Scripture:
1 Thessalonians 4:15-18; Genesis 3:8, 24; Exodus 29:46
Fri, 20 May 2022

Always Be with the Lord (1)

Observation:

What significant observations can you make about the presence of God in these texts?

Deeper Reflection
THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST IS THE FULL RETURN OF the presence of God. At Christ’s return, the resurrected and raptured believers will “meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord” (vv.15-17). It is vital for us to understand and appreciate the key historical-theological movements of the temple of God – the representation of the presence of God – in the Bible.When Adam and Eve sinned against God, they “hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God” (Gen 3:8). Then God “drove man out” of the Garden of Eden, the place of God’s presence (Gen 3:24). Sin separates us from the presence of God. However, since then, God seeks to restore fallen humans back to His presence. This redemptive restoration is a divine initiative and pursuit of love and grace. God redeemed Israel from the Egyptian bondage for this purpose: “that I might dwell among them” (Exo 29:46). So, God commanded Israel to “construct a sanctuary for Me, that I may dwell among them” (Exo 25:8).King Solomon built the temple in Jerusalem to replace the tabernacle (1 Kin 6-8). But God forewarned that if Israel breaks His covenant, He will destroy His temple (1 Kin 9:6-7). So, when Israel persisted in idolatry, God destroyed His temple by the Babylonians’ hand (2 Kin 25:8-9). This signalled the departure of God’s presence from His people (2 Kin 23:26-27; 24:20). When Israel returned from exile in Babylon to Jerusalem, they rebuilt the temple – the Second Temple (Ezr 1:1-4; 6:14-15). This marked the return of God’s presence to His people.
Application:

What changes do I need to make in my view and attitude concerning the presence of God?

Prayer:
  • Give thanks and praise
  • Pray for SGI leaders: That God goes before them and be with them in all that they do
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for those in need
  • Pray for self
Prayer Pointers:
Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application of the Scriptures.

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Daily Devo
Daily Devotional Journal
Scripture:
Daniel 10: 4-19
Sat, 30 September 2023

Strengthened by the Divine Touch

Observation:

What is the significance of the repetition of the terms “strength” and
“strengthen” in Daniel’s encounter with God (vv.8, 16, 17, 18, 19)?

Deeper Reflection
When God sent His Word to Daniel in a vision, it was he “alone saw” the “great vision” (vv.7-8). It was a special privilege of divine sovereign grace. The vision was also a vision of God’s holiness and glory manifested in the awesome appearance of a heavenly being (vv.5-6). Daniel was so utterly overwhelmed by the divine vision, that “no strength was left in me” (v.8). The description, “no strength”, is emphatically repeated four times in Daniel’s encounter with God (vv.8, 16, 17). We may not experience such an utterly overwhelming encounter with God like Daniel’s, but we do experience “no strength was left in me” in utterly overwhelming adversities like being “afflicted in every way” (2 Cor 1:8; 4:8-9).When we have “no strength”, we need the divine touch. God responded to Daniel’s fourfold “no strength” with a threefold divine touch (vv.10, 16, 18): He “touched me again and strengthened me”. When we are so greatly afflicted, that we feel no strength is left in us, and yet we persevere in faithfulness, it is because we are being “strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of great endurance and patience” (Col 1:11). Note the intensity and immensity of this divine power at work in us! This is the divine touch of “the surpassing greatness of power” from God (2 Cor 4:7-9). But we feel the physical and emotional pains more than the Spiritual power. The greater is our suffering, the greater will be the strength from God in us, and the greater will be our steadfastness in God.
Application:

What is my experience of the Word of God and spiritual warfare like in my
discipleship journey?

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 Church Board: To know God’s power that is perfected in weaknesses
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for those in need
  • Pray for self

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