November 30, Thursday

The AMI QT Devotionals for November 27 to December 3 are written by David Son, who serves as the college pastor at Symphony Church in Boston. David, a graduate of UC Berkeley (B.S.) and Gordon-Conwell Seminary (M.Div.), is married to Grace, who teaches at a public school.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

“God’s Will in Marriage”

Genesis 24:1-4

Now Abraham was old, well advanced in years. And the Lord had blessed Abraham in all things. And Abraham said to his servant, the oldest of his household, who had charge of all that he had, “Put your hand under my thigh, that I may make you swear by the Lord, the God of heaven and God of the earth, that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell, but will go to my country and to my kindred, and take a wife for my son Isaac.”

The city of Shanghai has a peculiar event called the “Shanghai Marriage Market.” Think local farmer’s market meets eHarmony. At this meet and greet, parents write the basic information of their child on a slip of paper, and it gets put on display on a wall, along with hundreds of other “advertisements.” Pertinent information includes age, height, job, income, zodiac sign, etc. The hope for parents is that they would meet another parent whose child is a suitable match for their own child. As you might expect, the children mostly despise their parents’ participation in the Shanghai Marriage Market. But it continues to take place on a weekly basis because of the strong desire of parents to preserve their cultural traditions for the next generation.

In our text for today, Abraham is also very serious about whom his son, Isaac, will marry. He makes his lead servant take an oath to go back to his home-country and find a non-Canaanite wife for Isaac. But what was Abraham’s motivation? Was it simply a desire to preserve culture and traditions? Or was there something much deeper going on? (We see a similar thing happen later when Jacob is in search of a wife in Genesis 28.)

For a long time, I didn’t understand why God didn’t want His people to intermarry, particularly with the Canaanites. For a second I even thought, Is God against marriage of people of differing ethnicities? But that didn’t seem right in line with the rest of Scripture. It wasn’t until I read Deuteronomy 7:3-5 that I began to grasp what is really happening here: “You shall not intermarry with them, giving your daughters to their sons or taking their daughters for your sons, for they would turn away your sons from following me, to serve other gods.” God’s primary concern here is holiness. Abraham’s request was not about racial elitism, nor was it merely about preserving one particular culture/tradition; it was a matter of holiness. Abraham understood the power of marriage to transform and influence his son Isaac, and so it was his final mission to help his son find a wife who loved the Lord, and would help move him toward holiness.

A lot has changed since the time of Abraham and Isaac, especially in dating/marriage traditions. But this truth remains: God’s will for us is to move us toward holiness in/through all aspects of our lives. Whether it’s in marriage, relationships, or even our careers, God’s will is that we grow to love Him more through each of these areas. This morning, take a moment and consider if these areas are moving you closer to Him, or further away from Him.

Prayer: God, may everything in my life be used to draw me closer to You. Especially the areas that have the most impact on me, I ask that You would use them to sanctify me. Give me wisdom and discernment to be able to identify relationships/activities that may be pulling me away from You. In all things, I ask for Your grace to cover me. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Jeremiah 31

Lunch Break Study

Read 1 Thessalonians 5:14-18: And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Questions to Consider

According to Paul, why should we obey these commands?
What do all of these commands have in common?
What can we learn about the will of God from this passage?

Notes

Paul gives us a clear motivation as to why we ought to do these things: because it is the will of God for us!
It may not be obvious at first glance, but all of the commands listed here have to do with our character. It seems that God is more concerned about who we are becoming than what tasks we can accomplish.
Most often, we think the will of God has to do with career path: “Should I take this job offer or this other one?” But this passage says nothing about occupations, titles, or salary. Instead, it says that the will of God is for us to be encouragers, helpers, patient, doing good to all, rejoicers, pray-ers, and giving thanks in all circumstances. Perhaps you are in a season of your life where you are seeking God’s will. If so, may this passage give you a clear place to start!

Evening Reflection

Often, the hardest places to live out God’s will are the places that are closest to our hearts: our families and/or our roommates. For some reason, it’s much easier to be more patient and kind to people whom we don’t have to see all the time. But it’s these people (families, roommates, etc.) that God has placed in our lives that can have the biggest impact in forming Christ-like character in us. This evening, spend some time praying for those that God has placed closest to you.

November 29, Wednesday

Devotional Thoughts for Today

“Faith for the Next Generation”

Genesis 23:17-20

So the field of Ephron in Machpelah, which was to the east of Mamre, the field with the cave that was in it and all the trees that were in the field, throughout its whole area, was made over to Abraham as a possession in the presence of the Hittites, before all who went in at the gate of his city. After this, Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field of Machpelah east of Mamre (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan. The field and the cave that is in it were made over to Abraham as property for a burying place by the Hittites.

Vincent van Gogh is one of the most influential painters in the Western history of art. But during his life, he was never a successful artist and never made it big. His paintings were never highly regarded. He struggled with depression and psychosis. In fact, most people thought of Van Gogh as a miserable failure. It was only until after his tragic death that people began to take note of his mastery in painting. Generations later, Van Gogh’s masterpieces have become some of the most iconic and inspiring works known to man. Perhaps the greatest tragedy of Van Gogh’s life was that he had no idea of the impact he would have on future generations to come.

