of the people I was playing with, since they didn’t seem to have any trouble with the sport. I often wanted to quit sports and I would end up quitting very easily when I felt like it was a little bit hard.

In contrast, Jeremiah never quit even though his complaint in this passage sounds like he wanted to just walk away from his calling. But, his confession and complaint come from a heart that was wrestling with the tension of his calling as God’s prophet to the nations. He may have been close to quitting, but he never actually quit. He could’ve excused himself from serving in this office when the distress became overwhelming. He faced opposition and loneliness and felt sorrow over Judah’s unwillingness to return to God. Nevertheless, he remained in his place because he knew that he was set apart since birth for this purpose. Even though “cursing” the day of his birth is a strong statement, I think only someone who is so committed to God’s call would wrestle and cry out to God like this. If he didn’t regard himself as God’s chosen instrument and respected it as a holy call, he wouldn’t have wrestled to this point. I admire how he faced the cost of obedience and poured out his honest and unfiltered anguish to the Lord. In a way, it was the closest way to surrender himself to God again and to be fully committed and hidden in Him.

2 Chronicles 16:9 says, “The eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.” God desires to strengthen us when we are serving Him while feeling completely helpless and weak.

This morning ask, the Lord to strengthen you and to reveal to you what He is fulfilling in you through the various situations and roles He has called you into.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that you rejoice over the day of my birth. Not only did You set Your heart to love me, but You also appointed me to fulfill a unique purpose in my life ever since I was in my mother’s womb. Because true obedience comes with discomforts and costs, I pray that You would strengthen me to persevere and to abide daily in You. Help me to glorify You with my life. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Daniel 5-6