July 28, Saturday

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

“While There is Time”

Jeremiah 24:8–10 (ESV)

But thus says the LORD: “Like the bad figs that are so bad they cannot be eaten, so will I treat Zedekiah the king of Judah, his officials, the remnant of Jerusalem who remain in this land, and those who dwell in the land of Egypt. [9] I will make them a horror to all the kingdoms of the earth, to be a reproach, a byword, a taunt, and a curse in all the places where I shall drive them. [10] And I will send sword, famine, and pestilence upon them, until they shall be utterly destroyed from the land that I gave to them and their fathers.”

In our passage this morning, Jeremiah continues to explain the vision of the basket of figs: The good figs are the people who are sent into exile by Babylon. The bad figs are the people who are allowed to remain in the Promised Land, albeit under the rule of the Babylonians. While the exiles go through a harsher experience initially, they are actually the ones favored by God. Those who remain in the land are tempted to believe that they are more righteous than those who are exiled, and that they can continue on in their way of life.

From high school into the first couple years of college, I managed to get by without doing much work. I slept through lectures, exchanged homework assignments with friends, and crammed before tests. I thought this was a viable way of approaching life. Thankfully, I received a wake-up call in my junior year. With harder coursework, these study habits produced failing grades. While I stubbornly clung to my failing system as long as I could, eventually, I made the necessary changes and finally learned to work hard.

In the moment, I certainly wished that my lackluster effort would be enough. But what if I managed to get through college without ever learning to work hard? Eventually, it would catch up to me and instead of failing classes, I would be getting fired from jobs and the consequences would become more and more serious with time.

The Israelites who remain in Jerusalem or flee to Egypt do not appreciate the seriousness of their situation. They assume that the worst is over, and since they’ve survived thus far, they don’t need to make any major changes in their lives. Rather than being thankful for undeservedly being able to stay in the Promised Land and accepting God’s judgment humbly, they cling to a false sense of assurance and harden their hearts to God and His prophet, Jeremiah.

Sadly, the greater judgment is still to come and the people are less and less likely to be ready for the Day of the Lord.

Prayer: Father, thank You that You often do not give me what I deserve. May I not mistake grace for deserved favor. May I not be foolish enough to linger in sin but repent and turn now while there is still time. Thank You that You are faithful to forgive and bind up the brokenhearted. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Ezra 6-7

July 27, Friday

Devotional Thoughts for Today

“Discipline is Not Rejection”

Jeremiah 24:1–7 (ESV)

After Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had taken into exile from Jerusalem Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, together with the officials of Judah, the craftsmen, and the metal workers, and had brought them to Babylon, the LORD showed me this vision: behold, two baskets of figs placed before the temple of the LORD. [2] One basket had very good figs, like first-ripe figs, but the other basket had very bad figs, so bad that they could not be eaten. [3] And the LORD said to me, “What do you see, Jeremiah?” I said, “Figs, the good figs very good, and the bad figs very bad, so bad that they cannot be eaten.” [4] Then the word of the LORD came to me: [5] “Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: Like these good figs, so I will regard as good the exiles from Judah, whom I have sent away from this place to the land of the Chaldeans. [6] I will set my eyes on them for good, and I will bring them back to this land. I will build them up, and not tear them down; I will plant them, and not pluck them up. [7] I will give them a heart to know that I am the LORD, and they shall be my people and I will be their God, for they shall return to me with their whole heart.

Oftentimes after I discipline one of my children they want to be close to me. I imagine they want to know that I still love them. And love is truly what biblical discipline is about. We struggle to understand this, but discipline is not the same as rejection.

After generations of unfaithfulness, God sends Judah into exile at the hands of Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon. The Lord shows Jeremiah a vision of a basket of figs. Some were very good figs and others were very bad figs. Surprisingly, the good figs are those who are sent out of the Promised Land into exile.

While God is angry with their sin and there is an element of judgment, the Lord has not rejected His people. He is disciplining them for their good. In exile, God’s people are forced to face the ugliness of their sin and are given the opportunity to repent and turn back to God. If the people had not faced God’s judgment, they would more readily rest easy in their sins, and their hearts would grow steadily harder. But God’s desire is that His people turn back before the final Day of Judgment comes and it’s too late for them to do so.