At first glance, one might make the mistake of likening Abraham’s life to that of Van Gogh’s. After all, Abraham didn’t live the most glamorous life: He lived as a sojourner, a foreigner in the land of Canaan. Furthermore, although he was promised descendants as numerous as the stars, he only really had one heir (Isaac). And although God had promised him a land with vast borders, this little plot of land, the field of Machpelah, was all that he had to his name. In fact, the only manifestations of God’s promises that Abraham ever got to see were his son (Isaac) and this field of Machpelah, where Sarah was buried. You might be thinking, “Abraham gave up everything, and left his home in Ur to end up with only that?!” Yes, but here is where Abraham was completely different from Mr. Van Gogh: Abraham’s faith gave him a vision for the future generations. Regardless of his accomplishments (or lack thereof), Abraham knew that none of his sacrifice or obedience would go to waste because God’s plan was bigger than himself. Abraham wasn’t a failure for not realizing God’s promises in his lifetime; Abraham became the father of faith, because he lived for the next generation.

Are you living for the next generation? Or are you defining the successfulness of God’s plan for you by looking only at your own accomplishments. Spend some time today asking God how He might be using you to build up the next generation, in faith.

Prayer: God, You are a God who is faithful from generation to generation. Help us to have faith beyond ourselves. Help us to walk in obedience, even if it may mean that we don’t get to see the fruit of it immediately, or ever. We believe that You are a sovereign God and we trust in You. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Jeremiah 30

Lunch Break Study

Read 1 Chronicles 22:6-19: Then he called for Solomon his son and charged him to build a house for the Lord, the God of Israel. David said to Solomon, “My son, I had it in my heart to build a house to the name of the Lord my God. But the word of the Lord came to me, saying, You have shed much blood and have waged great wars. You shall not build a house to my name, because you have shed so much blood before me on the earth. Behold, a son shall be born to you who shall be a man of rest. I will give him rest from all his surrounding enemies. For his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quiet to Israel in his days. He shall build a house for my name. He shall be my son, and I will be his father, and I will establish his royal throne in Israel forever.’ “Now, my son, the Lord be with you, so that you may succeed in building the house of the Lord your God, as he has spoken concerning you. Only, may the Lord grant you discretion and understanding, that when he gives you charge over Israel you may keep the law of the Lord your God. Then you will prosper if you are careful to observe the statutes and the rules that the Lord commanded Moses for Israel. Be strong and courageous. Fear not; do not be dismayed. With great pains I have provided for the house of the Lord 100,000 talents of gold, a million talents of silver, and bronze and iron beyond weighing, for there is so much of it; timber and stone, too, I have provided. To these you must add. You have an abundance of workmen: stonecutters, masons, carpenters, and all kinds of craftsmen without number, skilled in working gold, silver, bronze, and iron. Arise and work! The Lord be with you!”

David also commanded all the leaders of Israel to help Solomon his son, saying, “Is not the Lord your God with you? And has he not given you peace on every side? For he has delivered the inhabitants of the land into my hand, and the land is subdued before the Lord and his people. Now set your mind and heart to seek the Lord your God. Arise and build the sanctuary of the Lord God, so that the ark of the covenant of the Lord and the holy vessels of God may be brought into a house built for the name of the Lord.”

Questions to Consider

What task is King David handing off to his son, Solomon?
In what ways did David empower the next generation to accomplish this task?
What can we learn from David’s example in this passage?

Notes

It had been David’s personal desire to build a magnificent temple for God. But God indicated that David had shed too much blood, and therefore, the task would be given to David’s son, Solomon. In this passage, David is imparting this task onto his son.
David is very intentional about setting Solomon up for success. He sets aside gold, silver, bronze, iron, timber, and stone. He rallies workmen and leaders and commands them to help his son, Solomon. He encourages them in the Lord, reminding them that God was with them. And finally, he gives them clear instructions to help them begin this task.
David never got to see his dream come true. He never got to see the completion of this glorious temple. Yet, he didn’t despair; he didn’t consider himself a failure. He knew that he was called to be faithful in setting up the next generation for success. Although David had many accomplishments of his own during his lifetime. David’s faith also empowered him to finish strong, doing everything he possibly could to raise up the next generation. In what ways are you raising up those who are younger than you?

Evening Reflection

“The true meaning of life is to plant tree under whose shade you do not expect to sit.” – Nelson Henderson.

I don’t know if Mr. Henderson knew the Lord, but in some ways his quote captures a key aspect of what it means to be a servant of God. When we look at Scripture, many of the great men and women of faith never saw the complete fruition of the promises that God had for them. Abraham only had one child and a small piece of land, David never got to see the Temple of Jerusalem, Moses never entered the Promised Land. Yet each of them lived a fulfilled life because they knew that what they had accomplished was in God’s hands.

November 28, Tuesday

Devotional Thoughts for Today

“An Example of Integrity”

Genesis 23:8-16

And he said to them, “If you are willing that I should bury my dead out of my sight, hear me and entreat for me Ephron the son of Zohar, that he may give me the cave of Machpelah, which he owns; it is at the end of his field. For the full price let him give it to me in your presence as property for a burying place.”Now Ephron was sitting among the Hittites, and Ephron the Hittite answered Abraham in the hearing of the Hittites, of all who went in at the gate of his city, “No, my lord, hear me: I give you the field, and I give you the cave that is in it. In the sight of the sons of my people I give it to you. Bury your dead.” Then Abraham bowed down before the people of the land. And he said to Ephron in the hearing of the people of the land, “But if you will, hear me: I give the price of the field. Accept it from me, that I may bury my dead there.” Ephron answered Abraham, “My lord, listen to me: a piece of land worth four hundred shekels of silver, what is that between you and me? Bury your dead.” Abraham listened to Ephron, and Abraham weighed out for Ephron the silver that he had named in the hearing of the Hittites, four hundred shekels of silver, according to the weights current among the merchants.

