Editor’s Note: The AMI Quiet Times for March 10th-18th are provided by P. Yohan Lee of Radiance Christian Church.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

1 Samuel 17:38-40:

38 Then Saul clothed David with his armor. He put a helmet of bronze on his head and clothed him with a coat of mail, 39 and David strapped his sword over his armor. And he tried in vain to go, for he had not tested them. Then David said to Saul, “I cannot go with these, for I have not tested them.” So David put them off. 40 Then he took his staff in his hand and chose five smooth stones from the brook and put them in his shepherd’s pouch. His sling was in his hand, and he approached the Philistine.

I probably overestimate my courage and commitment to the Lord, but in my younger years, I am convinced that if given the opportunity, I would have gone anywhere for Christ, gone through any type of suffering, even died for Him. Hey, as a cheap, fresh-out-of-college bachelor, my living conditions approached prison-like anyway (dirty, overcrowded, rodent-infested, no food anywhere, etc.)

Something dramatically happened to me between then and now. Now, I am obviously older and certainly more rooted; I have a wife and kids, and I live in a beautiful city, which will one day be the future home of Starfleet Academy. Now, if God asked me to give up seat warmers in my minivan, or cable television, or move to the suburbs, there would be a struggle in my heart to obey. On a more serious note, if I felt the call to serve God in the developing world, my thoughts would immediately jump to the safety and the well-being of my wife and young children.

What happened to me? Did I get soft? Yes, no doubt about it. Is it also true that my life got more complicated and the stakes got higher? Sure. But here is the biggest difference, I like my life now more than I did back then. I like being a dad, a husband, a pastor, where I live, etc. Don’t get me wrong, I liked life in my 20’s, but it doesn’t compare to what I have now.

I think the Bible sets up the David and Goliath narrative to imply that Saul should have fought Goliath, not David. Logically, the only person who would have had a chance against a giant would have been the guy who stood a head taller than everyone else in Israel (1 Sam. 9:2); in fact, David even goes out and fights in Saul’s armor! But before we are quick to label Saul a coward, think about all he had to lose, and ask yourself if you would have fought the nine-foot Goliath.

What stops you from taking risks for the Kingdom? Do you think about all you have to lose? Do you like the life you’ve built up or are building up for yourself? I’m not saying it’s wrong to enjoy life, but at the end of the day, would you rather be a lowly shepherd with God or a king without him?

Prayer

Lord, give me the courage to hold loosely to the things that I have so that I may cling tightly to You. Thank you for the life and existence that I have, but never let these things become an idol for me or a reason to not pursue Your Kingdom.

Bible Reading for Today: Jeremiah 12

Lunch Break Study

Read Joshua 1:6-9

6 Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Right after Moses dies, God commissions Joshua to take his place and to conquer the land God is about to give the Israelites, but before letting him go, he gives the above instructions.

Questions to Consider

1. What do you think Joshua had to fear?
2. Why do you think the Lord chooses this place to insert instructions to keep the law in Joshua’s mind and heart?
3. How does the Lord finally encourage Joshua? (v. 9).

Notes:

1. Joshua succeeded Moses, the founder of Judaism. He is also charged, after 40 years of wandering the desert, to conquer enemy land–pretty intimidating charge.
2. Israel’s success, in fact, its existence is owed to God and God alone. God did not want His people to forget who they were, from where they came, and their charge to be a holy people, during this crowning moment. Also, focusing on God tends to help us forget less fearful things.
3. The last encouragement is God’s promise of His presence.

 Evening Reflection

What are the things that you fear to lose? Do you fear life without the Lord’s presence and power more? Does the Lord’s presence bring you the daily encouragement it is supposed to bring?

Editor’s Note: The AMI Quiet Times for March 10th-18th are provided by P. Yohan Lee of Radiance Christian Church.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

I Sam. 15: 24-31: Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned, for I have transgressed the commandment of the Lord and your words, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice. 25 Now therefore, please pardon my sin and return with me that I may bow before the Lord.”26 And Samuel said to Saul, “I will not return with you. For you have rejected the word of the Lord, and the Lord has rejected you from being king over Israel.” 27 As Samuel turned to go away, Saul seized the skirt of his robe, and it tore. 28 And Samuel said to him, “The Lord has torn the kingdom of Israel from you this day and has given it to a neighbor of yours, who is better than you. 29 And also the Glory of Israel will not lie or have regret, for he is not a man, that he should have regret.” 30 Then he said, “I have sinned; yet honor me now before the elders of my people and before Israel, and return with me, that I may bow before the Lord your God.” 31 So Samuel turned back after Saul, and Saul bowed before the Lord.

About a month ago, my wife asked me my thoughts on the Brian Williams’ scandal, to which I responded with a blank, inquisitive, and ultimately clueless look.  My wife then rebuked me, telling me, “You’ve got to look at more than just sports on the Internet.”  She then proceeded to fill me in on the details of how Williams claimed to have been in a helicopter that was shot down in Iraq in 2003, but over ten years later it was reported that he was not on that helicopter.  He then claimed to be foggy on the details, and how embarrassing this incident was looking for him.

