Editor’s Note:  The AMI devotionals from July 6-12 are provided by Cami King, who serves on the church staff of JCC, Raleigh.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

1 Kings 13:1-6

¹ By the word of the Lord a man of God came from Judah to Bethel, as Jeroboam was standing by the altar to make an offering. ² By the word of the Lord he cried out against the altar: “Altar, altar! This is what the Lord says: ‘A son named Josiah will be born to the house of David. On you he will sacrifice the priests of the high places who make offerings here, and human bones will be burned on you.’” ³ That same day the man of God gave a sign: “This is the sign the Lord has declared: The altar will be split apart and the ashes on it will be poured out.”

⁴ When King Jeroboam heard what the man of God cried out against the altar at Bethel, he stretched out his hand from the altar and said, “Seize him!” But the hand he stretched out toward the man shriveled up, so that he could not pull it back. ⁵ Also, the altar was split apart and its ashes poured out according to the sign given by the man of God by the word of the Lord.

⁶ Then the king said to the man of God, “Intercede with the Lord your God and pray for me that my hand may be restored.” So the man of God interceded with the Lord, and the king’s hand was restored and became as it was before.

God’s message through the prophet in this passage is one of judgment. He is rejecting the sacrificial system the king has put in place because it is wicked and idolatrous. Israel had been divided into a Northern and Southern Kingdom (as a result of sin of the former king), with Jerusalem (the place where God’s people worshiped Him) now located in the Southern Kingdom. In fear of losing the allegiance of the people and control over them whenever they went to the South to worship, King Jeroboam erected idols in the Northern Kingdom, called them god, and encouraged the people of God to worship them (in lieu of traveling to Jerusalem to worship). For this he was condemned.

But what exactly did King Jeroboam do wrong (other than the obvious idolatry of constructing golden calves)? He knew it was important to worship God, but he did it in his own way – ignoring the way and even the place God called His people to worship Him. It’s easy for us to think of wickedness as something malicious and sinister – an active and intentional rebelling against what we know to be right or an outright abandonment of the things of God. For most of us, however, wickedness is as simple as doing things our own way, instead of God’s way; that is, doing what seems good to us and right in our eyes, instead of conforming to the thoughts of God and trusting what He says is enough to follow in obedience. It is possible to try to do the “right” things the wrong way.

As we understand our lives as “worship” to God, we want to make sure we are doing things God’s way and not our own way. There are reasons God calls us to live in certain ways – He knows far more than we do and can see consequences and results of our actions that we can’t predict. He is also pure in heart; whereas we are not. When we do what we think is right in our own eyes (especially in opposition to what we know God would have us do), even if we are not outright rejecting God, we are certainly not pleasing Him and will often find ourselves in trouble. May we be eager to honor the Lord fully – doing things His way, because we trust that He truly knows what is best for us.

Prayer: Gracious Father, help me to do things Your way. Help me to know the ways You would have me to walk in any given situation and to trust You enough to obey fully. At work, in my family, in my leisure time, as I make plans for my future – through prayer and knowing Your word – help me to walk in the ways You would have me to go, not merely trying to do good things my way, but truly doing good as I follow You in obedience.

Bible Reading for Today: Hosea 1

Lunch Break Study

Proverbs 3:5-8

⁵ Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
⁶ in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths straight.

⁷ Do not be wise in your own eyes;
    fear the Lord and shun evil.
⁸ This will bring health to your body
    and nourishment to your bones.

Questions to Consider:

1. What is the result of leaning on our own understanding?
2. What do you think it means to be “wise in your own eyes”?
3. Why is the fear of the Lord important in what Solomon calls us to do in these verses?

Notes:

1. Our paths will be crooked. We will not experience true success in our endeavors or the abundant life that God makes available to us when we lean on our own understanding. Because we are so limited in our vision and understanding, we have to completely trust God in our hearts and in our actions.
2. Solomon uses this phrase a lot through the book, and it points to our tendency to do things our own way, thinking that we know best. If we trust that our way is best, especially in opposition to what God prescribes, we will always find ourselves in a bad spot.
3. If we truly fear God – have complete reverence and awe for who He is – it will put us and our ways into perspective. It almost seems silly to rely on our own understanding and trust ourselves more so than we trust the all-knowing and all-powerful God who loves us and will good for us.

 Evening Reflection

Are you a person who understands what it means to fear the Lord? Do you see Him in His greatness and yourself in a proper perspective as a result? How does this reality of who God truly is affect your willingness to do things God’s way in your life? Reflect on the areas in your life where you really struggle to do things God’s way? Pray and ask the Lord to help you fully submit these areas to Him as you learn to fear Him and trust that He not only knows better than you, but only wants the best for you.