Most American retail stores don’t operate on a system where prices are negotiable. But in many parts of the world, negotiating prices is a normal part of the business culture. If you’ve ever sold or purchased anything through Craigslist, you may have an idea of how temperamental and even volatile these transactions can be. In our passage today, Abraham enters into a negotiation with Ephron the Hittite for a plot of land. If there is anything we can learn from this passage, it’s the exemplary integrity of Abraham in a business setting.

First, they hold the transaction in a public place, the gate of the city in front of all the people. They could have done this deal privately, behind closed doors, but he was intentional about being transparent in his business dealing.
Second, Abraham shows respect by bowing before the people. The Hittites were not exactly Abraham’s friends. They didn’t follow God; they weren’t part of the community of faith. In fact, they would later become enemies of the descendants of Abraham. Nevertheless, Abraham treats them with respect.
Third, Abraham listens to Ephron and then insists on paying the full price. It may seem like Ephron is trying to gift the land to Abraham, but this back-and-forth dialogue was actually the customary way to bargain. When Ephron hints that the land is worth “four hundred shekels” he is effectively naming his price. Rather than haggle for the lowest possible bargain, Abraham gives him what he asks. Furthermore, Scripture mentions that he used the current weight measurements to ensure that he wasn’t swindling Ephron.

Could Abraham have gotten a better deal? Probably. Could Abraham have muscled his way onto the land and taken it by force? Perhaps. Why, then, does Abraham insist on paying full price, with full transparency, and respect, when dealing with strangers/enemies? Abraham wasn’t a sucker who overpaid the Hittites. Rather, there was a sense of honor and integrity that Abraham carried with him, even in the midst of business transactions. I can imagine that Ephron and the surrounding citizens must have been confused as Abraham began counting off four hundred shekels without even attempting to bargain. Prior to the meeting, one can assume that the Hittites were bracing for a heated exchange of negotiations. Instead, Abraham came to them, showing transparency, respect, integrity, and generosity.

Drawing from the example of Abraham, let us carry the character of God with us into our workplaces and classrooms today. Instead of approaching our work with worldly intent, let us approach it with godly intent. I believe that doing so will fundamentally change the nature of our work.

Sources Used:

https://www.theologyofwork.org/old-testament/genesis-12-50-and-work/abraham-genesis-121-2511/a-burial-plot-for-sarah-genesis-231-20

https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/archives/guzik_david/studyguide_gen/gen_23.cfm

Prayer: Lord, help us to walk with transparency, respect, integrity, and generosity, not just within the church walls, but wherever we go. Transform the fundamental nature of the work of our hands, so that it may glorify You, as well as to testify of Your character to those looking on. Highlight the areas in which we are lacking godly character so that we may repent. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Jeremiah 29

Lunch Break Study

Read Joshua 7:1-5: But the people of Israel broke faith in regard to the devoted things, for Achan the son of Carmi, son of Zabdi, son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of the devoted things. And the anger of the Lord burned against the people of Israel.

Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is near Beth-aven, east of Bethel, and said to them, “Go up and spy out the land.” And the men went up and spied out Ai. And they returned to Joshua and said to him, “Do not have all the people go up, but let about two or three thousand men go up and attack Ai. Do not make the whole people toil up there, for they are few.” So about three thousand men went up there from the people. And they fled before the men of Ai, and the men of Ai killed about thirty-six of their men and chased them before the gate as far as Shebarim and struck them at the descent. And the hearts of the people melted and became as water.

Questions to Consider

According to this passage, in what way(s) did the people of Israel break the faith?
What was the consequence of this breach in faith?
What does this story tell us about the effect of hidden sin?

Notes

Joshua 7 tells us that the people of Israel broke faith because one person, Achan, took some of the devoted things. In other words, the entire nation was at fault because of the sin of one man.
Because of the sin of Achan, the anger of the Lord burned against the entire nation of Israel. Their very next military endeavor turned out to be a complete failure. They lost the battle and 36 of their men were killed. Furthermore, the hearts of the people “melted and became as water” because of this defeat. At first, this may seem like a small loss, but you have to realize that until this point, this Israelite army had not lost a battle. Big or small, they always won because they knew that God was on their side, fighting for them. This defeat was demoralizing because it meant that something wasn’t right with the Lord. All of a sudden, He wasn’t fighting for them anymore… and that was a terrifying thought.
It’s shocking to see that God would withdraw His presence because of the sin of one person. This shows us how severe it is to keep hidden sin. It doesn’t just affect the one person; it affects the entire community. Of course, the power of Jesus’ blood is enough to cover and forgive every sin. Nevertheless, when we choose to incubate hidden sins, the consequences can be tremendous, even tragic. If you are part of a community of faith, let us practice walking in the light.