My response after hearing all of this was something to the effect, “Wow, that is unbelievable, but hey, I’ve been there before.”  No, I’ve never been to Iraq or got shot down in a helicopter, but I am ashamed to admit that there have been several times in my life where I have lied to save face.  What’s worse, even when everyone knew I was lying, I continued to lie because perpetuating the lie felt less embarrassing than revealing the truth at that moment.  For example, has your boss ever asked you to do something, but you totally forgot to do it?  Then when she asks if you did it, you respond with a false yes.  Then when she proceeds by asking how it went, you perpetuate the lie by just making stuff up.  Why did you do this?  Because at that moment, the truth now entails not only admitting that you forgot in the first place, but that you just lied to her to save face.  (For the record, I never lie to my current boss.)

When I look at Saul in 1 Sam. 15, I see this guy who is so concerned about saving face that he will say and do just about anything.  When Samuel asks, “Why didn’t you obey the Lord?”  Saul responds, “I have obeyed” (v. 20).  But as Samuel rebukes him for not fully obeying (vv. 22-23), Saul says that “he feared the people” (v. 24). Finally, when Samuel proclaims that the Lord will replace him as king (vv. 28-29), Saul seems more concerned that Samuel attend the feast to “honor him before the elders” (v. 30).  At this point, Saul seems misguided in his priorities, wouldn’t you say?  Instead of being right before the Lord, he wants to look good in front of people.

How about you?  Do you ever fear the thoughts and judgments of people more than you fear the Lord?  Does that fear cause you to act with less than 100% integrity at times?  Today, let’s determine to be people who live in fear of the Lord (not fear of man) and act righteously and blamelessly in what we say and do.

Prayer

Lord, help me to fear You more than I fear people.  Give me integrity of word and deed to speak only truths, even if that means embarrassment to me.  Thank you that You are the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:16).

Bible Reading for Today: Jeremiah 11

Lunch Break Study

Eph. 4:25-32

25Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. 26Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27and give no opportunity to the devil. 28Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. 29Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. 30And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Questions to Consider

1. Concerning words, what are the things Paul tells us not to do?
2. Concerning words, what are the things Paul tells us to do?
3. Who are some people you could “build up” (v. 29) with your words or deeds?

Notes:

1. Paul tells us to put away falsehood/lies (4:25), corrupting talk (4:29), and slander (4:31). These are the specific verbal sins, but of course, there is more than just verbal sin mentioned.
2. Positive words include, speaking the truth (4:25) and building each other up (4:29). And likewise, there are many positive actions and emotions mentioned.
3. Personal application, but please try to think of a specific person.

 Evening Reflection

Where you completely honest and forthright today?  On the positive side, did you have an opportunity to build someone up?  If so, did you take that opportunity?  Has Christ sanctified your pattern of speech, thought, and/or personal integrity in the last few years?

Editor’s Note: The AMI Quiet Times for March 10th-18th are provided by P. Yohan Lee of Radiance Christian Church.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

1 Sam. 15:12: And Samuel rose early to meet Saul in the morning. And it was told Samuel, “Saul came to Carmel, and behold, he set up a monument for himself and turned and passed on and went down to Gilgal.”

Every time I read this passage I think, “What is wrong with Saul? He totally fell off the wagon and is setting up idolatrous images of himself,” similar to Nebuchadnezzar’s statue (Dan. 3) or the golden calf (Ex. 33). In other words, I start to self-righteously judge Saul, thinking, “I could never do such an idolatrous thing like that.” But as I read this passage more carefully, I realize that the Bible never says that this monument was supposed to function as a center of idolatry, worshiping Saul. It simply says a “monument for himself.” It could have simply been a pile of rocks celebrating his victory over the Amalekites. In that light, I realized that not only do I set up monuments for myself, but our society is preoccupied with self-monuments. Think about it: Why do people write their names in wet concrete? Why do teenagers who are “in love” carve their names together in trees? Why are Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, etc. so popular? Why does every architect dream of designing a New York skyscraper? I could go on and on.

Maybe I am being too philosophical, but I think our fascination with building monuments has something to do with man’s inner desire to last forever. We know we are mortal, but we don’t want to be forgotten after we leave this world. This is not all bad either. I believe that our desire to last forever stems from the fact that we are made in the image of God who is, among many other things, eternal. But in the end, I see two shortcomings in Saul in 1 Sam. 15: First, Saul’s desire to build a monument for himself was based on vanity. You see this by the way Samuel rebukes him in 15:17: “Though you were once little in your own eyes…”—implication being that Saul was once humble but became self-centered. Second, Saul wasn’t building an eternal monument. I challenge anyone to find this monument that Saul set up; you won’t, because it’s long been destroyed. Of course, we know that there is a place where we can build up treasures or monuments, if you will, that will last forever (Matt. 6), but in order to set up a storehouse there, we cannot think vainly of ourselves.

