Scripture:
1 Samuel 18:14; 23:10-14, 24-28; 30:1-8
Wed, 22 December 2021

Discipleship Journey: Orientation, Disorientation and Reorientation

Observation:

What do these passages point to in David’s journey of answering God’s call for him to be the next king of Israel?

Deeper Reflection
OUR DISCIPLESHIP JOURNEY is marked by moments or seasons of orientation, disorientation and reorientation. So was David’s in 1 Samuel. Orientation: David’s story begins with the calling of God, which is foundational in our discipleship journey: he was anointed as the next king of Israel (1 Sam 16:12-13). And he was living in favourable life situations: his successful military exploits (1 Sam 17:48-51; 18:5), loving relationships with people (1 Sam 18:1-4, 16, 20). It was summed up as “David was prospering in all his ways for the LORD was with him” (1 Sam 18:14). Adversity arose amidst David’s prosperity: “Put David to death” (1 Sam 18:6-11; 19:1). And this threw David into disorientation: “David fled and escaped” (1 Sam 19:10, 12, 18; 22:1; 23:13; 27:1). David suffered much affliction from Saul’s relentless pursuit after his life. But we may feel that the afflictions we suffer are too much for us to bear, that in our weakness we waver in faith and go astray, just like David, who took things into own hands and fled to Gath twice (1 Sam 21:10-15; 27:1-7). But God often takes gracious initiative toward us to bring us to reorientation. God in His quiet providence delivered David from being killed by Saul (1 Sam 23:13-14, 24-28) and from wrongly killing Saul (1 Sam 24, 26). A hallmark of David’s reorientation was: When he was “greatly distressed” in a very difficult crisis, he “strengthened himself in the LORD his God” and sought the will of his God (1 Sam 30:1-8).
Application:

How do I move from my present disorientation to reorientation in the Lord?

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 leaders:
  • Pray for The Silver Generation:To anchor in God and His Word in times of disorientation
  • Pray for those in need:
  • Pray for self:

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Daily Devo
Daily Devotional Journal
Scripture:
Daniel 5:17, 25-31; 6:1-2
Mon, 5 June 2023

Serving from Babylon to Persia

Observation:

What is the significance of Daniel serving in the Babylonian and Persian
courts successively?

Deeper Reflection
God’s word to Belshazzar that He would “put an end” to his kingdom and give it “over to the Medes and Persians” was fulfilled immediately – “that same night” (v.30) – after Daniel’s interpretation of the inscription on the wall (vv.25-31). God can fulfil His Word immediately or after a long time. Whatever time God may take to fulfil His Word, He is “trustworthy in all His promises and faithful in all He does” (Psa 145:13b, NIV).The demise of the Babylonian hegemony was not just a historical event, but primarily a theological one. Nebuchadnezzar was “My servant” whom God raised to judge His unfaithful people in the seventy-year Babylonian exile (Jer 25:8-9, 11). When God had accomplished His purpose through Babylon, “I will punish the king of Babylon and that nation” (Jer 25:12). This is how God deals with arrogant and evil nations: “And Babylon, the beauty of kingdoms, the glory of the Chaldeans’ pride, will be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah” (Isa 13:19).The end of Babylon does not mean an insecure future for Daniel. However drastically our circumstances may change, God’s call for our lives remains when we walk with Him faithfully. We are secure in God’s call, because it is God’s call. Daniel became one of “the three commissioners” in Persia (Dan 6:1-2). It wasn’t that having lost his job Daniel applied to serve the Persian king. Daniel couldn’t do that. It was purely by royal appointment. But behind the “It seemed good to Darius to appoint” (Dan 6:1) was God’s call for Daniel to serve Him from Babylon to Persia.
Application:

How do I relate God’s call for me in drastic changes of my life situations?

Prayer:
Lord, I believe You have a calling for my life which You have intended to be distinctive for me. I want to live my life with a deep sense of answering Your calling. Help me to walk with You faithfully, knowing that as I do so, You will unfold Your plans for me in that calling. Grant me wisdom and understanding to discern Your calling for my life.
Prayer Pointers:
  • Give thanks and praise
  • Pray for leaders
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for those in need
  • Pray for self
 

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