Editor’s Note: The AMI Quiet Time for today is provided by Christine Chang of GCC.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Matthew 6:1-5

Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. 2 Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 5 And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

I remember one time as a college student, I posted a photo on Facebook showcasing all the books I had recently purchased, captioned with a declaration that I would be reading them all throughout winter break.  I received so many approving “likes” and comments that spoke to my productivity and refined choice of leisure, but here’s a belated update to that highly publicized goal of mine: I didn’t even finish a single book.  While it wasn’t my plan to deliberately deceive people, the acknowledgement I received from sharing my goal gave me a false sense of accomplishment and thereby weakened my resolve to actually read.

Contrary to a commonly held assumption that sharing personal goals with others helps us complete them, a recent article from The Berkeley Science Review titled, “When Telling Others About Your Goals Compromises Them,” explains that when it comes to identity goals (goals to achieve a certain identity), receiving social recognition before enacting on a plan can lead to “a premature sense that one already possesses the desired identity.”

While there’s certainly a time and place for accountability, our present culture thrives on over-sharing the details of our lives, especially through social media.  It gets harmful when we forget what it feels like to do things in secret, without expecting any human acknowledgment at all.  In Matthew 6:6, when Jesus tells us to “go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret,” the room described here was commonly located at the center of a house to store dry goods, and it had no windows.  Tim Keller points out that of all the spiritual disciplines, the one that nobody can see is secret prayer—and its absence or presence in our lives reveals our true motive for following God.

When you are all by yourself, do you pray naturally?  Do you often feel the need to be recognized for reading the Bible or praying? As humans, I think we’ve all engaged in spiritual acts to satisfy our need for human approval, but as we enter a secret time of prayer, God reveals the hollowness of our actions and then engages our souls with His grace and mercy until His presence is our sole desire.  Let’s continue praying corporately while also developing a secret prayer life that deepens our awareness that Jesus alone can satisfy.

Prayer: Father, I’m sorry for the times when I’ve outwardly lived a life for You but inwardly satisfied my own desires.  I want to experience the sweetness of praying to You in secret, where my words are honest and vulnerable; where the stillness quiets my soul; where Your gentle whisper penetrates my heart. Amen.

 Bible Reading for Today: John 12

Lunch Break Study

(Provided by Pastor Ryun Chang)

Read Proverbs 18:24: A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Micah 7:5^b: Put no trust in a neighbor; have no confidence in a friend . . .

Jn. 15:13: Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.

Question to Consider

1. What do these seemingly disparate verses suggest?
2. What is the major difference between the biblical friendship as opposed to Facebook friendship?
3. Abraham was called God’s friend (James 2:23). What made him so?  What kind of a friend are you to the Lord?  What does that even mean?

Notes

1. While we need friends, we don’t need many friends; instead, we need few true ones.
2. The Facebook friendship is quantitative and artificial, and exists, for the most part, to amuse each other; the biblical friendship is qualitative and real, and exists to help each other sacrificially.
3. The entire James 2:23 reads, “And the scripture was fulfilled that says, ‘Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,’ and he was called God’s friend.” It seems like one key prerequisite to being God’s friend is having faith in Him. What does that mean? That we have the confidence that God will do what He said He would.  Do you have that confidence in God? If you do, then, you are on your way to becoming His friend!

Evening Reflection

We talked about friendship today.  Haman didn’t know until it was too late that he really had no friends.  Did you get to speak to any of your friends today?  How would you appraise the depth of your friendship?  Do you know what to pray for them?  If not, then, perhaps your relationship needs a major tune-up.  The first step always is to go to our ultimate Friend, God, and ask Him to empower and motivate us to be a trustworthy friend.  Pray.

Editor’s Note: The AMI Quiet Times from Nov. 30-Dec. 3 are provided by Pastor Ryun Chang.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Esther 3:1, 6; 7:10

After these events, King Xerxes honored Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, elevating him and giving him a seat of honor higher than that of all the other nobles. . . . ⁶ [H]aving learned who Mordecai’s people were, he scorned the idea of killing only Mordecai. Instead Haman looked for a way to destroy all Mordecai’s people, the Jews, throughout the whole kingdom of Xerxes. . . . ^7:10 So they impaled Haman on the pole he had set up for Mordecai. Then the king’s fury subsided.

Atheist Richard Dawkins said, “The God of the OT is . . . a petty, unjust . . ., a vindictive, bloodthirsty . . . bully.”  His evidence: God’s command to King Saul to “attack the Amalekites and totally destroy everything that belongs to them”—including “men and women, children and infants” (1 Sam. 15:3).

