The AMI QT Devotionals for August 14-16 are provided by Joanna Tzen, who graduated from U. Penn and currently works in Philadelphia. Her husband Paul and Joanna attend and serve at Grace Covenant Church.
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS FOR TODAY
“Without Holiness, No One will See the Lord” (Heb. 12:14) in Us
Genesis 39:2
The Lord was with Joseph, so he succeeded in everything he did as he served in the home of his Egyptian master. 3 Potiphar noticed this and realized that the Lord was with Joseph, giving him success in everything he did.
In continuing the story of Joseph, we see that after his brothers sell him into slavery, Potiphar’s household purchases him from the slavers. It must have been a moment of great despair for Joseph. Nevertheless, before the Lord began to bestow favor and success upon him in Potiphar’s home, there is little doubt that Joseph himself sought the Lord in his despair. Which came first? David, when facing a similar situation of hopelessness, said, “I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all fears” (Ps. 34:4). David didn’t solve his problems with his own strength; neither did Joseph, whose help came from the Lord (Ps. 121:2). Subsequently, his faith became evident to Potiphar who saw that Joseph was not like other slaves; that is to say, Joseph’s faith was expressed not only through his words but also by his work ethic and character-driven conduct. So impressed was Potiphar that he “left in Joseph’s care everything he had” (Gn. 39:6).
What can we learn from this? First, our faithfulness to the Lord is not generated by ourselves, for Joseph was faithful because he understood that God was being faithful to him. Second, hardship is necessary for our transformation, for adversity forced Joseph to hunger after God’s presence. As he clung to God and learned about His faithfulness, Joseph underwent a total transformation in character. (Remember, there was a reason his brothers couldn’t stand Joseph, who freely boasted how one day he would rule over them.) Third, as Joseph realized His God was trustworthy and faithful to his promises, the Lord freed Joseph from his rightful bitterness, which in turn led him to remain faithful in His service under whatever circumstances: as a slave, a prisoner, and finally as a powerful ruler of Egypt. Understanding and resting in God’s promises frees us and allows us to be faithful in any present circumstance.
What difficult circumstances do you find yourself in today? Have you allowed the promises of God to penetrate your heart? Let us go to throne today and ask that He remind us of those promises.
Prayer: Father God, forgive me when I allow my heart to wander and make circumstances bigger than you. Remind me of Your promises and that if You have given us Your Son, what else would You not give us. Thank You that Jesus, who was tempted yet remained sinless, understands my present circumstance. Lord, help me to trust and rest in Your promises so that I may be faithful through my own struggles.
Amen.
Bible Reading for Today: Isaiah 2
Lunch Break Study
Read Genesis 15:2: But Abram replied, “O Sovereign Lord, what good are all your blessings when I don’t even have a son? Since you’ve given me no children, Eliezer of Damascus, a servant in my household, will inherit all my wealth. 3 You have given me no descendants of my own, so one of my servants will be my heir.”4 Then the Lord said to him, “No, your servant will not be your heir, for you will have a son of your own who will be your heir.” 5 Then the Lord took Abram outside and said to him, “Look up into the sky and count the stars if you can. That’s how many descendants you will have!” 6 And Abram believed the Lord, and the Lord counted him as righteous because of his faith.
Questions to Consider
- What was the Lord’s promise to Abraham?
- What is said about Abraham in verse 6?
- When we feel like our circumstances overwhelm God’s promises, what can learn from this passage?
Notes
- God promised to give Abraham an heir that would be his own son, through whom He promised many descendants.
- Abraham is called righteous because of his faith.
- It is about 10 years since the last time God spoke to Abraham about his promises, so Abraham’s doubt is understandable. However, Abraham chooses to turn to God in this time and God renews his hope with the reiterated promise. Abraham is credited with righteousness because of his faith, not his deeds. Let’s emulate Abraham in this way to turn to God when we are tempted to doubt, and be renewed in His promises.
Evening Reflection
Lord, I confess that I do not always feel like being faithful when my circumstances are not what I expected. There are moments where I am tempted to doubt your promises and even your goodness. Help me to see beyond circumstance and renew my faith in You.