This morning ask yourself, am I building up monuments for myself? If so, how long do you want or think these monuments will last? Are there monuments that you could be building that will last forever? Are you willing to give up vain glory to build up these eternal monuments?

Prayer

Lord, please give me humility of mind and heart, so that I would think of others over myself. Also, please guard my heart and help me to invest in things that will last forever, namely your kingdom and the souls of men.

Bible Reading for Today: Jeremiah 10

Lunch Break Study

Read Phil. 2:3-11

3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Questions to Consider

1. Based on this passage, how would you define humility?
2. How did Christ model humility for us?
3. How did God respond?

Notes:

1. We see that humility includes thinking of others more significantly than ourselves and considering other’s needs above our own.
2. Christ demonstrated humility by taking the form of man and then letting mankind put him on a cross.
3. God lifted Christ up. Now, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess the Lord.

 Evening Reflection

How much did you think of yourself today? Did you put the interests and desires of others above yourself? Did you think about God and did you try to invest in heavenly monuments today?

Editor’s Note: The AMI Quiet Times for March 10th-18th are provided by P. Yohan Lee of Radiance Christian Church.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

1 Samuel 15:20-21

And Saul said to Samuel, “I have obeyed the voice of the Lord. I have gone on the mission on which the Lord sent me. I have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and I have devoted the Amalekites to destruction. But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the best of the things devoted to destruction, to sacrifice to the Lord your God in Gilgal.

I cannot prove this scientifically, but I think “Saul” lives at my house in the form of a five-year old boy. I tell my son, “Saul (not his real name), clean up your room.” When I come back five minutes later, I see him in the middle of his still messy room, playing with legos or whatever toy he is into this month. Again, I tell him, “Saul, I told you to clean up your room!” Saul replies, “I did clean up my room. Look, I put the books away.” Sure, the lad has put the books away, but there are still a ton of legos, action figures, and craft supplies out all over the place.

Here’s the deal: for the life of me, I don’t know if my son really thinks his room is clean and has fulfilled my wishes, or if he is giving me that lame explanation hoping it will simply appease me. Similarly, when I read Saul’s explanation (15:20-21) as to why he did not carry out the Lord’s instruction to totally wipe out the Amalekites (15:1-3), I do not know if Saul really thought he was obeying, or if he was just hoping this lame explanation would appease Samuel and/or God. Here’s the real point: partial obedience is not the same as obedience; in fact, partial obedience is just another form of disobedience.

What are the things in which you know you are only giving partial obedience (or total disobedience)? In my experience, the two most common areas of partial obedience are: forgiving/loving and giving. I know so many people who do not forgive, but carry grudges. In better cases, they are certainly not loving their neighbor, but they live in a state of toleration with estranged brothers/sisters in Christ. Sure, estranged toleration is better than loathing, but it is not love. In terms of giving, many people know they need to give and have a genuine conviction about tithing; but they partially obey, rationalizing that some is better than none. Of course, in your life, there are probably other examples. What are the things you need to fix in obedience (total or genuine) to Christ? Let’s take steps today to live in genuine obedience to God.

Prayer

Lord, show me areas in my life where I am only living in partial obedience.   Give me an opportunity this day to obey you, even in small areas. And give me courage and wherewithal to fix these areas, as well as the power to change.

Bible Reading for Today: Jeremiah 9

Lunch Break Study

Read Psalm 1

1 Blessed is the man

who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,

nor stands in the way of sinners,

nor sits in the seat of scoffers;

2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord,

and on his law he meditates day and night.

3 He is like a tree

planted by streams of water

that yields its fruit in its season,

and its leaf does not wither.

In all that he does, he prospers.

4 The wicked are not so,

but are like chaff that the wind drives away.

5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,

nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;

6 for the Lord knows the way of the righteous,

but the way of the wicked will perish.

Questions to Consider

1. By implication, verse 1 shows the progression of a wicked man. What is it, and have you seen this slide in your life or another’s?
2. How does this Psalm describe the righteous person?
3. How does this Psalm describe the wicked person?

Notes:

1. The progression goes from active to inactive: The wicked man will first walk with wicked counsel, and then he will stand with sinners; finally, he gets comfortable and sits with scoffers. Most will not fall into great sin in one day, but rather a series of compromises and apathy to God will eventually lead into major trouble.
2. The righteous delight in and take to heart God’s word. They will be fruitful (grow) in the faith and ministry. They will be secure because they are firmly rooted in God.
3. The wicked are instable (blown away by chaff) and will eventually face the Lord’s judgment.

 Evening Reflection

Did you have an opportunity to obey the Lord today? Did you take that opportunity? Remember the Gospel is not, “Obey and you will be justified” but rather, “Because we are justified, we obey.” Is obedience to God a way you want to live because you are so thankful that He died for you? What is your motivation for living in obedience?