In light of this, exonerating God from Dawkins’ charge would be impossible; but the meta-narrative regarding Israel and Amalek begins about 400 years earlier when Israel came out of Egypt and was roaming the desert in search of the Promised Land.  In the process, Israel encountered many battles. From the perspective of several Canaanite nations, they had a legitimate beef against Israel, since they sought to cross other nation’s land to get to her destination (Deut. 2:27-30).  But that wasn’t the case with the Amalekites who actively searched for Israel to destroy it.  Thus, God, before telling Moses, “When the LORD . . . [gives] you . . . the land . . . as an inheritance, you shall blot out the memory of Amalek under heaven” (Deut. 25:19), reminds him: “Remember what the Amalekites did to you along the way when you came out of Egypt.  When you were weary and worn out, they met you on your journey and cut off all who were lagging behind; they had no fear of God” (18).

So, why was God so livid against Amalek?  Inasmuch as Israel was God’s chosen instrument to carry out His redemptive plan, Amalek, in effect, was Satan’s tool to destroy it.  From the very outset, the Amalekites sought to eliminate Israel from the face of the earth. So what was in it for Satan?  Once Israel was gotten rid of, so was God’s redemptive plan—for it was through Israel that the Messiah was going to come.  It really was a zero-sum “game”: if the Amalekites prevailed, then the “dominion of darkness” would have continued to envelop the world; if Israel prevailed, then the imminent threat against God’s plan would have been thwarted.

But evidently, Saul’s disobedience left some members of King Agag’s family alive, which, 500 years later, resulted in the rise of Haman the Agagite who tried to destroy all the Jews in the Persian Empire, including the ones in Jerusalem.  Had he succeeded, God’s redemptive plan for the world would have been obliterated.  This was why God ordered Saul to eliminate all the Amalekites—for His love for the world was such that God risked being labelled as a “bloodthirsty bully” in order to send the Savior to redeem us from the miserable penalty of sin.  Dawkins is wrong—again!  “God is love” (1 Jn. 3:8) and “light; in him there is no darkness” (1:5).  With that in mind, go take on the day in Him.

Prayer

Lord, I’m so thankful that I possess a life that is eternal that can never be taken away.  But it’s sad when I realize that I continue to distrust You and doubt Your promises—forgive me.  I’m once again reminded today that Your providence is real, and that I can truly trust in Your guidance of my life.  Thank You.

 Bible Reading for Today: John 11

Lunch Break Study

Read  Esther 6:5-6: His attendants answered, “Haman is standing in the court.” “Bring him in,” the king ordered. 6 When Haman entered, the king asked him, “What should be done for the man the king delights to honor?” Now Haman thought to himself, “Who is there that the king would rather honor than me?” (Remember that the king had in mind Mordecai, Haman’s enemy.)

Luke 14:7-11: When [Jesus] noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable: 8 “When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. 9 If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. 10 But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all the other guests. 11 For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Question to Consider

1. What do Haman and the guests who picked the places of honor at the table have in common?
2. What is the lesson of the parable, and how would it have helped Haman?
3. What makes us act like Haman and these guests? How are you doing with humility?

Notes

1. Both assumed that they were better than others, thus they felt entitled to a better treatment.
2. This lesson about humility will save you from a ton of embarrassment. If Haman would have understood this parable, he would have asked the king whom he had in mind to honor before simply assuming that he, himself, was the man the king wanted to honor.  Lack of humility and wanton assumption always go hand-in-hand.
3. A sense of entitlement: for some, it takes no more than a mere college degree to feel like they are so much better than others. Just take Christ’s advice: stay humble and don’t assume that you are the most decorated and educated person in the room—you are not!

Evening Reflection

God’s providence often seems accidental or coincidental. But it is when our favorable circumstances are seen through the eyes of faith in a personal God that we come to realize that it was God after all.  As you look back to today, was there a moment (however insignificant of a matter) in which you sensed that it was God who was favoring you once again?  Reflect.  Thank Him.

Editor’s Note: The AMI Quiet Times from Nov. 30-Dec. 3 are provided by Pastor Ryun Chang.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Esther 5:10-14

Nevertheless, Haman restrained himself and went home, and he sent and brought his friends and his wife Zeresh. 11 And Haman recounted to them the splendor of his riches, the number of his sons, all the promotions with which the king had honored him, and how he had advanced him above the officials and the servants of the king. 12 Then Haman said, “Even Queen Esther let no one but me come with the king to the feast she prepared. And tomorrow also I am invited by her together with the king. 13 Yet all this is worth nothing to me, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king’s gate.” 14 Then his wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, “Let a gallows fifty cubits (75 feet) high be made, and in the morning tell the king to have Mordecai hanged upon it. Then go joyfully with the king to the feast.”  This idea pleased Haman, and he had the gallows made.       

After the end of a long drive from Philadelphia to Houston to take my youngest child to college, it was nice to sit in a cool auditorium, listening to several speakers in a program called “New Families Orientation.”  As was customary, before the speakers approached the podium, the master of the ceremony read off a long of list of their academic pedigrees and accomplishments.   Although it wasn’t quite the same sensation as seeing a Harvard Medical School diploma hung on the office of my new doctor, knowing that these speakers weren’t “hacks” put me at ease.