Evening Reflection

This evening, spend some time praying for your workplace/campus/neighborhood. Oftentimes, it’s hard for us to sense God’s presence in these places. But let us grow in our faith that God is just as alive in these places as He is in the place of our corporate worship. What are some ways you can serve and bless the people outside of church?

November 27, Monday

Devotional Thoughts for Today

“I Am a Sojourner”

Genesis 23:1-6

Sarah lived 127 years; these were the years of the life of Sarah. And Sarah died at Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan, and Abraham went in to mourn for Sarah and to weep for her. And Abraham rose up from before his dead and said to the Hittites, “I am a sojourner and foreigner among you; give me property among you for a burying place, that I may bury my dead out of my sight.” The Hittites answered Abraham, “Hear us, my lord; you are a prince of God among us. Bury your dead in the choicest of our tombs. None of us will withhold from you his tomb to hinder you from burying your dead.”

In 2010, Lebron James made a shocking announcement to the NBA world: he would be taking his talents to South Beach, Miami. For the next four years, Lebron made his home in Miami and thrived during his time there. He won two NBA championship titles for the city of Miami, became one of its most beloved citizens, and he was even called “King James.” But Lebron (and most discerning fans) knew that Lebron’s home wasn’t really in Miami. He was a sojourner there. Lebron was always destined to return to his true home. Sure enough, in 2014, Lebron made his way back home to Cleveland. But his time in Miami will always be one for the (NBA) history books.

Our passage today begins with the death of Sarah. As Abraham grieves for her, he searches for a proper burial place for his beloved wife. Approaching the Hittites, the natives of the land, he begins his request for a burial plot by saying, “I am a sojourner and foreigner among you…” Now, there are a few reasons why Abraham might have introduced himself in this way. Abraham was from Ur of the Chaldeans, and so he was literally a foreigner. But we must consider that by this time, Abraham had been in the land of Canaan for around 50 years already (he was 75 when God first called him). He had raised children, won several military battles, and became one of the most recognized citizens in the area. In fact, he is even called “prince” by the Hittites! It seems that Abraham’s self-identification as a “sojourner and foreigner” is not so much due to the novelty of his stay in Canaan, but rather because he knew that his true home was in heaven. So, although Abraham lived and thrived in various cities, he knew that he was a sojourner until he arrived at home. Perhaps this is why Abraham was able respond to God’s commands with such profound obedience.

Today, let’s be reminded that we are also sojourners in this city. This doesn’t mean we stop putting effort into our roles and responsibilities here. In fact, we ought to do our best to be excellent citizens and loving neighbors wherever we live. Nevertheless, it should be clear to us that we are sojourners and there is only one home to which we belong—and that is with God, in heaven.

Prayer: God, help us to live in this world/city without forgetting that we are just passing through. May you use every moment of our time here for Your glory. And may we respond to Your call with unhindered obedience. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Jeremiah 28

Lunch Break Study

Read Philippians 3:17-20: Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Questions to Consider

In this passage, what is Paul’s primary command to the Christians in Philippians?
Who might these “enemies of the cross of Christ” be?
What does it mean to be a citizen of heaven?

Notes

Paul’s primary command for the believers is for them to imitate him (Paul), and keep their eyes on those who walk faithful to Christ.
Paul isn’t explicit here about who these people are, but he has given us enough clues here (and in other parts of this letter) for us to have a good idea of whom he is talking about. Paul is urging the believers to be careful of those who call themselves “Christians” but choose to lead others to focus on earthly things. Whether enforcing circumcision, or diet restrictions (“god is their belly”), these people made earthly things the focal point of their faith. Paul says, with tears, that their end is destruction.
In contrast with having a mind set on earthly things, Paul calls us “citizens of heaven.” Citizenship implies many things on earth: For example, there are many perks, privileges, and responsibilities of being a citizen of the United States. Among the countless blessings/perks of being a citizen of heaven, Paul highlights one specific aspect: we await the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Evening Reflection

This evening, spend some time reflecting on what it means to be a sojourner in your city, at your job, on your campus. What are some ways that you could live increasingly as a citizen of heaven?

November 26, Sunday

The AMI QT Devotionals from November 20-26 are provided by Pastor Joshua Kim of Church of Southland. Joshua, a graduate of Emory University and Columbia Theological Seminary (M.Div.), serves as the pastor of Access group (singles). He is married to Christina.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Genesis 22.15-19

And the angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time from heaven 16 and said, “By myself I have sworn, declares the Lord, because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17 I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies, 18 and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice.” 19 So Abraham returned to his young men, and they arose and went together to Beersheba. And Abraham lived at Beersheba.

My honest confession is that one of the hardest parts of ministry is that there are often no tangible measurements for success. Is a successful ministry measured by how many people come on Sundays? How much tithing and offering a church brings in? Is it by the number of baptisms or how many are in attendance in your small groups? Perhaps to some extent, but none of these are perfect measurements. But you can see why in such a context, it can become a temptation to rely on these things to get some level of measuring how well things are going. But what could follow, if not carefully checked and brought before the Lord, is a culture within the church where performance is always measured. And this can happen in our individual spiritual lives as well.

Our spirituality can easily become twisted into thinking that certain acts entitle us to positions or blessings in life. And this is what we could read into today’s passage. Because Abraham was obedient, because Abraham was willing to sacrifice even his one and only son, God rewards Abraham with blessings. But if you carefully look at what God will bless Abraham with, aren’t these things what God has already promised to Abraham? Is this not the details of the covenant already established back in Genesis 15?