Many of us are familiar with the story of Joseph. We know he was his father’s favorite son, was sold into slavery by his brothers, but rose to be a man of power in Egypt. Joseph receives dreams from the Lord in this passage that he would be lifted above his family, clearly showing that he is favored and gifted by the Lord. He shares this with his family without much tact or wisdom, and it’s plain that his character leaves something to be desired.
Today’s AMI Devotional is written by Mei Lan Thallman. Mei Lan is originally from Taiwan and a graduate of Asbury College and Asbury Theological Seminary (M.A.) in Kentucky. She is the wife of Pastor Kirt, who serves at Grace Covenant Church (Philadelphia). They have two children, Nate (13) and Naomi (11).
At the beginning of this summer, I felt wearied and fatigued, like a car that has been on a long distance nonstop travel. My physical and emotional tanks were running on empty, warning lights flashing on all core components of my personhood. After sending the kids to their grandparents’ farm for a week, I told my husband that I desperately needed an extended personal time with Jesus.
The AMI QT Devotionals for today and tomorrow are provided Jasmin Izumikawa. Jasmin, a member of the Church of Southland, is currently a high school teacher.
The coldest and darkest night I experienced was on a mountain in Peru. My sister and I had nearly completed our three-day trek on foot and we stopped to rest for the evening. Each night, our team of hungry and weary travelers met in the communal tent and we listened for our trail leader to update us on the weather and such. We huddled together around a small lamp as he would encourage us, “Claro, claro, we will arrive in time to see the view at sunrise. It is very beautiful. Yes, there will be small train ride.”
The AMI QT Devotionals from August 7-11 are provided by Pastor Ryun Chang who writes about his recent teaching trip to Cuba. 
One word aptly describes the Korean-Argentian missionary who invited me to teach at the semiary where she operates with her Latino husband: overworked. Because everyone who comes there to teach for a week is Korean pastors, she must translate all their handouts to Spanish prior to their coming as well as interpret for them while they teach. So, my time there became half vacation for her but not by much since she prepared all my meals (Korean) while tending her two active daughters (2 and 4). Apparently, she is the only one in her organizaiton of 350+ missionaries who can do what she does.
Pastor Hugo probably spent more than 1,000 hours with me in the classroom over a period of 8 years; also, he often came to my house for further instruction. I sent him out to churches and schools in and outside of our city to teach my courses. He continues to impart them, including Greek which he has introduced to a college in Indiana that has a program for Hispanics. As for me, I feel a lot of joy, satisfaction, and gratitude toward the Lord.
While touring Havana, seeing even a single ad on the wall felt out of place; there really isn’t any need for advertising since products made by the Cuban government only come in one brand and size. Instead of choosing, you just line up and receive your monthly ration at the nearest bodega (warehouse). A family of four, for instance, is allotted one pound of chicken for an entire month but at a very low price. As for housing, once you build a house on land given by the government, you stay there indefinitely. When your daughter marries, her husband then moves into her room unless they have money to build a structure next to or above her parents’ house. 
In chapter 2 of my book on missions published in Mexico, while writing about the impressive growth of Christian faith in closed countries, I talked about Cuba without actually seeing what God was doing there. I finally had that opportunity during my recent teaching trip to Cuba for a week, taking back with me the reminder that “seeing is believing.”
Is attending Sunday worship service important to you? As a believer and a father trying to model a life of faith to his children, worshiping God corporately on Sundays has been very important. And today’s passage suggests that once you miss a Sunday, it may become a habit for some.
The AMI QT Devotionals for July 31-August 6 are provided by Christine Li. Christine, a graduate of University of Pennsylvania, currently lives and works in New York City. She serves at Remnant Church in Manhattan. 
Every so often, my roommate and I will find ourselves with a plethora of snacks left in our apartment – either gifts from other people or food that we purchased for the occasion. Over time, the snacks still get stale no matter how many preservative chemicals have been added to keep them fresh. We have to throw them out before anybody else comes over and wants to eat them. While they might be barely edible and non-toxic, they’re no longer fresh and enjoyable.