Editor’s Note:  The AMI devotionals from July 4-5 are provided by Christine Chang of GCC.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Matthew 6: 30-33 (ESV): But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

A while ago, my dad was away on a teaching trip, and the rest of the family was at home minding their individual affairs.  Suddenly, I heard a conversation occurring downstairs that sounded unusually stressful.  Apparently my brother had been notified that an important document hadn’t been correctly filled out, and the deadline was approaching within the next twelve hours.  The conversation involved my brother and mom frantically trying to figure out a solution, and this continued for several minutes to no avail.

A short while later, I returned to check on the situation, and the atmosphere totally confused me: my brother was watching a movie and my mom was getting ready for bed, as if the code red situation had never taken place.  When asked about whether they figured it out, my mom cheerfully said no.   But, she called my dad and explained the matter, after which it was assured that he would handle it.   The issue remained unresolved, but everyone slept well that night because they trusted that my dad had it under control.

This is an earthly representation of how our dependence on God should be.   Although there seems to always be a reason to worry (especially as adults who age, gain responsibilities, and become more aware of this world), our privilege through the Gospel is to be assured that God is in control and can handle any burden.

But a willing mind isn’t enough to make this happen; rather, true freedom comes from a deep, sustained relationship with Him.   The eastern religions emphasize meditation as the practice of repeating a word or phrase to enter an effortless state of mindlessness.   But Scripture clearly encourages us to actively ponder the works of the Lord, as it states in Matthew 6.  Tim Keller in his book Prayer describes biblical meditation as “spiritually tasting the Scripture–delighting in it, sensing the sweetness of the teaching, feeling the conviction of what it tells us about ourselves, and thanking God and praising God for what it shows us about Him.”   It is only when we discover the character of God in Scripture will we have the faith to trust Him with our burdens.  Today, instead of merely saying “I need more faith” or “I should stop worrying,” let’s spend some time meditating on the Word and seeking His face.  Faith in God will naturally arise from an intentional relationship with Him.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, I thank You that I can absolutely trust in your care and concern for my life.  I love and I praise You for everything but most of all for your Son Jesus Christ.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Philemon 1

Editor’s Note:  The AMI devotionals from July 4-5 are provided by Christine Chang of GCC.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

2 Timothy 4:6-8 (ESV): For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come.  7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

At my brother’s recent college graduation ceremony, a student from his class was chosen to give a speech, and he cheekily compared their school to an assisted living facility: All of your friends are here, everything you need is within a seven minute walk, the food is prepared for you, and eventually, everybody leaves. Some of us are going to a better place, and some of us, myself included, are stepping into the unknown…

While the comparisons are superficially true, his remarks reminded me of when I recently visited a local nursing home, an experience that wildly clashed with my idealistic notions of life as a young adult.   Inside this facility, I encountered so many people whose former lives boasted of prestigious academic degrees and military adventures; calendars brimming with social events and exciting trips.   But now, at the final chapter of their lives, a communal schedule posted in the hallway suggested that the highlight of the day would be afternoon bingo and apple crisp for dessert.  I conversed with a few who could talk, and it was clear that relatives seldom made visits; most of the residents spent entire days planted in the same chair by the same TV screen. I was introduced to a man who was once a successful medical doctor, but could now hardly hold a spoon to his mouth.

As a young adult, it’s easy to dismiss mortality as a far off reality that doesn’t concern me yet.  There are too many personal and professional milestones that seem to separate me from old age and its accompanying side effects.  But rather than denying death until it comes, I’m starting to realize that a healthy acceptance of my earthly end strengthens my hope in the Father, who has promised eternal life for those who believe in His Son Jesus.  In his letter to Timothy, Paul had clearly lived his life with the end in mind; the faithfulness with which he lived his life belonged to someone who knew that his health would one day fail and his earthly accomplishments would fade, but in Christ he would have all that he needs to have true peace and joy beyond the very last day.  For Paul, there was no fear in death.  In fact, it was during his times of imprisonment, when death was a daily possibility, that he grew in boldness for the Gospel.

The college graduate who made that comparison, though meant to be humorous, identified a tendency as humans to obliviously enjoy lives that are artificially stable and predictable.  Instead, let’s follow Paul’s example and acknowledge that life on earth is fleeting but life in Christ is eternal.