When I was a teenager, I was in a self-inflicted downward spiral and my parents were often frustrated with me. In the midst of a lecture, my dad said, “You’re lucky we haven’t given up on you!” More so now, but even then I knew that this was true. It would have been easier for my parents to leave me alone and let me do whatever I wanted, but they kept loving me the best way they knew how.

In every hardship, God is exposing what is really inside our hearts. He does not do this because He enjoys watching us squirm, but because He intends to minister to us, set us free, and give us a heart to know Him if we will let Him. The Father is not content to let us slip away from Him without a fight.

Prayer: Father, thank You that You desire to show me mercy! Open my eyes that I might see my need and draw near to You. May I know that discipline is not rejection, and that in all things You are calling me back to You. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Ezra 5

Lunch Break Study

Read Hebrews 12:5–11 (ESV): And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. [6] For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” [7] It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? [8] If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. [9] Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? [10] For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. [11] For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

Questions to Consider

In this passage, what is the mark of a child of God?
What is the heart of God in the midst of discipline?
What is meant to be the fruit of God’s discipline?

Notes

Being disciplined is the mark of truly being a child of God. Only illegitimate children are not disciplined.
God does not discipline us because He is fed up with us. Rather, He disciplines us because of His great love for us.
God’s discipline is meant to produce holiness and the peaceful fruit of righteousness.

Evening Reflection

Reflect on your day. What moments of discipline occurred? Were you able to respond in repentance and faith? If so, thank God for this outpouring of grace. If not, take a moment to repent and seek God’s face now and thank Him that grace is available to you still.

July 26, Thursday

Devotional Thoughts for Today

“Speak the Word”

Jeremiah 23:16-17, 28-32 (ESV)

Thus says the LORD of hosts: “Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you, filling you with vain hopes. They speak visions of their own minds, not from the mouth of the LORD. [17] They say continually to those who despise the word of the LORD, ‘It shall be well with you’; and to everyone who stubbornly follows his own heart, they say, ‘No disaster shall come upon you.’” [28] Let the prophet who has a dream tell the dream, but let him who has my word speak my word faithfully. What has straw in common with wheat? declares the LORD. [29] Is not my word like fire, declares the LORD, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces? [30] Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, declares the LORD, who steal my words from one another. [31] Behold, I am against the prophets, declares the LORD, who use their tongues and declare, ‘declares the LORD.’ [32] Behold, I am against those who prophesy lying dreams, declares the LORD, and who tell them and lead my people astray by their lies and their recklessness, when I did not send them or charge them. So they do not profit this people at all, declares the LORD.

Let’s say a well-meaning friend tells you that the latest health craze involves drinking bleach. They have read many blogs and heard many testimonials regarding the health benefits of bleach. This friend loves you and is completely sincere. Their heart is “in the right place,” but their advice will kill you.

In the days of Jeremiah, there are many well-meaning prophets who are sharing their dreams and their words from the Lord. They are declaring God’s love and salvation, but they have not been sent by the Lord. Though their message sounds right, they are not declaring God’s Word but their own imaginations.

These prophets, condemned by the Lord, appear to be compassionate, but they are leading God’s people toward death and destruction. They declare peace and blessing on a people who despise God’s Word and follow their own hearts. These words can only harden the people’s hearts and prevent them from repenting and receiving forgiveness and life.

We, too, can speak well-meaning, soothing words that mislead people into thinking God’s love allows them to remain in their sin. A world destined for judgment needs more than a Christianized version of worldly wisdom. With eternal life and death in the balance, we must declare something different than what a nonbeliever might share or agree with.

The ugliness of sin and the wrath of God are not polite topics of conversation, but love compels us to speak with the heart of God and plead that as many as possible would turn from their rebellion and be saved.

May God grant us compassion, courage, and opportunity to speak the full gospel of Jesus Christ.