Our obedience to God does not earn God’s blessings; they allow us to walk in God’s blessings. Our obedience to God transforms us to become the vessel that can hold God’s blessings. In the end, it is God’s grace towards us that we are able to experience His blessings. One thing we must always hold in our hearts and mind is this truth: God’s unchanging disposition is to bless.

On this Sabbath day, find rest in the fact that our God is a God who blesses. And may our hearts respond in worship of a God who loves undeserving creatures like us.

Prayer: Father, thank You for this story. There are many things that’s hard to understand, but it points us to the kind of relationship You had built with Abraham that led him to this point. It was You who initiated it, and it was You who sustained it. And I believe You want that same kind of relationship with me. As I learn to walk with You, may the purposes of God be fulfilled in my life as I walk in intimate relationship with You. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Jeremiah 27

November 25, Saturday

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Genesis 22:7-14

And Isaac said to his father Abraham, “My father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” He said, “Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” 8 Abraham said, “God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.” So they went both of them together.

9 When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built the altar there and laid the wood in order and bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. 10 Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son. 11 But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” 12 He said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.” 13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. 14 So Abraham called the name of that place, “The Lord will provide”; as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided.”

At the heart of the gospel message is a decision. A decision by an infinite God who chose to love a people so undeserved, unmerited, and utterly sinful. A decision made without any obligation but to Himself.

Today’s passage records another decision—the moment when Abraham chooses to put his faith into action. Everything has been prepared for the sacrifice. After carefully laying the wood in order, he binds his son and lays him on top of the altar. In this scene, it’s hard to imagine what is going on in Abraham’s mind—he gave Isaac a cryptic message earlier talking about how God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering. Was he talking about Isaac? Was he talking about the ram? It couldn’t have been the latter as the angel had to quickly intervene before the knife struck Isaac. So what was he talking about?

Commentators note that this statement expressed Abraham’s faith that even if it meant that obeying God would result in the death of his son Isaac, God would provide a way. Abraham believed in God’s promise in that Isaac would be his heir and that his seed would become a great nation. He believed God would somehow keep His promise despite seemingly impossible conditions. And we know that indeed God did provide a way. He provided a ram caught in a thicket, but more so, He provided His one and only Son.

So many parts of this story point to the sacrifice of Jesus. Mount Moriah where all this happened is where Solomon will build the temple. Mount Calvary where Jesus is crucified is located just outside of Jerusalem where the temple dwells. “On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided.” What no animal sacrifice could ever accomplish, the perfect Son of God laid down His life as the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. What God would not have Abraham do, He did Himself.

When we trek with Abraham, getting inside his mind, wondering what it’s like to be in his shoes and to lay down his promised son on the altar, agonizing with him in making this decision to obey… and when we realize that ultimately God made that very same decision, it leads us to marvel at how great the Father’s love is for us. For God so loved the world, He gave His one and only Son, so that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

Prayer: Father, thank You for the cross. Thank You that from the beginning, You had perfect plan to rescue Your people. What You would not force us to do, You did Yourself, so that we may live. As we marvel at this truth, we worship You in response. Thank You for Jesus. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Jeremiah 25-26

November 24, Friday

The AMI QT Devotionals from November 20-26 are provided by Pastor Joshua Kim of Church of Southland. Joshua, a graduate of Emory University and Columbia Theological Seminary (M.Div.), serves as the pastor of Access group (singles). He is married to Christina.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Genesis 22.1-3

After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” 2 He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” 3 So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac. And he cut the wood for the burnt offering and arose and went to the place of which God had told him.

There is a particular moment that has defined the faith of my family. To condense it for the sake of time, my life changed dramatically at the age of thirteen. My parents had gone through a lot of transition in ministry that year where we witnessed how broken people can be even in the church. In this season of desperation, my parents sought the Lord. And through revelation and divine appointments, my parents believed that the Lord was calling them back to a church in Korea. What this meant was that they would leave my 16-year-old sister and me to live on our own in an apartment in Utah.

In today’s passage, we see one of these defining moments (perhaps the most famous one) in Abraham’s life. What’s interesting is that when we isolate the act of killing his son, it is clearly an immoral act, that is, it is a clear violation of not only human ethics but the ways of God. Yet God commands him. How do we make sense of this?

Soren Kierkegaard, Danish philosopher and theologian, writes about this very event. He introduces something called the teleological suspension of the ethical. It is this notion where what is ethical is suspended because obedience to a unique calling of God for a purpose (telos) trumps what is considered moral. To overly simplify this, because God is God, obedience to Him is higher than even the moral laws.

Now, it is very dangerous to extract just this notion and apply it generally. In fact, Kierkegaard goes to great lengths to explain the kind of faith journey that leads to this unique understanding of calling. But what this story and Kierkegaard point to is not so much about this moment of decision to obey God; rather, it points to the spiritual journey that Abraham had been on with God. It is through his ongoing relationship with God that he was able to recognize this pivotal moment in his faith. This relationship that Abraham had built with God was what led him to the place where he could hear God’s voice calling out his name. And as others like Moses, Samuel, and Isaiah will later respond, Abraham was able to say, “Here I am” and obey.