Prayer

Lord, help me to count my days so that my remaining time here on earth can be used to extend your kingdom and glorify God.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Revelation 21-22

Editor’s Note:  The AMI devotionals from June 29-July 3 are written by Pastor Ryun Chang.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

1 King 12:16, 25-31: And when all Israel saw that the king did not listen to them, the people answered the king, “What portion do we have in David? We have no inheritance in the son of Jesse. To your tents, O Israel! Look now to your own house, David.” So Israel went to their tents. . . . 25 Then Jeroboam built Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim and lived there. And he went out from there and built Penuel. 26 And Jeroboam said in his heart, “Now the kingdom will turn back to the house of David. 27 If this people go up to offer sacrifices in the temple of the Lord at Jerusalem, then the heart of this people will turn again to their lord, to Rehoboam king of Judah, and they will kill me and return to Rehoboam king of Judah.” 28 So the king took counsel and made two calves of gold. And he said to the people, “You have gone up to Jerusalem long enough. Behold your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.” 29 And he set one in Bethel, and the other he put in Dan. 30 Then this thing became a sin, for the people went as far as Dan to be before one. 31 He also made temples on high places and appointed priests from among all the people, who were not of the Levites.

People used to like Justin Bieber, Lindsay Lohan, and Miley Cyrus—especially when they, as young pups with major talents, broke into show business.  The young Jeroboam had some major talents as well—not in song and dance, but in military exercise. So, “when Solomon saw how well the young man did his work, he put him in charge of the whole labor force” (11:28).  Even God, through a prophet, told Jeroboam, “I am going to tear the kingdom out of Solomon’s hand and give you ten tribes” (31).

For Miley, opting for a bad girl image is a calculated career move.  The famed singer Dolly Parton said regarding her godchild, “[Miley] was very proud of the work she did as Hannah Montana, but people were gonna leave her there forever. And she was just smotherin’ and chokin’ in it.  So she felt she had to do something completely drastic.  And she did.”  Her makeover has been so successful that adding “See Miley Cyrus” next to the word “raunchy” in the new edition of Webster’s Dictionary wouldn’t be a surprise.

Jeroboam also made an “astute” career move.  Liking the feeling of being in charge, he completely destroyed the spiritual foundation of Israel by instituting a counterfeit religion; while doing so, he showed no fear of God.  After changing the place of worship from Jerusalem to Bethel and Dan, Jeroboam told the people to worship golden calves.  He then opened the priesthood to everyone even though God had limited that just to the Levites.

Miley Cyrus is purposely going “bad” so she can do anything that Hanna Montana wouldn’t do, but what about Jeroboam?  Fearing that he may lose his kingdom, Jeroboam went “bad” in order to keep his subjects from offering annual sacrifices in Jerusalem (i.e., enemy territory).  Displaying some talent in acting as well, Jeroboam, in pretense, said to the people, “It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem.”

What about you?  Do you want God’s approval or man’s accolades?  For those who no longer fear God in order to go after their desires, one word of warning: it will not end well (14:12-3).  Repent and cease your reckless pursuit of your wanton desire.  Choose God.

Prayer

Father, the lure of the world is real and palpable; it’s everywhere!  Put the fear of God in me so that I would think twice before stepping into the traps of the enemy.  Help me to love You more.  May the Spirit fill me each day so that I have the power to love God and say no to sin.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Revelation 20

Lunch Break Study

Read Genesis 3:1-6: Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made.  He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” 2 And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, 3 but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’” 4 But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. 5 For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” 6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate.

Question to Consider

1. Like all of us, Jeroboam was a son of Adam. What did he learn from the first man?  In what ways are their acts similar?
2. In what ways are the consequences of their actions similar (both personal and collective senses)?
3. Examine the manners in which you go about getting what you need or want. Are you more like “shameless” Cyrus Miley or “lawless” (breaking all rules) Jeroboam?

Notes

1. Both of them, in order to go after their desires, totally ignored God and His word. They couldn’t claim ignorance since they were well aware of God’s clear instructions.  In short, they had no fear of God.
2. At the personal level, their actions greatly injured them—Adam and Eve were banished from the garden while Jeroboam’s family paid a dear price for his sin. At the collective level, their sin affected the rest of the people in their world. Through Adam, sin entered the world, making everyone sinful from the outset; through Jeroboam (922-01), the Israelites in the Northern Kingdom were introduced to idolatry which would last until its eventual demise in 721 B.C.
3. Personal response.