Now, what Haman did here isn’t all that different from what took place in that Houston auditorium—recounting all his accomplishments and pedigrees.   He was wealthy, had a large family of many sons, and was sitting on the top of the Persian bureaucratic totem pole.  The icing on the cake was Queen Esther’s preferential treatment of him.  The difference between the two, of course, is huge: while the praise of the speakers came from another person, Haman was busy praising himself.  Solomon quipped, “Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; someone else, and not your own lips” (Proverbs 27:2).

A practical reason for not praising oneself is to avoid embarrassment; something may happen that would pull the rug from under the very thing you felt proud of.  For Haman, whose fortune would soon take a nosedive, this meant leading Mordecai, “on horseback through the city streets, proclaiming . . ., ‘This is what is done for the man the king delights on honor’” (Esther 6:11).  Another reason why some people praise themselves is because no one would compliment them for the hard work they have done.  Since human nature does need some positive reinforcement, we should heed what Paul said: “They have refreshed my spirit and yours also.  Such men deserved recognition” (1 Cor. 16:18).  But a spiritual reason for not praising ourselves is because self-praise diminishes God’s glory, as if our ability or spirituality keyed our success.

Do you find yourself praising yourself too much, hoping that people would approve of you then?  Maybe you aren’t spending enough time alone with God.  Be approved by Him, because Jesus found you worthy enough to die to save you.

Prayer

Lord, I lift Your glorious Name on high for Your kindness.  Please open wide my prideful eyes so that I may see what is really going on in my life .  Help me to respond quickly in humility and repentance, rather than to wait a long time to make things right with You.  Amen.

 Bible Reading for Today: John 10

Lunch Break Study

In the morning, we examined the vanity of Haman; this afternoon we will deal with his penchant for violence (killing all Jews on account of one Jew, and to kill him on gallows 75 feet tall).

Read Judges 9:47, 48b-54

Abimelech was told that all the leaders of the Tower of Shechem were gathered together. 48 . . . And Abimelech took an axe in his hand and cut down a bundle of brushwood and took it up and laid it on his shoulder. And he said to the men who were with him, “What you have seen me do, hurry and do as I have done.” 49 So every one of the people cut down his bundle and following Abimelech put it against the stronghold, and they set the stronghold on fire over them, so that all the people of the Tower of Shechem also died, about 1,000 men and women. 50 Then Abimelech went to Thebez and encamped against Thebez and captured it. 51 But there was a strong tower within the city, and all the men and women and all the leaders of the city fled to it and shut themselves in, and they went up to the roof of the tower. 52 And Abimelech came to the tower and fought against it and drew near to the door of the tower to burn it with fire. 53 And a certain woman threw an upper millstone on Abimelech’s head and crushed his skull. 54 Then he called quickly to the young man his armor-bearer and said to him, “Draw your sword and kill me, lest they say of me, ‘A woman killed him.’” And his young man thrust him through, and he died.

Question to Consider

1. In what ways are Haman and Abimelech similar in how they lived and died?
2. What fuels (thoughts, ideas, etc.) such violence?
3. While we may not be that violent, what are some ways through which we show contempt for others? Are you having any issue with anyone at the moment?  Are you concocting a plan to do something about it?  How can you turn that negativity into something positive?

Notes

1. Evidently, both men had no regard for human life. To get what they wanted, killing became a necessary and rational means to go after it.
2. A low view of life certainly is a necessary rationale for a total disregard for human life. This low view stems from denying that each human is created by God in His own image with a special purpose.   Haman and Abimelech saw men as being no different from insects or mammals.
3. I think a common weapon deployed to show our contempt for people whom we dislike is telling half-truths or lies about them. While we aren’t physically killing anyone, we are destroying their reputation and maligning their character.   The best way to turn that negativity into something positive is this: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matt. 5:44).

Evening Reflection

Jesus says, “Anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. . . . Anyone who say, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell” (Matt. 5:22).  Okay, fess up before going sleep: to whom did you get angry?  Was it your spouse or child?  Ask the Lord to give you the motivation and strength to mend this relationship—then just obey Him!

Editor’s Note: The AMI Quiet Times from Nov. 30-Dec. 3 are provided by Pastor Ryun Chang.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Esther 5:9

And Haman went out that day joyful and glad of heart. But when Haman saw Mordecai in the king’s gate, that he neither rose nor trembled before him, he was filled with wrath against Mordecai.

(Esther 3:2, 5: And all the king’s servants who were at the king’s gate bowed down and paid homage to Haman . . . but Mordecai did not bow down or pay homage. . . . And when Haman saw that Mordecai did not bow down or pay homage to him, Haman was filled with fury.)

