Scripture:
1 Thessalonians 1:3-4; Deuteronomy 7:6-8
Fri, 11 February 2022

Chosen by God in Love

Observation:

What do Paul and Moses say about God’s election of a people for Himself?

Deeper Reflection
GOD’S ELECTION OF A PEOPLE FOR HIMSELF IS A MYSTERY: “Scripture nowhere dispels the mystery of election, and we should beware of any who try to systematise it too precisely or rigidly. It is not likely that we shall discover a simple solution to a problem which has baffled the best of brains of Christendom for centuries.”39 Amidst the difficulties and questions over the doctrine of election, one thing is clear: God chose us in love. Paul unites the love of God and the election of God: “loved by God, that He has chosen you” (v.4). God “has chosen” Israel, and us in Christ, “to be a people for His treasured possession…He set His love on you and chose you…because the LORD loves you” (Deut 7:6-8). Why did God choose us? Because He loves us. Why does God love us? Because He loves us. And God loves us not because we are loveable, but only because “God is love” (1 Jn 4:8, 16). And God’s love was most supremely demonstrated on the cross. So, “with this mystery we must rest content”40 with constant deep gratitude to God, while humbly asking, “God, why me?” And “we know” that God has chosen us because we are growing in active and productive faith, love and hope (vv.3-4). The church is “a community beloved and chosen by God in a past eternity, rooted in God and drawing its life from Him, and exhibiting this life of God in a faith that works, a love which labours and a hope which endures”41.
39 John R. W. Stott, The Message of Ephesians, The Bible Speaks Today (IVP, 1979), 37 40 John R. W. Stott, Thessalonians, 31 41 John R. W. Stott, Thessalonians, 31; emphasis mine
Application:

What does it mean for me that God has chosen me in His love for me?

Prayer:
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 10:11-12, 14-19
Tue, 26 September 2023

A Man of High Esteem

Observation:

What significant observations can you make about Daniel being called “man of high esteem” (vv.11, 19)?

Deeper Reflection
One of the heavenly beings called Daniel “man of high esteem” (v.11). This honour was bestowed on Daniel emphatically, in that it was repeated twice (v.19). This “high esteem” did not come from man, but from God Himself. God gave this honour to Daniel toward the end of his life when God called him to “enter into rest” (Dan 12:13). As a youth, Daniel “made up his mind not to defile himself with the king’s choice food” (Dan 1:8), and as an old man, he was faithful to God in spending time with Him in his “three times a day” devotion, even if it means to be thrown into the lions’ den (Dan 6:10). Daniel was finishing well in his life with “humbling yourself before your God” (v.12). When we think of finishing well in terms of successful accomplishments, we must be careful that we are not exalting ourselves.It is not for us to see ourselves in any way as a person of high esteem before God. It is for God to say that to us (2 Cor 10:17-18). Daniel never saw himself as a “man of high esteem”. A key emphasis in Daniel 10 is Daniel being greatly overwhelmed by the holiness and glory of God represented by the heavenly being with an awesome appearance (Dan 10:5-10, 15-18). And it was in this encounter with God when he was called “man of high esteem” that Daniel said, “How can such a servant of my Lord talk with such as my Lord?”50 (v.17). The man highly esteemed by God saw his unworthiness before God.
50 I have theologically translated “my lord” to “my Lord”, since the heavenly being is a representation of God.
Application:

What does being highly esteemed by God mean to me?

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 able to see oneself as God sees
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for those in need
  • Pray for self

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