 Evening Reflection

As you wrap up this busy day, reflect on how the day went.  Did you do anything “shameful” (thinking that it was funny or amusing) to get on the good side of the people?  Did you compromise your beliefs just so that you won’t be persecuted for what you believe?  Paul says in 2 Tim. 3:12, “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”  Pray for God’s strength to live a life worthy of the cross.

Editor’s Note:  The AMI devotionals from June 29-July 3 are written by Pastor Ryun Chang.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

1 King 12:3-7: Rehoboam went to Shechem, for all Israel had come to Shechem to make him king. 2 And as soon as Jeroboam the son of Nebat heard of it (for he was still in Egypt, where he had fled from King Solomon), then Jeroboam returned from Egypt. 3 And they sent and called him, and Jeroboam and all the assembly of Israel came and said to Rehoboam, 4 “Your father made our yoke heavy. Now therefore lighten the hard service of your father and his heavy yoke on us, and we will serve you.” 5 He said to them, “Go away for three days, then come again to me.” So the people went away. 6 Then King Rehoboam took counsel with the old men, who had stood before Solomon his father while he was yet alive, saying, “How do you advise me to answer this people?”

The oft-repeated saying, “He who thinketh he leadeth and has no one following him is only taking a walk,” is attributed to John Maxwell, the author of several books on leadership, such as Developing the Leader within You and The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership. His unmistakable assumption: a leader is the one who leads those who follow or serve him and his vision.

However, the advice given to King Rehoboam by those elders who had served his father Solomon, was antithetical to that thesis: “If you will be a servant to this people today and serve them, and speak good words to them when you answer them, then they will be your servants forever” (v.7). What a revolutionary concept— particularly in view of the fact that Israel was monarchy in which the kings held absolute power over everything!

In effect, the elders inverted Maxwell’s saying: “He who thinks he’s only taking a walk but has people following him, is leading.” Their advice was for Rehoboam to think less about leading but more on serving the people who, upon seeing his example, would then gladly follow him. It’s amazing that the concept of servant leadership, the one that Christ expounded on the night of his betrayal—“I have set you an example that you should de as I have done for you” (Jn. 13:15)—was ably articulated by the ancients operating under monarchy.

In response, Rehoboam, showing that he was more interested in being a leader than leading (through serving), “rejected the advice” (v.8). Opting to follow a different advice given by those “young men who had grown up with him” (v.10), the king said to the people, “My father made your yoke heavy; I will make it even heavier. My father scourged you with whips; I will scourge you with scorpions” (v.14). This didn’t end well: the nation of Israel was now irreparably divided.

How is your leadership at work, home or church? Don’t be like this elder whose opening remark to the youths at an informal meeting was, “Be quiet, I need respect right now.” Instead, serve the people first. Before telling others what to do, do it yourself. Some may take advantage of it, but others may want to imitate you.  Lead by examples of servanthood.

Prayer

Dear Jesus, how often I forget that You came to serve, not to be served. On the contrary, how often I seek to lead by words but rarely by my actions. Lord, please change me so that my lifestyle truly reflects the One who gave “his life as a ransom for many.”  Thank You. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Revelation 19

Lunch Break Study

Read Matt. 20:20-8: Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to him with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something. 21 And he said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Say that these two sons of mine are to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.” 22 Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?” They said to him, “We are able.” 23 He said to them, “You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” 24 And when the ten heard it, they were indignant at the two brothers. 25 But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 26 It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever would be first among you must be your slave,28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Question to Consider

1. What do you think Mrs. Zebedee was thinking while making the request on her sons’ behalf?
2. Why do you think the rest of the disciples were upset upon finding out this request?
3. What is the unmistakable message of Jesus to his men? What about to you?

Notes

1. Like most mothers, she thought the world of her sons, which naturally led her to believe that John and James were best qualified for the top cabinet position in what she believed was going to be the restored and autonomous kingdom of Israel.
2. They were probably indignant for two reasons: first, feeling slighted that those three thought that they were somehow better than the rest; two, John and James might have gotten ahead of them in being considered for the top position.
3. Jesus’ message: “My kingdom, because it isn’t like that of the world, doesn’t operate by the same principles. The people of the world lead by power and authority; but in my kingdom, those who seek to lead do so through yielding, serving and self-sacrifice.

 

Evening Reflection

Every day, we are being confronted by many situations that call for leadership—including seeing trash on the side of road. What sort of situations did you face today? How did you respond? Did you heed to the advice of the “elders” or the “young men”? Wrap up this day through reflecting on the example set for us by Jesus Christ. Ask the Lord to help you to emulate him daily.