Editor’s Note: The AMI Quiet Times for March 2nd-8th are provided by P. Mark Chun of Radiance Christian Church.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

1 Samuel 14:24-30

24 Now the Israelites were in distress that day, because Saul had bound the people under an oath, saying, “Cursed be anyone who eats food before evening comes, before I have avenged myself on my enemies!” So none of the troops tasted food. 25 The entire army entered the woods, and there was honey on the ground. 26 When they went into the woods, they saw the honey oozing out; yet no one put his hand to his mouth, because they feared the oath. 27 But Jonathan had not heard that his father had bound the people with the oath, so he reached out the end of the staff that was in his hand and dipped it into the honeycomb. He raised his hand to his mouth, and his eyes brightened. 28 Then one of the soldiers told him, “Your father bound the army under a strict oath, saying, ‘Cursed be anyone who eats food today!’ That is why the men are faint.” 29 Jonathan said, “My father has made trouble for the country. See how my eyes brightened when I tasted a little of this honey. 30 How much better it would have been if the men had eaten today some of the plunder they took from their enemies. Would not the slaughter of the Philistines have been even greater?”

When we think about growing in godliness, there are many factors that we can attribute to positive spiritual growth. We think about dedication to reading God’s word, faithfulness in prayer, serving, attending small group, and the list goes on. But one important thing that we often neglect in our pursuit of godliness is watching how we speak. With the exception of the heart and the mind, the tongue is probably the most sinful part of the body. Think of all the sin that comes out of our mouths: lying, slandering, gossip, put downs, cursing, boasting, just to mention a few.

From this story, we can add to that long list, the sin of making rash vows. Saul was an impatient man, and that lack of prudence can be seen in the words that spill out of his mouth with damaging effects. In the end, his oath becomes a curse on his own son. So often, we underestimate how much our words impact the lives of other people. Our words have incredible power, and a misspoken vow, an untimely oath, a passing curse, or even a flippant promise can cause great hurt and damage. How many families, friendships, and congregations have been undone by thoughtless words?

Personally, I didn’t realize how much my speech affected others until my son, Jeremiah, started speaking. When he was just a toddler learning how to talk, we were at home playing with his toys. But when one of them broke, he looked at me, looked at the toy, and then he said, “What a piece of crap!” Now, this might be a humorous example, but it revealed to me how much my words impact what my children say and believe. As we get older, we might think that our words don’t impact people very much; but personally, I believe our words carry more weight with age. If a child says something hurtful, it is easy to dismiss, but when an adult or someone in power misspeaks, it can cause a great deal of pain. Because our words can make such an impact, the Bible is clear that we should watch every word and that all our conversations should be seasoned with grace.

Prayer

Lord, we are a people with unclean lips and prone to hurt one another with the things we say. Help us to grow in this particular area so that our words build others up instead of tearing them down. Reveal to us the sin that comes from our mouths and lead us into repentance.

Bible Reading for Today: Jeremiah 8

Lunch Break Study

Ephesians 4:29-32 (ESV)

29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Questions to Consider

1. What is the importance of saying things at the right time and place?
2. Who is ultimately grieved by our corrupt talk?
3. How can we put away the clamor, slander, and malice that pollute our speech?

Notes

1. Even words that are good in themselves can be injurious when spoken in the wrong circumstance or in the wrong moment. The apostle Paul reminds us that our words should fit the occasion and the person.   It takes a great deal of discernment to speak in a way that builds others up consistently.
2. In the end, our words prove most painful to the Spirit of God. As much as we may hurt the intended recipient of our sinful dialogue, it is ultimately God that grieves over our misspoken words
3. Perhaps, the most effective way to clean up the elements of sin in our speech is to remember to be kind to one another and to have a tender heart for those whom you are speaking with.

 Evening Reflection

Is there something you said today that was rash, hurtful, or downright mean? When was the last time you evaluated the content of your speech and confessed them before the Lord? Like the prophet Isaiah, ask the Lord to purify your lips.

Editor’s Note: The AMI Quiet Times for March 7th-8th are provided by Andrew Kim of Radiance Christian Church.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

1 Samuel 14:4-7

4 On each side of the pass that Jonathan intended to cross to reach the Philistine outpost was a cliff; one was called Bozez and the other Seneh. 5 One cliff stood to the north toward Mikmash, the other to the south toward Geba. 6 Jonathan said to his young armor-bearer, “Come, let’s go over to the outpost of those uncircumcised men. Perhaps the Lord will act in our behalf. Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few.” 7 “Do all that you have in mind,” his armor-bearer said. “Go ahead; I am with you heart and soul.”