Did it make sense for my parents to leave two teenagers alone in a different country? Was this the right thing to do? I can’t say for sure on a moral level, but I can confidently say that because my parents had been walking in a relationship with God and a lifestyle of honoring Him, they were able to obey. I pray that I too will be able to obey when these moments come. I pray that all of us would be in such an intimate, love relationship with God that when He speaks, we too may be able to lay it all down and say, “Here I am.”

Bible Reading for Today: Jeremiah 24

Lunch Break Study

Read John 10.1-5: “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.”

Questions to Consider

How does the shepherd relate with the sheep? How do the sheep know him?
If Jesus is the Good Shepherd, and we are the sheep, what does this passage teach us about our relationship with Him? How do we determine where we ought to go or what we need to do?
How does this passage challenge your notion of what is right or wrong? How does this change how you might view your life?

Notes

The key word here is voice. The shepherd is recognized by his voice, as he calls his own to him. He leads them out, and the sheep follow by his voice.
First thing is that this passage doesn’t limit us to the audible voice of God. It does point us to the fact that our Good Shepherd speaks to us, and when He speaks, He leads us and goes before us. To go deeper, what we consider right or wrong is no longer dictated by our own thoughts, but it is anchored on His voice. In other words, where we go, what we do is not in relation to Him who leads us.
Personal response. In what ways is the Good Shepherd speaking to you that you might be resisting because according to our determination of what is good or right doesn’t quite match how He is speaking to us?

Evening Reflection

The best life we can possibly live here on earth is to live in utter obedience and dependence on Him, even when it seems crazy or radical. Of course, there is wisdom and discernment that is involved, but what is clear is that all of this cannot be determined outside of an intimate relationship with Him. In what ways is God calling you to a deeper intimacy with Him? Respond to Him in prayer and commit yourself.

November 23, Thursday

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Genesis 21:22-34

At that time Abimelech and Phicol the commander of his army said to Abraham, “God is with you in all that you do. 23 Now therefore swear to me here by God that you will not deal falsely with me or with my descendants or with my posterity, but as I have dealt kindly with you, so you will deal with me and with the land where you have sojourned.” 24 And Abraham said, “I will swear.” 25 When Abraham reproved Abimelech about a well of water that Abimelech’s servants had seized, 26 Abimelech said, “I do not know who has done this thing; you did not tell me, and I have not heard of it until today.” 27 So Abraham took sheep and oxen and gave them to Abimelech, and the two men made a covenant. 28 Abraham set seven ewe lambs of the flock apart. 29 And Abimelech said to Abraham, “What is the meaning of these seven ewe lambs that you have set apart?” 30 He said, “These seven ewe lambs you will take from my hand, that this may be a witness for me that I dug this well.” 31 Therefore that place was called Beersheba, because there both of them swore an oath. 32 So they made a covenant at Beersheba. Then Abimelech and Phicol the commander of his army rose up and returned to the land of the Philistines. 33 Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba and called there on the name of the Lord, the Everlasting God. 34 And Abraham sojourned many days in the land of the Philistines.

Happy Thanksgiving to all our AMI family! I pray that wherever you are, your heart is full of gratitude because of God’s faithfulness in your life. It was almost 400 years ago when the first US Thanksgiving was celebrated by a fraction of the surviving pilgrims who came to the New World. It had been the first successful harvest after much suffering and loss. And on this day, alongside Native American friends who had greatly assisted the Pilgrims in settling in their new homes, they got together for three days of feasting and fellowship. Literary Critic Kathleen Donegan in a PBS special on the First Thanksgiving recounts the following:

Part of the reason why they were grateful was because they had been in such misery… so in some way, that day of thanksgiving is coming out of mourning. It’s also coming out of grief. And this abundance that is a relief from that loss… but we don’t think about the loss; we think about the abundance.

Today’s passage can easily be overlooked. But upon further investigation, this part of the story actually has a lot of connections to the first observance of Thanksgiving. Commentators note the significance of this covenant made between Abraham and Abimelech as Abraham’s first steps of leaving the nomadic way of life and establishing himself in the land where God had promised to make him a great nation—Canaan. What may not be apparent especially to modern-day readers is this dispute over a well. Scholars note that in such arid climates, the securing of a water source is of greatest importance when it comes to establishing a settlement. By having Abimelech guarantee the ownership of the well at Beersheba as belonging to Abraham, he had now secured his water source. And much like the Pilgrims who celebrated God’s provision in helping them settle in their new home, Abraham begin to establish roots into the promised land of God.

As you take this day to remember all the ways the Lord has been faithful to you, how He has established your ways through His blessings, is your heart overflowing with gratitude? Or are we too consumed by the things that we do not have or, as Donegan put it, are we focused on the miseries and the loss? Not that those things are insignificant, but because God is so much more significant, we are able to focus on His goodness. May God bring to remembrance today all that He has done for us, starting with the cross of Jesus Christ.

Prayer: Father, thank You! Thank You for who You are! Thank You for all that You have done! You are Jehovah Jireh, the God who provides. You are Jehovah Shalom, the God of my peace. Everything I have in life is because of Your grace. And on this day, I choose to look to Your goodness. Help me to make this the posture in which I live every day of my life. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Jeremiah 23

Lunch Break Study

Read 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Questions to Consider

According to this passage, what is rejoicing, praying, and giving thanks a summation of? What allows you to do this?
What is the relationship between rejoicing, prayer, and thanksgiving? How do you see these things playing a role in your life?
As you take a moment to reflect, is there an example of a hardship in your life where in Christ, you were able to or you could have given thanks in even that circumstance? How so?