Editor’s Note:  The AMI devotionals from June 29-July 3 are written by Pastor Ryun Chang.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

1 King 11:14, 23, 26, 40:  And the Lord raised up an adversary against Solomon, Hadad the Edomite. He was of the royal house in Edom. . . . 23 God also raised up as an adversary to him, Rezon the son of Eliada, who had fled from his master Hadadezer king of Zobah. . . .  26Jeroboam the son of Nebat, an Ephraimite of Zeredah, a servant of Solomon, whose mother’s name was Zeruah, a widow, also lifted up his hand against the king. . . . 40 Solomon sought therefore to kill Jeroboam.  But Jeroboam arose and fled into Egypt, to Shishak king of Egypt, and was in Egypt until the death of Solomon.

Larry Dean, having grown up poor, worked hard to build his own software company, but he later sold it for a cool $68 million.  With that, Dean built a 68 acre estate consisting of a Moroccan theater, a Hawaii-art gallery, 24-karat-gold sinks, 15 bedrooms, 13 fireplaces, a 24-seat dining room, and an 18-hole golf course worth $40 million. He wanted to establish a family compound where the Deans could watch their children and grandchildren grow up.  Nevertheless, Dean’s mansion paled in comparison to the magnificent palace that took King Solomon 13 years to build for himself (1 King 7:1).

To us, this is the dream life—a cavernous mansion with all the amenities at your finger tips.  But would you really want to trade your present life with theirs?  You might be tempted to say yes in a heartbeat, but upon a closer examination, making that deal is akin to trading away eating “a dry morsel with quiet,” with “a house full of feasting with strife” (Prov. 17:1); it is like trading away “a dinner of herbs where love is,” with “a fattened ox and hatred with it” (15:17).

Solomon always had plenty to eat but rarely got a good night’s rest.  How could he when adversaries—like Hadad, Rezon, and Jeroboam—constantly arose to take him out of the throne?  Even worse, God was allowing it to happen as a disciplinary measure against the profligate Solomon.   As for Dean, he didn’t fare too well either.  After only1½ years, a marital separation ensued, and Mrs. Dean and their four children left the estate.   Then, disliking living alone in a big house, Dean moved to an apartment above the garage.  He quipped, “I’d say this was a big mistake.”  The saying, “The grass is always greener on the other side,” seems true until you get closer to see that the grass is spray-painted green!

Even as you strive to be upwardly mobile, “learn[] the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want” (Phil. 4:12).  How?  Cultivate such an intimate relationship with Christ that that becomes what truly matters in life.  When we live in His presence, our social status, the amount of our paycheck or the value of our house won’t matter as much.   Seek God.

Prayer

O the great and mighty God, I exalt and glorify You today.  There is no one like You in this universe, for You are magnificent and majestic.  It is You whom I need and I desire.  Lord, help me to put my gaze upon You instead of the fleeting and temporary things of the world.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Revelation 18

Lunch Break Study

Read Col. 3:2: Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

Phil. 4:19: And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

1 Tim. 5:6-8: But godliness with contentment is great gain, 7 for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world.  8 But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.

Ps. 84:10: For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness.

Question to Consider

1. Ultimately, what causes us to feel that the grass is always greener on the other side?
2. I think the secret of being content begins with a certain mindset. Based on above passages, what are some building blocks for this attitude?
3. Being content doesn’t mean we stop striving to improve our situation. What is the key to maintaining a balance between these seemingly opposing forces?

Notes

1. Setting our minds on things that are on earth means that we continue to fix our eyes on what people in the media and Madison Avenue dictate what our needs are to be cool and successful. As long as we don’t have them, it becomes increasingly hard to be content with our present life.
2. First, God always provides to meet our needs; second, anything above food and clothing is a bonus. If we have these, then the minimum requirement for contentment has been met.
3. In our striving to move upward, if we become negligent in worshipping and desiring God, then being content in any and every situation will never materialize. It is the seeking of God during our striving to move upward that restrains its excess.

 Evening Reflection

As you look back to this day, did you experience a momentary discontentment because of what someone just bought, received or wore?  What does that say about you?  How is your worship of the Lord these days?  Reflect on these questions.  Even as you look to move upward, always take time each day to worship Jesus—at the very least, it will keep your priority in order.