In 597, Pope Gregory the Great sent Augustine of Canterbury (not St. Augustine of Hippo) along with forty monks to Great Britain in hopes of evangelizing the Anglo-Saxons who lived there.   But upon arrival, seeing buildings with crosses, they realized that someone had already beaten them to it.  No one knows who first evangelized the Anglo-Saxons, but their church was known as the “Celtic Church” (which earlier produced the great missionary St. Patrick in the 5^th century).   In time, Augustine, after learning about this church, insisted that the Celtic Christians adopt the Catholic way (e.g., celebrating Easter on the Sunday following Passover instead of on the day of Passover).  In an important meeting in which the two sides were to talk, it is believed that Augustine—the pope’s deputy no less—greatly offended the Celtic delegation when he refused to get up to greet them.  Suffice it to say, they were off to rocky start.

It’s stunning that what triggered Haman the Amalekite (1 Sam. 15:20; Esther 3:1) to plot an empire-wide genocide (from Ethiopia to India) was that he felt slighted by Mordecai, who didn’t greet him—which was likely motivated by God’s stance against the Amalekites (Deut. 25:17-9).

Thereafter, “having learned who Mordecai’s people were, he scorned the idea of killing only Mordecai.  Instead Haman looked for a way to destroy all . . . Jews” (Esther 3:6).   Haman’s over-the-top reaction certainly gives a new meaning to the punishment-not-fitting-the-crime.

So, what drives people like Haman and Augustine to act so entitled?  Certainly, pride is a factor.  Can you imagine Donald Trump greeting anyone first?  For others, it may be an extreme case of shyness or fear that the other person won’t reciprocate the greeting.   Personally, my favorite excuse is, “I don’t know that person very well.”

What is often overlooked in our reading of Paul’s epistles is how he begins them with a hearty greeting: “To the churches in ______: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”  It is such a simple, courteous gesture that can mean so much—particularly to those feeling lonely.  So, let us “greet the brothers with a holy kiss” (like in Mexico).   Now, if no one greets you first, don’t get mad; instead, you greet them first.  Shalom.

Prayer

Father, I exalt and magnify Your wonderful Name.  Forgive me for my prideful attitude of expecting others to greet me and thank me first. Lord, help me to be authentic and humble. Amen.

 Bible Reading for Today: John 9

Lunch Break Study

Read Matt. 23:5-7:  They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long, 6 and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues 7 and greetings in the marketplaces and being called rabbi by others.

 Luke 18:11: The Pharisees stood up and prayed about himself:  “God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evil doers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector.  I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.”

Phil. 2:4b: . . . in humility consider others better than yourselves.

Question to Consider

1. Why do you suppose the Pharisees expected to be greeted first?
2. What is the greatest antidote for the kind of bad attitude embodied by the Pharisees?
3. Think about three people whom you can greet right now, whether through e-mail, text, or phone.

Notes

1. They truly believed that they were better than everyone else; that is, God loved and approved of them more because of their many religious activities. That became part of their entitled mentality which led them to expect and demand respect from people
2. Considering others better than ourselves is a lot easier said than done since, on paper, some are better than others. How do we do this?  In 1 Cor. 8:11, Paul says, “…this weak brother, for whom Christ died.”  Isn’t that enough of a reason?  But if you are a boss, this doesn’t necessarily mean that you hire or promote individuals who aren’t as prepared or competent as others; rather, it would mean that you would treat them with dignity and courtesy.
3. Personal response.

Evening Reflection

Was it another busy day today and did you run into a lot of people?  How was your greeting?  Did you greet first, or did you wait for the other person to greet you first?  Ask the Lord to give you the strength and motivation to say “Shalom” to everyone you meet and that Christ’s love will shine through you. Though it may seem like a small matter, it can make a world of difference to someone feeling down, alone, and unappreciated.

Editor’s Note: The AMI Quiet Times from Nov. 30-Dec. 3 are provided by Pastor Ryun Chang.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Esther 5:1-8 (ESV)

On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the king’s palace, in front of the king’s quarters, while the king was sitting on his royal throne inside the throne room opposite the entrance to the palace. 2 And when the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, she won favor in his sight, and he held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand. Then Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter. 3 And the king said to her, “What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? It shall be given you, even to the half of my kingdom.” 4 And Esther said, “If it please the king, let the king and Haman come today to a feast that I have prepared for the king.” 5 Then the king said, “Bring Haman quickly, so that we may do as Esther has asked.” So the king and Haman came to the feast that Esther had prepared. 6 And as they were drinking wine after the feast, the king said to Esther, “What is your wish? It shall be granted you. And what is your request? Even to the half of my kingdom, it shall be fulfilled.” 7 Then Esther answered, “My wish and my request is: 8 If I have found favor in the sight of the king, and if it please the king to grant my wish and fulfill my request, let the king and Haman come to the feast that I will prepare for them, and tomorrow I will do as the king has said.