When I think of Jonathan, the first word that comes to my mind is “friendship.”  Biblically speaking, we know Jonathan was the best friend of David, but even in this passage, we see that friendship was a vital part of Jonathan’s leadership style.  It’s not difficult to get people to follow you using force, positional power, or even fear and intimidation, but it is entirely a different matter to have people give you their heart and soul.  Clearly, there was something special about Jonathan that attracted people’s undivided friendship and loyalty. Even when faced with an impossible situation where Jonathan’s life hung on the balance, his armor bearer was willing to go with him heart and soul, even to death.  Wouldn’t we all benefit from a friendship like this?

Though most people think that they have what it takes to be a good friend, often there is no objective basis for that judgment.  Certainly, the number of friends that you have on your Facebook account is not proof that you are a good friend.  C.S Lewis, in his book The Four Loves, talks about the fact that before Romanticism in the 18^th century, friendship was viewed as the happiest and most fully human of all loves—the crown of life and the school of virtue.  Lewis, an expert in ancient literature, saw that historically men have believed that it was in our friendships where we learned how to fully love and develop our virtues; the reason being that out of all the loves, friendship is the least natural and the least instinctive. It takes very little virtue to love someone romantically; it also doesn’t take much character to love your family.  Jesus points this out when He says, “Don’t the thieves and tax-collectors love those who love them?”  Friendship is the great test of our virtue and the true litmus test of our character, specifically because it is the least necessary of human relationships (although still vitally important).

Proverbs 17:17 says, “A friend loves at all times and a brother is born for adversity.”   As you might expect, unconditional love has to lie at the root of our friendships; and from there comes the security that your friends will stick with you through the highs and lows of life, as much as your family, children, even your spouse.  Unfortunately, many of us are not accustomed to seeing friendships at this level because we view our friendships as largely peripheral to our other relationships—good if you have it, but okay if you don’t.  Yet when faced with difficult times, having authentic friendships gives you something to hold onto.

There is also a hidden side to friendship that draws out our virtue.  C.S. Lewis, when his friend Charles Williams died, wrote this to describe the loss that his group of friends felt:  “In each of my friends there is something that only some other friend can fully bring out.  By myself I am not large enough to call the whole man into activity. I want other lights than my own to show all his facets.”  When his friend passed away, Lewis recognized that he would never see the unique reaction of his other friend Ronald to one of Charles’ jokes.  And instead of having more of Ronald to himself, he sadly realized that he had less.  From that observation, he makes the conclusion: “Two friends delight to be joined by a third, and three by a fourth, if only the newcomer is qualified to become a real friend.”  If we allow ourselves, the best of who we are can be drawn out as we expand our pool of genuine friends.

Bible Reading for Today: Jeremiah 7

Editor’s Note: The AMI Quiet Times for March 2nd-8th are provided by Andrew Kim of Radiance Christian Church.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

1 Samuel 13:8-14

8 He waited seven days, the time appointed by Samuel. But Samuel did not come to Gilgal, and the people were scattering from him. 9 So Saul said, “Bring the burnt offering here to me, and the peace offerings.” And he offered the burnt offering. 10 As soon as he had finished offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came. And Saul went out to meet him and greet him. 11 Samuel said, “What have you done?” And Saul said, “When I saw that the people were scattering from me, and that you did not come within the days appointed, and that the Philistines had mustered at Michmash, 12 I said, ‘Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the favor of the Lord.’ So I forced myself, and offered the burnt offering.” 13 And Samuel said to Saul, “You have done foolishly. You have not kept the command of the Lord your God, with which he commanded you. For then the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. 14 But now your kingdom shall not continue. The Lord has sought out a man after his own heart, and the Lord has commanded him to be prince[a] over his people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you.”

We live in a world where patience is losing its value. Remember when the Internet was first introduced, and you could hear the sound of the AOL dial up struggling to make that connection – only to hear your mom picking up the phone and that entire precious waiting wasted in a second? Today, we complain about lagging YouTube videos or long lines. We have entered into an era of instant gratification, and sadly this mindset is plaguing our spiritual lives as well. In many cases, waiting means losing, and we must do whatever it takes to win as self-sufficient people.

However, impatience is not a recent pandemic, but one that can be found in our historical roots, in the life of King Saul. Here in this passage we see that Saul is hiding in caves with his enemies surrounding him, his fellow soldiers abandoning him, and his heart wavering at the thought of death. After waiting seven days, he focuses on the situation and takes matters into his own hands. But when Samuel returns and rebukes Saul’s disobedience, Saul makes excuses, blaming the circumstances.

It’s easy to recognize Saul’s mistake and judge him for it, but I do want to give him some credit for some of his waiting – I certainly wouldn’t have lasted that long. Technically, he did partially obey the commands, but here we see that partial obedience is not obedience. One of the greatest tactics the enemy uses is for us to partially obey and think it is enough.  Charles Spurgeon writes that because of impatience, “We have missed most privileges, and have wasted many opportunities in which we might have honored God, might have been an outstanding example of Christianity, and might have greatly benefited our own souls. Affliction has been the fire which would have removed our imperfections, but impatience has robbed us of its purification. Impatience is unprofitable, dishonorable, and damaging; it has never brought us reward or any good, and never will.”  In Romans 5, we see that patience builds our character and leads us to an enduring hope of glory.