Editor’s Note:  The AMI devotionals from June 29-July 3 are written by Pastor Ryun Chang.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

1 King 11:14-22: And the Lord raised up an adversary against Solomon, Hadad the Edomite. He was of the royal house in Edom. 15 For when David was in Edom, and Joab the commander of the army went up to bury the slain, he struck down every male in Edom 16 (for Joab and all Israel remained there six months, until he had cut off every male in Edom). 17 But Hadad fled to Egypt, together with certain Edomites of his father’s servants, Hadad still being a little child. 18 They set out from Midian and came to Paran and took men with them from Paran and came to Egypt, to Pharaoh king of Egypt, who gave him a house and assigned him an allowance of food and gave him land. 19 And Hadad found great favor in the sight of Pharaoh, so that he gave him in marriage the sister of his own wife, the sister of Tahpenes the queen. 20 And the sister of Tahpenes bore him Genubath his son, whom Tahpenes weaned in Pharaoh’s house. And Genubath was in Pharaoh’s house among the sons of Pharaoh. 21 But when Hadad heard in Egypt that David slept with his fathers and that Joab the commander of the army was dead, Hadad said to Pharaoh, “Let me depart, that I may go to my own country.” 22 But Pharaoh said to him, “What have you lacked with me that you are now seeking to go to your own country?” And he said to him, “Only let me depart.”

Freddie Mercury, from the famous rock group Queen, produced some legendary songs such as, “Bohemian Rhapsody” and “We Are the Champions” before succumbing to AIDS at 45. His most thoughtful song, however, was, “There Must Be More to Life Than This.” While decrying about the brokenness of the world caused by hate, Mercury was haunted by death: “What is life, in the end we all must die. There must be more to life than this.” The fact that this was said by someone who reached the pinnacle of success and all that it entails—money, power and fame—is why it shouldn’t easily be dismissed.

In today’s reading, we meet a child who, after seeing every member of his family killed, escaped to a foreign land. But beating all odds, Hadad the Edomite arose to the pinnacle of success, much like Freddie Mercury—while the latter sang for Queen, Hadad married into the family of the Queen of Egypt. Subsequently, Hadad had access to unprecedented privileges and wealth that no foreigner had likely enjoyed before or since. Who but Hadad’s son could have roamed the palace with the sons of Pharaoh? The Pharaoh, therefore, was puzzled when Hadad asked his permission to leave all that behind in order to return to his war ravaged homeland, asking, What have you lacked with me? To the bedazzled Pharaoh to whom life was about power, money and luxury, Hadad responded, “Do let me go”; that is, “There must be more to life than this.”

Sadly, both Hadad and Mercury looked to wrong places to find what they were searching for. Hadad tried to find it in taking back his nation from the Israelites—a noble cause—not realizing that the city of man, as opposed to “the city . . . whose builder and maker is God” (Heb. 11:10 NKJ), does not last. And judging from the fact that Mercury’s funeral service was conducted by a Zoroastrian priest, it is likely that the one who sang about the absurdity of life, never got to entrust his life to the One who overcame death: Jesus Christ.

If you, too, are crushed by the prospect of death, meet Jesus Christ who is able to “free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death” (Heb. 2:14-5).  Believe on him and receive an invitation to the city of God.  Stop building your own city (read career, family, or even ministry) wherein God is not at the center.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I truly thank You for resolving one conflict that no human can find the cure for: death. No words can capture our appreciation for the stunning manner in which You allowed your own Son to die in our place so that we can have everlasting life by believing in Jesus Christ. Thank You!

Bible Reading for Today: Revelation 17

Lunch Break Study

Read  Mark 8:34-8: And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. ³⁵ For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it. ³⁶ For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? ³⁷ For what can a man give in return for his soul? ³⁸ For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”

Luke 12:16-20: And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, 17 and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ 18 And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.”’ 20 But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”

 Question to Consider

1. What does it mean to “gain the whole world” while forfeiting one’s soul?
2. What are some false beliefs that lead us to neglect the matters of our soul?
3. What is the true meaning of life? How can we ascertain it?

 Notes

1. It always means this: we are so caught up with getting ahead, so preoccupied with urgent matters, and focused on getting more that we become negligent in preparing ourselves to meet our Maker at death. Some never get to know God, while those who do know Him don’t do hardly anything to serve His cause.
2. The parable of the rich fool held on to three false beliefs: first, I’ll die when I’m ready; second, I can take my wealth with me when I die; third, everything I own exists to make my life comfortable.
3. The true meaning of life derives from knowing God through Jesus Christ and then to serve Him with total commitment and being generous towards Him.

Evening Reflection

Based on what you did and thought throughout today, would you say that you were living your life from the standpoint of meeting God one day or did you live to build a bigger “barn”? What are some adjustments that you need to make to ensure that the life that you live on earth is truly a life well- lived? Reflect. Pray.