Some might question: “Esther, should you be hosting back-to-back dinner parties when life and death of hundreds and thousands of your people is hanging in the balance?”  To fault Esther for her alleged indifference is no different than questioning the sanity of King Solomon for ordering that the baby in dispute, between two women claiming to be his mother, be cut in two so that each could have half (1 Kings 3:24).  Rest assured that Esther was not only valiant (“If I perish, I perish”), but she was also wise, much like Solomon who knew that the real mother would rather lose the baby than let him be sawed in two.

Esther knew that if you’re going to ask someone for a favor, especially the one with the power to put you to death at the slightest whim (4:11), you “butter him up” first!  While that slang doesn’t necessarily have a nice ring to it, if the goal is to save innocent lives, why stop at one dinner party?  Esther, being unsure of how the king would respond to her request to save the Jews, tried to move his heart by first satisfying his stomach—and she spared no expenses in providing the most sumptuous feast.  She had Haman be present so that if and when the king saw her way, the judgment against the man who plotted genocide against her people would be immediate and swift.

Wisdom is so valued by Solomon that he, under the Spirit’s inspiration, tells us to obtain it from all sources, including insects:  “Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise.  Without having any chief, officer, ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest” (Prov. 6:6-8).  Evidently, one key component to being wise is anticipation.  Thus, you don’t spend all you earn at once; instead, you save some of it for a rainy day and old age.

Also, learn this from Esther: If you’re asking someone to do you a favor, starting with an appreciative tone always helps.  And if you need to correct someone, use a magnifying glass to find something positive to share first, before reprimanding the person.

Prayer

Jesus, I exalt You this morning because You are my Lord and Savior.  In Your infinite wisdom, You created the world (Prov. 8) in which I live.  Please impart to me Your wisdom so that I may live prudently in this world with the hopes that people will desire You through how I live.  Amen.

 Bible Reading for Today: John 8

Lunch Break Study

Read James 1:5:  If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

Proverbs 4:7-8: The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom and whatever you get, get insight.
8 Prize her highly, and she will exalt you; she will honor you if you embrace her;

Proverbs 19:20: Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future.

Proverbs 23:4 (NIV 1984): Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint; 9:8-9a: Do not rebuke a mocker or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man and he will love you.  Instruct a wise man and he will be wider still . . .

Questions to Consider

1. We have all seen smart and powerful people make stupid mistakes that eventually cost their careers (e.g., former New York governor, Elliot Spitzer). Based on James 1:5 and Proverbs 4:7-8, how would you appraise the importance of wisdom?
2. What is one source of gaining wisdom? Conversely, what is one attitude that will ensure that we stay unwise?
3. What are some ways we can be wise in our everyday lives?

Notes

1. Without wisdom, we can lose all that we have ever worked for in a moment’s notice. Actually, the downward spiral was in the works for a time before the house of cards (a.k.a., unwise life) tumble down to the ground.  Wisdom can keep that from happening.
2. Taking the advice of those who have travelled the same road that we are about to take. This indicates that we are at least aware of our own lack and inadequacy.  Conversely, “I-already-know-it-all” attitude ensures that we’ll make the same mistakes that others have made.
3. Regarding accumulating wealth: we will show restraint, thus leaving time for pursuing other things like spiritual life, family, exercise, etc; regarding taking advice: we will take it instead of refusing it.

Evening Reflection

In evaluating today, was it a day that was lived out in wisdom?  What made it so?   How did the Spirit help you in that regard?  Perhaps, it wasn’t: what could you have said or done differently?  Ask the Lord to give you wisdom for tomorrow?

Editor’s Note: The AMI Quiet Times for today are provided by Pastor David Kwon of JCC.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Esther 5:9-14

And Haman went out that day joyful and glad of heart. But when Haman saw Mordecai in the king’s gate, that he neither rose nor trembled before him, he was filled with wrath against Mordecai. [10] Nevertheless, Haman restrained himself and went home, and he sent and brought his friends and his wife Zeresh. [11] And Haman recounted to them the splendor of his riches, the number of his sons, all the promotions with which the king had honored him, and how he had advanced him above the officials and the servants of the king. [12] Then Haman said, “Even Queen Esther let no one but me come with the king to the feast she prepared. And tomorrow also I am invited by her together with the king. [13] Yet all this is worth nothing to me, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king’s gate.” [14] Then his wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, “Let a gallows fifty cubits high be made, and in the morning tell the king to have Mordecai hanged upon it. Then go joyfully with the king to the feast.” This idea pleased Haman, and he had the gallows made.

“True humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less.”  ― C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

As we have been reading the story of Esther, one of the most pivotal characters in the story is Mordecai.  He was the one who raised Esther, and he was there for her to give advice in the face of evil.  There are many adjectives we can use to describe him, but one characteristic that stands out is—his humility. He was never impressed by the riches of royalty or desired to take any credit for Esther’s plan to expose Haman, but rather, we see a man who sincerely wanted to obey the Lord and to honor God by doing what was right.   He completely understood the providence of God and his potential role in it if he remained faithful.  Anyone in his position could have taken the glory for his plan to thwart Haman, but rather, he seemed to always respond in humble obedience.