In the context of Saul’s mistakes, we learn that a man after God’s own heart is one who keeps God’s commands by trusting in His faithfulness and protection, despite the circumstances. Saul’s mistake was that his impatience led to faith in himself rather than God. This does not mean we are to only wait and not put in any effort; but we are to remind ourselves that God is in control. Patience is more than about just waiting; it is an act of worship.

Take a moment and reflect on areas in your life where you find yourself lacking patience or faith in Him. Whatever or whoever the situation may be, instead of creating a world of excuses, let us repent and have a heart of surrender and worship. There is something so sweet and intimate that develops when we wait and cling onto our Savior in the midst of trials and tribulations. I pray that we all may have a heart after God’s heart.

Bible Reading for Today: Jeremiah 6

Editor’s Note: The AMI Quiet Times for March 2nd-8th are provided by P. Mark Chun of Radiance Christian Church.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

1 Samuel 12:17-25

¹⁷ Is it not wheat harvest today? I will call upon the Lord, that he may send thunder and rain. And you shall know and see that your wickedness is great, which you have done in the sight of the Lord, in asking for yourselves a king.” ¹⁸ So Samuel called upon the Lord, and the Lord sent thunder and rain that day, and all the people greatly feared the Lord and Samuel.

¹⁹ And all the people said to Samuel, “Pray for your servants to the Lord your God, that we may not die, for we have added to all our sins this evil, to ask for ourselves a king.” ²⁰ And Samuel said to the people, “Do not be afraid; you have done all this evil. Yet do not turn aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. ²¹ And do not turn aside after empty things that cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty. ²² For the Lord will not forsake his people, for his great name’s sake, because it has pleased the Lord to make you a people for himself. ²³ Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you, and I will instruct you in the good and the right way. ²⁴ Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you. ²⁵ But if you still do wickedly, you shall be swept away, both you and your king.” 

In the course of life, it is important to realize that not every request that we make before God is actually legitimate or even good for us.  As a father of two children, I have had to deny many unwise and unhealthy requests, ranging from eating candy for breakfast to using all of their savings for video games.  Obviously, as a parent I have a clearer understanding of the long term effects of present decisions, so while they are young, my responsibility is to help my kids make good choices in life.  However, there will be a time when I will have to let them loose, allowing them to make their own decisions as well as live with the consequences.  It frightens me to some degree, but this is a natural part of growing up.

In relation to our illegitimate desires, God can go one of two ways: He can either choose not to answer the request and save us from a painful mistake, or He can answer the request and let us deal with the consequences, with the hopes that we learn from the eventual fall out.  Either way, God wishes the best for his children, and His goodness certainly cannot be questioned in whatever decision we make.

The miracle described in this passage is a frightening reminder that we must live with the consequences of our daily choices.  In this particular scenario, the Lord waits until the day of the wheat harvest to bring a storm with thunder and lightning.   Not only is this a case of unseasonal weather, it would have destroyed the wheat and significantly reduced the harvest.  In their desire to have an earthly king, the Israelites lost sight of what they would lose.  They failed to recognize that the society and their own lives would eventually suffer under the reign of human rulers.  However, in the midst of this sign of judgment, Samuel offers them the assurance that God will never forsake them.  As believers, this is our confidence as well.  Though we sin and face the consequences of our actions, the Lord will continue to love us and promises to never leave us.

Prayer

Lord, help us to remember that Your ways are higher than our ways, and that You know ultimately what is best.    Place a heart of trust within us so that we can live a life of obedience, even when things don’t make sense.  Also, give us wisdom and discernment so that we would know what to ask of You.

Bible Reading for Today: Jeremiah 5

Lunch Break Study

Read James 1:5-8 (NIV)

⁵ If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. ⁶ But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. ⁷ For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; ⁸ he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

 Questions to Consider

1. Why is praying for wisdom so important to the Christian life?
2. What does it mean to ask for wisdom in faith?
3. How are wisdom, faith, and prayer connected?

Notes

1. Every Christian will go through difficult times, and only the wisdom of God will provide the divine vision and perspective to help us through. More than silver and gold, the person who desires wisdom will flourish and grow during the trials of life.
2. It is important to discern wisdom that comes from man versus the wisdom of God. Secular wisdom can be helpful in certain situations, but only the wisdom that comes from God, which is a gift, is able to help us deal with spiritual matters.
3. There is a close connection between faith, prayer, and wisdom. The person who asks for the wisdom of God has to have faith. Wisdom, then allows that person to persevere and grow in their faith.  Therefore, both wisdom and faith grow together feeding into one another.  Growth in wisdom is to understand that everything of faith is from God. Prayer is the means by which we exercise our faith by asking for this divine wisdom over and against other worldly things that we may desire.