Editor’s Note:  The AMI devotionals from June 29-July 3 are written by Pastor Ryun Chang.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

1 King 11:1-4:

Now King Solomon loved many foreign women, along with the daughter of Pharaoh: Moabite, Ammonite, Edomite, Sidonian, and Hittite women, 2 from the nations concerning which the Lord had said to the people of Israel, “You shall not enter into marriage with them, neither shall they with you, for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods.” Solomon clung to these in love. 3 He had 700 wives, who were princesses, and 300 concubines. And his wives turned away his heart. 4 For when Solomon was old his wives turned away his heart after other gods, and his heart was not wholly true to the Lord his God, as was the heart of David his father.

How many pairs of shoes do you need to adorn your feet?  Imelda Marcos, the wife of former Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos, once owned 2,700 pairs!  How many championship rings do you need to adorn your fingers? Michael Jordan was quite content with three, after which he left the glory of NBA to toil in the minor league baseball—when that pursuit didn’t work out, he “unretired” to win three more rings.

How many wives do you need to satisfy you?  King Solomon, a man known for possessing keen wisdom, ended up with 700 wives and 300 concubines!   Somehow, a man who once asked God for “a discerning heart to . . . distinguish between right and wrong” (1 Ki. 3:9) became the mother of all fools!   The writer is being gracious to Solomon by saying, “Now King Solomon loved many foreign women”— it was more like lusting after them.  The reason why “his heart was not wholly true to the Lord” wasn’t so much because his wives introduced Solomon to foreign gods. Rather, when we lust after things unreservedly, whether they are material things, career accomplishments or relationships, our hearts will soon have no room for God.

Solomon did come back to his senses in old age, realizing the futility of his life pursuits. While writing that “[God] has set . . . eternity in the hearts of men” (Eccles. 3:11), perhaps the king mused, “I had been a fool for trying to fill my yearning for God with accumulation of knowledge, wealth and women” (Eccles. 2:4-9).

One concept that eluded Solomon and continues to elude people today, who typically spend 110% of their income, was the idea of “enough.”  While God does “richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment” (1 Tim. 617), we must never replace God with the wonderful things given to us by Him.  When that happens, we begin the spiritual slide towards one day becoming indifferent to God.  Say “enough” when you have more than enough, and then focus on being “rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share” (1 Tim. 6:18).

Maybe your present struggle is over money, lust, or power; start talking to God about this today.

Prayer

Lord, I praise and exalt You this morning, for You are the most important Entity in my life.  Help me this day to put You first before all things.  Give me the heart and the character to do what is right before your eyes—no matter the cost—in my family, career or finances.

Bible Reading for Today: Revelation 16

Lunch Break Study

Read Joshua 24:15: And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord

Song of Songs 2:15: Catch the foxes for us, the little foxes that spoil the vineyards, for our vineyards are in blossom.

Eph. 4:27: Do not give the devil a foothold.

Question to Consider

1. What is one lesson you can learn from the life of King Solomon from the standpoint that this wise man led a very unwise life for the better part of his adult life?
2. What does living a wise life ultimately come down to, seeing that God’s wisdom doesn’t automatically makes us live wisely?
3. What should we remember when we notice that we are beginning to lust after things?

Notes

1. Just having a lot of wisdom or knowledge doesn’t automatically make us live wisely or maturely. In other words, there is more to living wisely than just having wisdom.
2. What Joshua said to his people before his passing is as true then as it is today: When we are tempted to give into our lust—over another material thing or accomplishment that we don’t need or sexual temptation—we should CHOOSE God!
3. Giving into a small temptation here and there will add up, ultimately ruining the whole garden or life. And that’s how the enemy works: he will begin with a toehold and end up with a body slam. For example, the 30 pounds we gained over a period of 6 months didn’t suddenly happen, but it began by gaining one pound at a time.

 Evening Reflection

Looking back, what were some temptations that you faced today?  Why were you so tempted?  How did you handle them?  If you fell into one, confess your sin and ask God for power to choose that which is wise.  Remember, God does not leave us to fend off these luring temptations alone.  Apostle Paul states, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it” (1 Cor. 10:13).  Take the “way of escape” that He provides!

Editor’s Note:  The AMI QT devotionals from June 20 to 26 are provided by Kate Moon who serves in E. Asia.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

1 Kings 10:23:  “King Solomon was greater in riches and wisdom than all the other kings of the earth.  The whole world sought audience with Solomon to hear the wisdom God had put in his heart.  Year after year, everyone who came brought a gift – articles of silver and gold, robes, weapons and spices, and horses and mules.”