Haman, on the other hand, was a man who was full of himself and consumed with pride. And he thought that he had won both the king and the queen to his side for his plan to annihilate the Jewish people.  Haman was right in his own eyes, and he also demanded respect from the people who were under him (v.9).

This is an important lesson for us because God always opposes the proud and exalts the humble.  The apostle Peter would also make note of this principle: “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you” (1 Peter 5:6).  How are you doing in the area of humility?  C.S. Lewis says it best: “As long as you are proud you cannot know God. A proud man is always looking down on thing and people: and, of course, as long as you are looking down you cannot see something that is above you” (Mere Christianity).

One practical way we can grow in the area of humility is by fearing the Lord. Fearing is not an unhealthy emotion, like being scared; but rather it is being in a state of awe and wonder.  It starts with worship and seeing God for who He is.  So this morning, spend time in worship.  As we do, we will decrease and He will increase.

Prayer:  Lord, I want to be a person who walks in humility.  Help me to overcome areas of pride by being in awe of You.  You are the only one worthy of my worship and praise.

 Bible Reading for Today: John 7

Editor’s Note: The AMI Quiet Times for today are provided by Pastor David Kwon of JCC.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Esther 5:1-8

On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the king’s palace, in front of the king’s quarters, while the king was sitting on his royal throne inside the throne room opposite the entrance to the palace. [2] And when the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, she won favor in his sight, and he held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand. Then Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter. [3] And the king said to her, “What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? It shall be given you, even to the half of my kingdom.” [4] And Esther said, “If it please the king, let the king and Haman come today to a feast that I have prepared for the king.” [5] Then the king said, “Bring Haman quickly, so that we may do as Esther has asked.” So the king and Haman came to the feast that Esther had prepared. [6] And as they were drinking wine after the feast, the king said to Esther, “What is your wish? It shall be granted you. And what is your request? Even to the half of my kingdom, it shall be fulfilled.” [7] Then Esther answered, “My wish and my request is: [8] If I have found favor in the sight of the king, and if it please the king to grant my wish and fulfill my request, let the king and Haman come to the feast that I will prepare for them, and tomorrow I will do as the king has said.”

We live in a culture where we do not like to wait.  Everything is instant. You no longer have to wait until you get home to know if someone called or wait to find information on a certain subject because of the Internet. You can watch entire episodes of television shows in one sitting.  One newspaper said it best:

“The demand for instant results is seeping into every corner of our lives, and not just virtually. Retailers are jumping into same-day delivery services. Smartphone apps eliminate the wait for a cab, a date, or a table at a hot restaurant. Movies and TV shows begin streaming in seconds. But experts caution that instant gratification comes at a price: It’s making us less patient.”  – Boston Globe

When Esther hears about the evil plot of Haman to annihilate the Jewish people, with help of Mordecai, she comes up with her own plan.  She decides to talk to the king, which was risky because she knew that if she approached the king uninvited, he could have ended her life.  Determined, she tells the king that she has prepared a feast for him, and she wishes that Haman would come join them (v.4).  In her planning, Esther demonstrated wisdom and did not hurry the process but rather waited on the Lord’s timing.  She was not rash or impatient.  She did not rush to the king or sell out Haman right away.  Her self-control and boldness once again demonstrates her confidence in the Lord.  Here are a few lessons for us today:

1. As we plan our lives, we should wait upon the Lord to guide us. There is nothing wrong with planning out our own lives but as we do, we need to trust and wait on the Lord to discern His will.  As we face decisions, wait for Him, and ask for clarity and wisdom.  As we wait, spend time in prayer and the Word.  Ask other people for wise counsel.  Proverbs 19:21, “Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.”

2. When working through an unpleasant situation, trust the Lord for enduring patience. Think of the patience Esther must have had to refrain from telling the king about Haman when she had him in the very palm of her hand.  In situations that are unpleasant, timing is as important as action, sometime more so.  Have patience.  Wait for the Lord to show you the way.

Prayer:  Lord, as I face various decisions and plans in my future, help me to wait upon You.  Help me to have patience and self-control, as I desire to hear Your voice.  Amen.

 Bible Reading for Today: John 5-6

 

Editor’s Note: The AMI Quiet Times for today are provided by Pastor David Kwon of JCC.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Esther 4

When Mordecai learned all that had been done, Mordecai tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and he cried out with a loud and bitter cry. [2] He went up to the entrance of the king’s gate, for no one was allowed to enter the king’s gate clothed in sackcloth. . . . [9] And Hathach went and told Esther what Mordecai had said. [10] Then Esther spoke to Hathach and commanded him to go to Mordecai and say, [11] “All the king’s servants and the people of the king’s provinces know that if any man or woman goes to the king inside the inner court without being called, there is but one law—to be put to death, except the one to whom the king holds out the golden scepter so that he may live. But as for me, I have not been called to come in to the king these thirty days.”