 Evening Reflection

When is the last time you asked for the wisdom of God in faith?  What were some wise decisions that you have recently made?  What were some foolish choices in the recent past and the consequences of those decisions?  Reflect on the story of Solomon who asked for wisdom and a discerning mind instead of riches and fame from 1 Kings 3.

Editor’s Note: The AMI Quiet Times for March 2nd-8th are provided by P. Mark Chun of Radiance Christian Church.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

1 Samuel 12:1-5

And Samuel said to all Israel, “Behold, I have obeyed your voice in all that you have said to me and have made a king over you. ² And now, behold, the king walks before you, and I am old and gray; and behold, my sons are with you. I have walked before you from my youth until this day. ³ Here I am; testify against me before the Lord and before his anointed. Whose ox have I taken? Or whose donkey have I taken? Or whom have I defrauded? Whom have I oppressed? Or from whose hand have I taken a bribe to blind my eyes with it? Testify against me and I will restore it to you.” ⁴ They said, “You have not defrauded us or oppressed us or taken anything from any man’s hand.” ⁵ And he said to them, “The Lord is witness against you, and his anointed is witness this day, that you have not found anything in my hand.” And they said, “He is witness.”

When I turned 30, I remember struggling with the concept of legacy, because I thought I had wasted most of my twenties and had accomplished little in my life.  By the word “legacy,” I’m referring to the idea of how you will be remembered and whether or not your life has made an impact.  As I thought of all the people that I knew who had gone on to become successful in business and other respected professions, for the first time, I seriously gave some reflection on what I was leaving behind as a pastor.    In hindsight, maybe I was overly self-critical because I was reading the biographies of people who had accomplished great things before their 30^th birthday.  For example, John Calvin wrote The Institutes of the Christian Faith during his twenties.  Charles Spurgeon was leading the London Tabernacle, a church of ten thousand people, before the age of thirty.  But this self-reflection provided a healthy sense of urgency as well.

Though we can’t measures ourselves against ‘outliers’ like Calvin or Spurgeon, it is still vitally important to use the years of our youth wisely.  The prophet Samuel reminds us of the importance of living a life of integrity from the outset of our youth and to not waste our time on frivolous things.  From the early years of his life, Samuel walked before the people of Israel with honesty, compassion, and a clear conscience.  And now as a gray-bearded prophet, this servant of God was able to use the authority that could only be conferred to someone who had been exonerated through a lifetime of character and conduct to both exhort and encourage the next generation.  In other words, Samuel’s ability to influence people did not just happen:  It was developed over a lifetime of faithfulness.

Most people don’t think about the type of legacy they will leave behind when they pass away.  Too often, we only give thought to our legacy in our fifties and sixties; but this makes little sense, because by the time you’re that old, there’s really not much you can do to improve your legacy.  You can certainly destroy your reputation at that age like many have done, but the older you get, the harder it is to leave a lasting imprint on those who will remember you.  Personally, I don’t really buy the fact that fifty years old is now the new thirty.  The time to think about living to leave a legacy is now.

Prayer

Father, help us to number our days wisely.  Instead of wasting our time living for things that will not ultimately matter, give us a sense of urgency for the things that will last for eternity.  Remind us today of the importance of integrity and the character and conduct that is needed to truly influence the world around us.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Jeremiah 4

Lunch Break Study

Read Ephesians 5:15-21 (NIV)

¹⁵ Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, ¹⁶ making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. ¹⁷ Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. ¹⁸ And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, ¹⁹ addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, ²⁰ giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, ²¹ submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. 

 Questions to Consider

1. Why is it important to make the best use of your time in the midst of an evil world?
2. How can we ensure that we are living wisely and avoiding foolishness?
3. Have you ever considered that activities like getting drunk are not just sinful but also a waste of time and opportunity?

Notes

1. The literal translation of verse 16 is that believers are commanded to “redeem’ the time. We are to extract what is precious and pure from that which has become corrupted by the evils of our day.  The apostle Paul is mindful of the fact that the ability to live for God changes from season to season, and while we can, we must make the most of every opportunity
2. If we understand the will of God, we will keep ourselves from wasting our time on foolish and costly detours in life. As 1 Thessalonians 5 reminds us, the will of God is to pray without ceasing, rejoice always, and to give thanks in all circumstance: This is a good starting point in discerning the will of God.
3. Sin impacts our lives in more ways than one. Time wasted on sinful pursuits should also bring us to sorrow and repentance.

 Evening Reflection

How did you spend your time today, and how can you make better use of the time God has given you?  Reflect on the productive things that you accomplished and think of ways to minimize wasted opportunities.