Notes

The passage shows that rejoicing, praying, and giving thanks is the will of God for us—this is what He wants for our lives. When so many of us ask about the will of God in terms of direction or decisions, this passage points to the posture in which we are called to live. And this is possible all because of what Christ has done and accomplished on our behalf.
It is often explained that these three things are three aspects of the same experience. Rejoicing is the inward experiencing of God; thanksgiving is the outward expression of that rejoicing toward God; prayer is the process through which we come to understand and experience from God’s perspective. The psalms are an expression of these three things at play. Therefore, it (singular) is the will of God for us—you cannot truly have one without the other.
Personal reflection. Really spend some time thinking through this—go deeper with the Spirit rather than giving a “Sunday school” response. Taste and see that it is possible to give thanks in all circumstances.

Evening Reflection

I hope your bellies are full at this point. We have spent the day reflecting upon the goodness of God that has established our lives to where it is now. As we prepare for tomorrow, take this moment to posture yourself to give thanks now for what will happen tomorrow. In what ways can you already start tomorrow by giving thanks now?

November 22, Wednesday

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Genesis 21.8-14 (ESV)

And the child grew and was weaned. And Abraham made a great feast on the day that Isaac was weaned. 9 But Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, laughing. 10 So she said to Abraham, “Cast out this slave woman with her son, for the son of this slave woman shall not be heir with my son Isaac.” 11 And the thing was very displeasing to Abraham on account of his son. 12 But God said to Abraham, “Be not displeased because of the boy and because of your slave woman. Whatever Sarah says to you, do as she tells you, for through Isaac shall your offspring be named. 13 And I will make a nation of the son of the slave woman also, because he is your offspring.” 14 So Abraham rose early in the morning and took bread and a skin of water and gave it to Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, along with the child, and sent her away. And she departed and wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba.

Someone once told me marriage is hard because it is the first time that you are forced to truly live with yourself. And this realization of who we truly are is not always a fun experience. For me, I didn’t realize how much I had tailored my life to fit my needs and desires until this “customized” life began conflicting with my wife’s way of doing things. My preferences on where shoes are stored to how certain chores are done were different from my wife’s. And through this conflict of preferences, I came to realize how particular I could be and how deep my selfishness goes.

The truth is, the people in our lives are often the best reflections of our true character, especially those that we live in close proximity. Spouses are good examples, but so are co-workers, classmates, and even our friendships. Relationships become strained because they often show us the realest—and often darkest—parts of our character.

We see a true glimpse of who Sarah is in the passage by how she deals with Hagar. What triggers Sarah this time is the sight of Ishmael doing something in particular—laughing (v. 9). Now it’s not clear what the purpose of including this detail might be, but this act of laughing has a long history with Sarah. As we discussed in yesterday’s QT, laughing was one of the things that describe Sarah’s transformation from disbelief into faith. Commentators note that the kind of laughing Ishmael does is much like the mocking, incredulous laughter of Sarah in Genesis 18.

And when you consider who Hagar is, her history with Sarah and Abraham, who Ishmael is, and what God has done by giving Isaac to Sarah, you start to wonder about the nature of Sarah’s disdain towards Hagar. Could it be the Hagar is a reminder of Sarah’s lack of faith? Is Hagar visual proof of Sarah’s past mistakes, of when she tried to take things into her own hands and not trusting in the Lord? Sometimes those that we dislike the most are the most accurate reflections of our true selves. In most cases, our lack of grace towards them is not so much about the other person; it’s our lack of grace towards ourselves. It’s our unwillingness to face and deal with our true selves with the living God. So we rather send our Hagars away.

But we know that unless we deal with these things, they will keep coming back as we are often the source of these things, not the other individuals. In what ways are we pushing away the Hagars in our lives? Something to think about!

Prayer: Father, we thank You for Your constant work in us. We believe that the blood of Jesus covers us, that we are justified in Him. But we also recognize that the Holy Spirit is daily changing our character to become more like Your Son. We often resist this change; we ask for the grace to trust You through the pruning process so that we may bear much fruit. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Jeremiah 22

Lunch Break Study

Read Psalm 139:1-6, 23-24 (ESV): Lord, you have searched me and known me! 2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. 3 You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. 4 Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether. 5 You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it. . .. 23 Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! 24 And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!

Questions to Consider

In considering the first part of this psalm (you may consider reading the whole psalm if time permits), what is the picture the of God’s knowledge and understanding that the psalmist paints?
In verse 6, the psalmist writes that such knowledge is too wonderful for me. When considering such wonderful knowledge, how should we response when these things are revealed to us by the Lord?
In verses 23-24, what does the psalmist pray? Does this reflect the heart you have towards the Lord? Why or why not?