[12] And they told Mordecai what Esther had said. [13] Then Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, “Do not think to yourself that in the king’s palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews. [14] For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” [15] Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai, [16] “Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my young women will also fast as you do. Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish.” [17] Mordecai then went away and did everything as Esther had ordered him.   

In one of the darkest hours of World War II, Winston Churchill led Great Britain with great, uncompromising courage. In the midst of battle, he said, “Death and sorrow will be the companions of our journey, hardship our garment; constancy our valor and our only shield. We must be united, we must be undaunted, we must be inflexible.”

One of the marks of being a Christian ought to be courageous faith. It is a faith that is bold and goes against human logic in various seasons of our life. That’s what we read about in today’s account.

Mordecai reacts with great emotion when he hears that the personal conflict between himself and Haman has brought the entire Jewish nation into jeopardy. He tears his clothes and puts on sackcloth and ashes in an act of deep mourning and distress. After Esther finds out about this evil plan, she only has a small window of time to make a decision. She decides to act in confidence and determination and take a step of courageous faith to save the Jewish people. Here’s what pastor and author Eugene Peterson says about this account:

“In the face of difficulty, Esther began to move from being a beauty queen to becoming a Jewish saint, from being a sex symbol to being a passionate intercessor, from the busy-indolent life in the harem to the high-risk venture of speaking for and identifying with God’s people.”

Is God calling you to live out your faith courageously? It could be speaking up for Christ in your workplace or taking a step of faith in the area of your finances. Maybe God is asking you to go somewhere to share Christ. God may be preparing you “for such a time as this” to step out in boldness and faith.

Prayer: Lord, help me to live each day with courageous faith. Show me the areas of my life where you are calling me to leave my comfort zone.

 Bible Reading for Today: John 4

Lunch Break Study

Matthew 14:22-33

            [22] Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. [23] And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, [24] but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. [25] And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. [26] But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. [27] But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”

                  [28] And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” [29] He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. [30] But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” [31] Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” [32] And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. [33] And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Questions to Consider

1. What was the reaction of the disciples when they saw Jesus?
2. How does fear often hinder us from living by great faith?
3. What does the passage say about overcoming our fears?

Notes

1. They were terrified and responded in fear (v.26).
2. When we live in fear, it distorts the power and character of Jesus in our lives. We often make Him too small, which hinders us from living by faith and not by sight.
3. The disciples worshiped the Lord after they acknowledged His power and greatness (v.33). Our worship of Christ will often increase our faith and overcome our fears.

Evening Reflection

Take some time in personal worship through prayer, song, or the Word. Meditate on the promises and truths of God. As you do, ask Him to give you courageous faith.

Editor’s Note: The AMI Quiet Times for today are provided by Pastor David Kwon of JCC.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Psalm 138

I give you thanks, O LORD, with my whole heart before the gods I sing your praise; [2] I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word. [3] On the day I called, you answered me; my strength of soul you increased. [4] All the kings of the earth shall give you thanks, O LORD, for they have heard the words of your mouth, [5] and they shall sing of the ways of the LORD, for great is the glory of the LORD. [6] For though the LORD is high, he regards the lowly, but the haughty he knows from afar. [7] Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and your right hand delivers me. [8] The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.

Happy Thanksgiving! For our devotional today, we want to focus on the topic of gratitude. I recently was reading a blog by KJ Dell’Antonia called “The Kids are Ungrateful”. In this blog, she writes how ungrateful her kids can get. Here is what she writes:

Sometimes I can’t believe how ungrateful kids can be. For example:

• We just booked a great place in the mountains, with a pool (for them, of course), and our 9-year-old says, “I don’t want to drive five hours to get there. It’s boring.”
• If we go out for dinner, they complain about where. Our 5-year-old, when offered a piece of chocolate, invariably complains, “I want a bigger piece,” instead of simply saying “thank you.”

She concludes by saying: “Are people born negative, or can we do something about it? Are all kids this way? Will they grow out of it? It makes me want to stop trying to please them with anything.”

Sadly, the grownups can fall into the trap of ingratitude as well, often complaining about everything. That’s all the more reason, for Christians, “Thanksgiving” should not just be a once a year event; rather, we should constantly lead a lifestyle of gratitude because it shows the genuineness of our faith and salvation.

Living a life of thanksgiving starts by acknowledging that we have been given something we do not deserve, which is the unconditional love and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Let’s ask the Lord to strip us from our barriers of entitlement and self-accomplishment so that our lives would be marked with gratitude.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for the undeserved gift of grace and love that You have poured into our hearts. Help us to always live a life of gratitude despite the unfavorable circumstances in my life. Amen.

 Bible Reading for Today: John 3

Lunch Break Study

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

1. What does Paul exhort his readers to do?
2. Why is this often hard to do?
3. How can we live this kind of lifestyle?

Notes

1. He encourages them to live a life of joy which overflows to thanksgiving
2. We base much of our joy and thanksgiving on our circumstances. As we grow in Christ, our joy and gratitude should come from Christ alone despite the trials and hardships we might face.
3. We need to be rooted in the Word and ask the Holy Spirit to help us in times of joylessness and ingratitude.