Prayer: Father, I thank You that You tell us the truth that we might be saved and given eternal life in Your Son. Forgive me that I am often tempted to speak spiritual sounding lies to myself and to others. Thank You that when we hear the truth and turn to You, You are faithful to pour out Your grace. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Ezra 4

Lunch Break Study

Read Acts 3:14–15, 19-20 (ESV): But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, [15] and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses… [19] Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, [20] that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord…

Questions to Consider

What does Peter claim his hearers have done?
What response does Peter aim for in his preaching?
What is the fruit of such a response?

Notes

They have denied God and killed Him.
Peter hopes to lead his hearers into repentance, that they might turn from their sins.
If the people repent, God will blot out their sins and bring times of refreshing! Peter does not intend to guilt or curse the people but to bring God’s blessing to them.

Evening Reflection

Reflect upon your day. Was there a moment when God gave you courage to speak the truth about Him? Was there a moment you were tempted to avoid or downplay the truth of God’s Word? If necessary, confess your fear of man and receive the forgiveness and refreshment of God. Ask for compassion and faith to declare the gospel when God opens doors for you to do so.

July 25, Wednesday

Devotional Thoughts for Today

“The Defining Moment”

Jeremiah 23:7-8 (ESV)

“Therefore, behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when they shall no longer say, ‘As the LORD lives who brought up the people of Israel out of the land of Egypt,’ [8] but ‘As the LORD lives who brought up and led the offspring of the house of Israel out of the north country and out of all the countries where he had driven them.’ Then they shall dwell in their own land.”

For everyone, there are defining moments in our lives that are essential to who we are. For Spider-Man, being bitten by a radioactive spider was a defining moment. For Queen Elsa, realizing the power of love was a defining moment. For the nation of Israel, the Exodus from Egypt was a defining moment.

The Exodus is the moment when they were freed from generations of slavery. This is when they become God’s people and His holy nation. At every Passover each year, Israel remembers, first, God sparing His people from the angel of death, second, Pharaoh finally releasing them, and third, marching through the Red Sea to freedom. Israel remembers the Lord as the one who “brought up the people of Israel out of the land of Egypt.”

But here, the Lord says they will no longer know Him as the God who brought them up out of Egypt, but as the God who gathered His people from the nations to which He had scattered them.

For the Israelites, the exile is the greatest tragedy possible. Their sins have been exposed. They have been judged by the Lord. They find that they are more sinful than they ever imagined. They may wonder if they are still God’s people at all. And what they find is that God is far more gracious and compassionate than they ever imagined.

For Christians, receiving Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior for the first time is a defining moment. We have been brought from death to life. We are a new creation. We have gone from being children of the devil to children of God. This is incredible, but it is not the only defining moment in a Christian’s life.

After we become Christians, we are not perfect, not even close. In some ways, we are worse. How so? For though we know that Jesus gave His life to save us from sin and death, we still find ourselves betraying Him and pursuing sin nonetheless. If we allow the Spirit to speak to us we find that our love for Jesus turns out to be far more fragile and self-serving than we could ever imagine; but with this realization comes the truth that the unconditional love of the Father for us is far deeper and more faithful than we could ever ask.

Prayer: Father, thank You that You love me after all these years. You have proven Your love time and time again, yet I still doubt and am so easily led astray. Thank You that You are patient and kind, and You continue to walk with me.

Bible Reading for Today: Ezra 3

Correction and apology: A reader notified that the Bible reading abruptly changed from Hosea (July 21: Hosea 1-2: July 22: Hosea 3) to Ezra. That is a mistake. Sorry. The Bible reading for July 21 should have been Zephaniah 1-2 and for July 22, Zephaniah 3. The corrections have been made. So, if you are following the AMI QT reading plan, please read the book of Zephaniah retroactively. We will read Hosea at a later time. Thank you.