Notes

The picture that the psalmist paints of God’s knowledge is all encompassing. Consider the words that he uses—God’s knowledge encompasses time and inner thoughts, our future and our ways (v.3), our inner most thoughts before they are spoken (v.4), He surrounds you all around (v.5). God’s understanding and presence in our lives is not merely one-dimensional.
It is a fearful thing to be known by such an extraordinary God. He sees and knows all thing, a knowledge indeed too wonderful for us to hold. And yet in His perfect wisdom, out of His perfect love, God chooses to reveal certain things to us. Particularly, He reveals the things that are keeping us from Him. This knowledge is indeed wonderful though often painful to acknowledge. Yet when we consider the opposite of not knowing, might our response to this revelation be different?
The words here are the same as the beginning but different. There is a sense of invitation here. The psalmist is inviting God to search him. It is not permissive (as God already has and knows) but rather relational. The prayer is that God would reveal to him anything grievous so that he may walk in the ways of everlasting God.

Evening Reflection

We have spent the day reflecting upon how God may be revealing things about our character through those that we may have the hardest time with. One reality we must not neglect in this is that although these things are often more about us than about the other person, it nevertheless has consequences for that person as well. There was real rejection and exiling of Hagar in the passage, not just mentally or emotionally. As you pray about these relationships and what it might reveal about your character, spend some time praying for the Hagars in our lives, that God might bring reconciliation and healing to these relationships.

November 21, Tuesday

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Genesis 21.3, 6-7 (ESV)

Abraham called the name of his son who was born to him, whom Sarah bore him, Isaac.
6 And Sarah said, “God has made laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh over me.” 7 And she said, “Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age.”

If you have spent some time browsing through YouTube, there’s a good chance that you have come across some of these videos: They capture the moments when an enlisted member of a family (a dad, a mom, a sibling, etc.) comes back from war or training, surprising their family on a special occasion. And my guess is that for many of us, watching these sweet moments of reunion, our hearts are full of joy, which often leaks out of our eyes in the form of tears.

The human experience of crying is odd. Oftentimes, tears represent sorrow, pain, loss, while other times, tears are a sign of overwhelming joy and happiness. In today’s passage, we see another reaction that represents these extremes. If you remember back in Genesis 18, we see Abraham and Sarah encounter three men who foretell that Sarah will have a son next year, at the age of 90. Hearing this news, Sarah laughs to herself. The nature of Sarah’s laugh has been somewhat debated by many theologians, but many agree that this laugh was an incredulous response, almost a mocking tone of disbelief.

Now in Genesis 21, we see that Sarah is again laughing. In fact, Isaac’s name is derived from the word laughter. But this time, her laughter comes from a very different place. While there is still a sense of awe and disbelief, Sarah’s laughter is now one of incredible joy and amazement at how God had done the impossible. And here we see a central theme that surrounds God’s work.

God is a God who is able to turn our sorrows into rejoicing. Not only is He able, but He is willing. For those who trust in Him, they will experience this kind of transformation. Hearts are changed. Perspectives are shifted. Desires are redirected. What is good to our eyes changes from what is fleshly to what is spiritual—this is possible in God. As you reflect upon God’s ability to change your laughter of unbelief to laughter of joy, may you be reminded of God’s incredible love toward you.

Prayer: Father, thank You that You are our heavenly Father who loves to give what is good to His children. Thank You that Your intent is always for good and not for evil. God, You are a God of the impossible—all things are possible in You, even changing of calloused hearts. May I be reminded of that power that can change even the darkest corners of my heart. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Jeremiah 21

Lunch Break Study

Read Psalm 30:1-4, 11-12 (ESV): I will extol you, O Lord, for you have drawn me up and have not let my foes rejoice over me. 2 O Lord my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me. 3 O Lord, you have brought up my soul from Sheol; you restored me to life from among those who go down to the pit. 4 Sing praises to the Lord, O you his saints, and give thanks to his holy name. . . .11 You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, 12 that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever

Questions to Consider

What reasons does David give in the Psalm for his exaltation of God? Are there parts of David’s life that would testify of this kind of God?
Focus on verses 11-12. What can you learn from the contrasting emotions and experience the psalmist feels when God’s deliverance comes?
How does your understanding of question 2 change your understanding of the manner in which we are called to live our lives?

Notes

You can see that David has experienced deliverance from his enemies (Saul, Absalom), from living as a nomad in fear of his life (1 Sam 27, 2 Sam 15), the struggle of being anointed king yet the fulfillment of that seeming so distant, etc.
The contrast is from mourning to dancing. Sometimes, all we ask is from mourning to peace, but God gives so much more than that. He not only removes our sackcloth of mourning, but He clothes us with gladness. He is indeed a God who can do far greater than what we can imagine or think.
As God is a God who turns mourning into not just peace but dancing, the posture in which we are called to live our lives is found in verse 12: not be silent; sing your praise to Him. Not just peace, not just comfort—we are to take our dancing and turn it into rejoicing to His glory.

Evening Reflection

Charles Spurgeon on Psalm 30: “Observe the contrast, God takes away the mourning of his people; and what does he give them instead of it? Quiet and peace? Aye, and a great deal more than that… Glory be to thee, O God, if, by a sense of full forgiveness and present justification, thou hast enriched my spiritual nature and filled me with all the fullness of God.”

As you have spent the day reflecting on a God who takes us from doubt and mourning to faith and rejoicing, in what areas of your life do you need this truth to be spoken to? Spend some time this evening reminding yourself of the God who is able to turn your mourning into dancing. And respond in appropriate worship to Him.