Evening Reflection

Spend time thanking the Lord and the many blessings He has given you. It might be family, health, job, or wonderful career opportunities. Most of all, thank Him for the salvation we have in Him and the sacrifice He made on our behalf.

Editor’s Note: The AMI Quiet Times for today are provided by Pastor David Kwon of JCC.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Esther 2:19-23; Esther 3:1-6     

Now when the virgins were gathered together the second time, Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate. [20] Esther had not made known her kindred or her people, as Mordecai had commanded her, for Esther obeyed Mordecai just as when she was brought up by him. [21] In those days, as Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate, Bigthan and Teresh, two of the king’s eunuchs, who guarded the threshold, became angry and sought to lay hands on King Ahasuerus. [22] And this came to the knowledge of Mordecai, and he told it to Queen Esther, and Esther told the king in the name of Mordecai. [23] When the affair was investigated and found to be so, the men were both hanged on the gallows. And it was recorded in the book of the chronicles in the presence of the king.

[3:1] After these things King Ahasuerus promoted Haman the Agagite, the son of Hammedatha, and advanced him and set his throne above all the officials who were with him. [2] And all the king’s servants who were at the king’s gate bowed down and paid homage to Haman, for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai did not bow down or pay homage. [3] Then the king’s servants who were at the king’s gate said to Mordecai, “Why do you transgress the king’s command?” [4] And when they spoke to him day after day and he would not listen to them, they told Haman, in order to see whether Mordecai’s words would stand, for he had told them that he was a Jew. [5] And when Haman saw that Mordecai did not bow down or pay homage to him, Haman was filled with fury. [6] But he disdained to lay hands on Mordecai alone. So, as they had made known to him the people of Mordecai, Haman sought to destroy all the Jews, the people of Mordecai, throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus.

“When pain and suffering come upon us, we finally see not only that we are not in control of our lives but that we never were.” ― Timothy Keller, Walking with God through Pain and Suffering

As we look at the tragedies that are going all around the world, it’s often easy to ask what God’s purpose is in all of it.  Innocent lives lost due to terrorist attacks, wars between countries, school shootings and many other evils that we see and hear about can often be disheartening and often leads us to fear and anxiety in our own lives.

In today’s passage, the author of Esther is revealing the workings of worldly and evil power and how God’s plan cannot be thwarted.  First, Mordecai happens to overhear a plot to assassinate Xerxes but was soon foiled after reporting it to Queen Esther.  It almost sounds like luck that he was at the right place at the right time but we know that this was part of God’s divine plan.  Also, a newly elected official named Haman comes into the story and we read about his evil plot for genocide against the Jewish people.  We are reminded that in the midst of darkness and suffering, God is in absolute control.  So what can we learn from these verses?

1. We need to be aware of spiritual battle – one main lesson we see in Esther is that there is the reality of the kingdom of God and the kingdom of the world. Paul writes in Ephesians 6: 12 – For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.  We are called to fight the spiritual battle in prayer. 

2. We see God’s sovereignty in the midst of injustice—through the assassination plot against Xerxes and Haman’s scheming against the Jewish people. As believers, we are reminded that God is never surprised or caught off guard.  He’s in control and we need to continually trust in Him.

Prayer

Lord, the Cross is proof that you love me even in darkness and hardship.  May you continually remind me of this truth as I strive to obey you.  Amen.

 Bible Reading for Today: John 2

Lunch Break Study

Read Philippians 2:14-16

 Do all things without grumbling or disputing, [15] that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, [16] holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.

Questions to Consider:

1. What does Paul say about believers being blameless? Why do you think he says this?
2. Why is it important to show the world that we are blameless?
3. What are some areas in your life where you desire to be more blameless?

Notes:

1. It means that we should strive not to live a life of hypocrisy but rather we should conduct ourselves worthy of Christ in all that we do. Paul is addressing the Christians in Philippi that one of the main characteristics that Christians should have is that they ought to be blameless and innocent. The word ‘blameless’ means pure or without mixture.
2. We want to shine Christ unto this unbelieving world, and often times it is through our lifestyle that people will see Jesus in us.
3. The only way this is possible is if we are submitted to the Holy Spirit and rooted in the Word of God. Take some time to pray and ask the Lord to search your heart and to remove any areas that might not be considered ‘blameless’ in the eyes of the Lord.  Do not lose heart.  God desires to change us and make us more like him.

Evening Reflection

As you end your day, spend some time acknowledging the greatness of our God and remind yourself that he is control of all things.  Often in the busyness of our daily lives, we tend to forget that God is sovereign and nothing is out of his control even when we face trials.   Worship and ascribe greatness unto Him.