Lunch Break Study

Read Hosea 14:1–7 (ESV): Return, O Israel, to the LORD your God, for you have stumbled because of your iniquity. [2] Take with you words and return to the LORD; say to him, “Take away all iniquity; accept what is good, and we will pay with bulls the vows of our lips. [3] Assyria shall not save us; we will not ride on horses; and we will say no more, ‘Our God,’ to the work of our hands. In you the orphan finds mercy.” [4] I will heal their apostasy; I will love them freely, for my anger has turned from them. [5] I will be like the dew to Israel; he shall blossom like the lily; he shall take root like the trees of Lebanon; [6] his shoots shall spread out; his beauty shall be like the olive, and his fragrance like Lebanon. [7] They shall return and dwell beneath my shadow; they shall flourish like the grain; they shall blossom like the vine; their fame shall be like the wine of Lebanon.

Questions to Consider

In this passage, how have God’s people turned away from Him?
Who calls Israel to return to the Lord?
If the people repent and turn back to God, what will He do?

Notes

They have not fulfilled their vows (v. 2); they have looked to Assyria for salvation; they have worshiped idols; and they have not cared for the orphan (v. 3).
God’s prophet Hosea does, but Hosea speaks on behalf of the Lord so the Lord, the one who has been offended, actually calls the people back to Himself.
He will heal their apostasy (repair their faith), love them (v. 4), and give them new life and growth (v. 5-7).

Evening Reflection

Reflect on your day. Did God give you fresh appreciation of His love? Did God give you fresh conviction of your sin? Ask Him for eyes to see His kindness in such a way that it would lead you to repent of your lack of love for Him and ask for a greater devotion to Jesus Christ.

July 24, Tuesday

Devotional Thoughts for Today

A Righteous Branch

Jeremiah 23:5-6 (ESV)

“Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. [6] In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which he will be called: ‘The LORD is our righteousness.’

Over the years, I’ve heard many times that America has many politicians but few leaders. Some wonder whether it’s even possible for a leader like Washington, Lincoln, or Roosevelt to emerge in our time. When we read of all the scandals and failures of our leaders, we can grow cynical and imagine that our best option is to submit to no one, and go our own way.

In the time of Jeremiah, Israel finds herself in a similar situation. Over many generations, there have been a few good kings who feared the Lord and ruled with righteousness, but most did nothing to stop rampant idolatry and injustice in Israel. Now God’s people are in exile, and they long for the day that God will send a Messiah to lead them back into the glory of God’s presence.

In our passage this morning, God declares that He will raise up a King filled with wisdom, righteousness, and justice. This King will save His people and allow them to dwell securely. The people of Israel will confidently declare that “The LORD is our righteousness.” Some Israelites may wonder whether it would even be possible for such a leader to emerge in their time. To the ears of a nation in exile, the promise sounds almost too good to be true.

But the people of God do not simply receive what they hope for. God gives us a Leader whose character is truly unassailable. Jesus is not just wise but omniscient. He is not only just, but the Judge of all nations and peoples. Jesus clothes His people in His righteousness, taking upon Himself our wickedness and sin.

We, like Israel, have been disappointed by leaders in the past and are very aware of the flaws of our leaders in the present. We may be tempted to lower our expectations of Jesus to avoid being disappointed, but He is far better than we can imagine! Let’s pray that we might trust in Him and find that He is even greater than we have heard.

Prayer: Father, I thank You that You sent Your only Son to save me. I thank You that He is far more glorious, faithful, and generous than words can express. I am so glad I can put my trust in You.

Bible Reading for Today: Ezra 2

Lunch Break Study

Read Ephesians 3:14–21 (ESV):

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, [15] from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, [16] that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, [17] so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, [18] may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, [19] and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. [20] Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, [21] to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Questions to Consider

For what reason does the Apostle Paul pray?
What does this passage have to say about the capacity of God to give to His people?
What is the proper response to the incredible generosity and love of God?

Notes

Paul is praying that God would give the Ephesians strength to comprehend the breadth, length, height, and depth of the love of Christ. The love of Christ surpasses all knowledge, so they need supernatural strength to comprehend it and be filled with the fullness of God.
God is able to give according to the riches of His glory. He strengthens through his Spirit. His love is immeasurable. He can do everything that we ask and more.
Worship is the proper response! God deserves all the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus among all generations forever and ever!

Evening Reflection

Reflect upon your day. Did your actions and attitude reflect your hope in King Jesus? Pray that God would replace any despair with hope in Him.

July 23, Monday

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?