Editor’s Note: The AMI Quiet Times for March 2nd-8th are provided by P. Mark Chun of Radiance Christian Church.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

1 Samuel 11:6-14 (NIV):

When Saul heard their words, the Spirit of God came powerfully upon him, and he burned with anger. 7 He took a pair of oxen, cut them into pieces, and sent the pieces by messengers throughout Israel, proclaiming, “This is what will be done to the oxen of anyone who does not follow Saul and Samuel.” Then the terror of the Lord fell on the people, and they came out together as one. 8 When Saul mustered them at Bezek, the men of Israel numbered three hundred thousand and those of Judah thirty thousand.

9 They told the messengers who had come, “Say to the men of Jabesh Gilead, ‘By the time the sun is hot tomorrow, you will be rescued.’ ” When the messengers went and reported this to the men of Jabesh, they were elated. 10 They said to the Ammonites, “Tomorrow we will surrender to you, and you can do to us whatever you like.”

11 The next day Saul separated his men into three divisions; during the last watch of the night they broke into the camp of the Ammonites and slaughtered them until the heat of the day. Those who survived were scattered, so that no two of them were left together.

12 The people then said to Samuel, “Who was it that asked, ‘Shall Saul reign over us?’ Turn these men over to us so that we may put them to death.” 13 But Saul said, “No one will be put to death today, for this day the Lord has rescued Israel.” 14 Then Samuel said to the people, “Come, let us go to Gilgal and there renew the kingship.” 15 So all the people went to Gilgal and made Saul king in the presence of the Lord. There they sacrificed fellowship offerings before the Lord, and Saul and all the Israelites held a great celebration. 

Some years ago, I had a discussion with a friend on whether if would be preferable to have a large ministry whose leaders were powerfully gifted but lacking in character, or to have a small ministry where the leadership was high in character but not as visibly anointed.  It was a fun conversation because I think we both knew the right answer.  But admittedly, it was difficult not to entertain the thought of being highly successful without having to pay the cost of growing in integrity.  In a perfect world, we would want the best of both scenarios—high character leaders impacting large numbers of people with their anointing; but in an imperfect world, you can have one without the other.

In Saul’s first act as king, we see that he leads Israel to a resounding victory over their enemies, the Ammonites.  In the process, he appears to be more than a capable leader who is able to rally the people to a just cause, and coming up with a brilliant strategy to ensure the conquest of the enemy.   Even afterwards, he shows mercy towards those who questioned his right to be king.  On the surface, this appears to be the best possible beginning for the new monarch.  Perhaps, the Israelites were justified in asking God to give them a king and that everything would turn out well after all.

However, just because something appears to look good on the surface does not mean that trouble is not brewing underneath.  What is even more disturbing in this passage is that Saul is described as being empowered by the Spirit of God to accomplish this specific task of leading Israel into battle.  I think this is one of the saddest facts regarding the life of Saul, because even as the Holy Spirit worked through him, the Spirit of God never worked in him.  In reflection, given a choice, I realized that having a relationship with God through the Holy Spirit and yielding to His intimate work of inner transformation is more valuable than simply having some powerful gifts of leadership.  Remarkably, when we ask for the former, God graciously gives us the latter.

Prayer

Lord, it is easy to fall into the temptation of success without integrity and character.  There are always shortcuts in life.  Help me to yield to Your Holy Spirit as He brings about conviction of sin and leads me into the righteousness of Christ.  Also, help me to use the gifts of the Spirit to impact people—great and small—and to be faithful with every opportunity that comes my way.

Bible Reading for Today: Jeremiah 3

Lunch Break Study

Matthew 7:15-23 (NIV)

¹⁵ Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. ¹⁶ By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? ¹⁷ Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. ¹⁸ A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. ¹⁹ Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. ²⁰ Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

²¹ Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord,” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. ²² Many will say to me on that day, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?” ²³ Then I will tell them plainly, “I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!”

Questions to Consider:

1. What is the good fruit that is the evidence of a true relationship with Christ?
2. How can people who don’t have a relationship with Jesus perform the mighty works described in verse 22?
3. What is the end result of doing ministry in the name of Jesus without having a personal relationship with Jesus?

Notes:

1. The good fruit that Jesus speaks of is a life of obedience to God. It doesn’t matter how big your church is or how many miracles you have performed. Without personal devotion and love towards God, these things are actually in vain.
2. Not surprisingly, we see many people who don’t have the right motives, using the Spirit of God and the name of Christ for personal gain. There are two possible answers:  Like Balaam (Numbers 24:2), God can choose to give His Spirit to non-believers to fulfill His purposes; or these signs could be performed through a deceiving spirit.
3. There is absolutely no benefit to doing ministry or good works in the name of Jesus without a saving relationship with Him. The end result is eternal separation from the One whose name was used for selfish desires and to promote personal gain.

 Evening Reflection

In our modern world, it is so easy to judge everything by the outward appearance, and to be tempted by the world’s standards of value and success.  In what ways are you attracted to outer success, whether in your choice of churches, career, or even relationships?   How can you learn to see through the eyes of God and judge people not by the outward appearance, but by their inward character?