Have you ever just wanted to talk to someone wise?  It seems like the people of Solomon’s day did – enough to make long journeys, bringing caravans of gifts.  They prized wisdom.  Is there an example who we can be challenged by today?

Often in the course of life, we come to points where we simply need wisdom from above.  When facing big decisions, we can try to list the pros and cons of taking this course or that one, looking at the situation from all possible angles.  When we have difficulties in our relationships with others, we wonder what it is that we did wrong: do we need to change or does the other person; do we need to keep giving it a chance or make the hard choice to keep our distance.  But as much as we try to think through problems to figure out the best solution, at the end of the day, we still find ourselves not really knowing what to do.

As believers, our great advantage is that we can take these matters to God in prayer, listen for his “voice,” read His word, and seek His wisdom.  And one of the ways God grants us His wisdom is through the community of believers, by giving us wise people among us, by even granting some in the body of Christ the spiritual gift of the word of wisdom (1 Cor 12:8) for the common good.  Sometimes we can err on the side of seeking people’s help first before seeking God because it is easier to talk to someone than to wrestle with God in prayer.  But sometimes, we need to reach out to someone older and wiser, to seek a mentor, to seek building relationships with people who can speak into our lives, who can share God’s wisdom with us.  Sometimes, building those relationships costs us – time, energy, effort.  Taking a long drive to meet up with someone.  Making time on a precious weekend when we could be out with friends, watching T.V., or simply just sleeping in.  Are we willing?

In the community of Christ, we have people available to us who are willing to share God’s wisdom with us, whether through a message given during a Sunday service, in the counseling office, or over a casual meal.  We don’t have to figure out all life’s problems on our own.  For this, let’s be thankful today and take a lesson from these people of long ago, to be willing to go to some lengths to seek wisdom where it may be found.

Bible Reading for Today: Revelation 15

Editor’s Note:  The AMI QT devotionals from June 20 to 26 are provided by Kate Moon who serves in E. Asia.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

1 Kings 10:8-9:  “How happy your men must be!  How happy your officials, who continually stand before you and hear your wisdom!  Praise be to the LORD your God, who has delighted in you and placed you on the throne of Israel.  Because of the LORD’s eternal love for Israel, he has made you king, to maintain justice and righteousness.”

Because I’m happy (Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof)

Because I’m happy (Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth)

Because I’m happy (Clap along if you know what happiness is to you)

Because I’m happy (Clap along if you feel like that’s what you wanna do)

– lyrics from “Happy” by Pharrell Williams

I love the sequence in Despicable Me 2, perfectly set to this song, when Gru is dancing down the streets because he’s on cloud nine.  His impromptu date with Lucy the night before ended with a kiss on the cheek, and he is happy.  A few scenes later, however, we see the sequence played comically in reverse because circumstances have changed, and it becomes a classic example of the distinction we sometimes make as Christians between “happiness” and “joy.”  We associate happiness with the emotional high so exuberantly depicted here but which is dependent on circumstances, and we say that joy is better because it does not.

Yet J.P. Moreland in his book, The Lost Virtue of Happiness, tells us that the concept of happiness was not always perceived in this way.  He writes, “Here we must examine the classical understanding of happiness proclaimed by Moses, Solomon, Jesus, Aristotle, Plato, the church fathers and medieval theologians, and many more—the understanding that has recently been replaced by ‘pleasurable satisfaction.’ According to the ancients, happiness is a life well lived, a life of virtue and character, a life that manifests wisdom, kindness, and goodness.”

This is the kind of happiness that in today’s passage the Queen of Sheba is attributing to the people who are under the rule of a good and wise king.  Though she has just seen the vast wealth and splendor of Solomon, she interestingly connects his people’s happiness, not to these but instead to how God has given them a just and righteous leader, someone they can trust to maintain these values in their society.

What truly makes us happy?  And how do we strive to bring happiness to others?  For some parents, it may be in providing materially for their families, which is most honorable.  But do we also seek to foster a family environment where wisdom, kindness and goodness reign?  For some leaders, it may be by trying to engage people in exciting projects, taking them from one success to another.  But is our character such that people feel safe under our guidance?  Knowing that they can trust us to make the right decisions?  Let us do the latter without neglecting the former; it is how we may best be able to bring happiness to the people under our care.

Bible Reading for Today: Revelation 13-14