Hi Woodlands Covenanters,

Just like that and we’re already into the second month of 2023! It’s incredible how time seems to have flown past.

As we move out of the pandemic into our pre-pandemic “freedom,” how can we live in a more sustainable, life-giving way so that the pandemic won’t be “wasted” on us? “How can I live differently?” you may ask.

I invite you to make a conscious effort to grow your relationship with God. There is a big difference between going to church and knowing God. There is also a big difference between doing your quiet time and knowing God! Because we can go to church or CG and even do our quiet time but not have a deepening relationship with Jesus.

Relationships are built over time by being present and paying attention. Try this for 2 weeks:

Take 3 mins to hush your heart. It’s often filled with all the anxieties of the day. Place them into God’s hands and ask Him to take care of them.
Read a psalm slowly and ask yourself: What were the feelings of the psalmist as he was writing?
Where is God in the midst of the psalm? Pray back whatever the Spirit has spoken to you through the psalm.

Building a relationship requires our conscious effort to be present and pay attention. May you make those decisions daily and grow to know your Lord.

Ps Chung Kai

Chua Chung Kai

Reverend Doctor Chua Chung Kai is Associate Pastor of Covenant Evangelical Free Church (Covenant EFC). He serves in the Senior Pastor’s Office, currently directing the Generations ministries.

Daily Devotional Journal

Scripture:
Daniel 2:36-39, 44-45; 3:1-2

Tue, 21 March 2023

God’s History or Your History?

Observation:

What is the difference between the statue in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream
(Dan 2:31-33, 38) and the statue that Nebuchadnezzar made (Dan 3:1)?

Deeper Reflection
Nebuchadnezzar’s dream troubled him so much that he had sleepless nights (Dan 2:1). And he was so desperate to know its true meaning that he made an unreasonable demand on his wise men that was impossible to meet, and he would destroy them all should they fail in the task (Dan 2:5, 10-12). But now that Daniel had made known to him both the content and the meaning of his dream, it was a great relief – given by God – for the king.After that, Nebuchadnezzar “made a statue (selem ²² ) of gold” (Dan 3:1). God had revealed to Nebuchadnezzar in his dream His plan of world history, which is symbolised by “a single great statue (selem)” (Dan 2:31). The statue is made up of a golden head, silver arms, bronze thighs, and iron legs with feet made up of a mixture of iron and clay (Dan 2:32-33). God said to Nebuchadnezzar clearly: “You are the head of gold” (v.39). But Nebuchadnezzar rejected God’s plan of world history. He did not want to be just a “head of gold”. He wanted to be a “statue of gold”! God said to him, “After you there will arise another kingdom”, symbolised by the silver arms (v.39). As a “statue of gold”, there is no such thing as “after you” for Nebuchadnezzar. And the shattering stone outside human control, representing God’s everlasting Kingdom (vv.44-45), was ignored and forgotten. Nebuchadnezzar the “statue of gold” was resisting the supreme kingship of God. What foolish and futile arrogance!Do you want God’s history for your life or do you want to write your own history?

²² In Aramaic

Application:

How do I deal with my not wanting to be just a “head of gold” but a “statue
of gold”?

Prayer:
Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application of the Scriptures.

Prayer Pointers:

Give thanks and praise
Pray for pastors and staff: To be highly conscious of God’s story in their lives
Pray for significant people
Pray for those in need
Pray for self

Chua Chung Kai