Scripture:
2 Thessalonians 1:11-12
Thu, 18 August 2022

Divine Empowerment and Divine Fulfilment

Observation:

What is your understanding of Paul’s requests in his prayer in verse 11?

Deeper Reflection
PAUL’S PRAYER FOR THE THESSALONIANS CONSISTS OF two petitions: “God may make you worthy…may fulfil…” (v.11). But the two petitions are not unrelated. The latter petition builds on the former.Paul prays for the divine fulfilment of “every purpose/desire (eudokia) for goodness” (v.11b) in the Thessalonians’ lives. The “purpose” can be divine or human. Eudokia “while at times applied to human intentions, is a near-technical term for divine will or plan, synonymous with God’s ‘counsel,’ ‘will’ and ‘purpose’”22 – “the good works that God desires to accomplish in accordance with His purpose”23. Tom Wright translates the verse as: “God…may complete every plan He has to do you good.”24 But in the context, the “purpose” seems to be human: “every good purpose of yours” (v.11, NIV 1984). Nevertheless, theologically, the “purpose” is both divine and human. Our “good purpose” is never humanly defined and created, but formed by and conformed to the purpose and will of God as revealed in His Word. It is similar to the “good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Eph 2:10), and we “work out” our salvation as “God works in” us (Phil 2:12-13). Paul also prays for the divine fulfilment of “every work of faith” – the Christian life in action and authenticity – of the Thessalonians.The divine fulfilment of our purpose for goodness and our faith in action is by divine empowerment – “by His power” (v.11). Every of our spiritual development and accomplishment by devotion, discipline and diligence is God’s gift. It is always divine empowerment and divine fulfilment.
22 Gary S. Shogren, 1 & 2 Thessalonians, Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament (Zondervan, 2012), 258 23 Gary S. Shogren, 258 24 Tom Wright, The New Testament for Everyone (SPCK, 2011), 458
Application:

In what specific ways do I see God, by His power, fulfilling His purposes in my life?

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 Outreach/Missions/New Life leaders: That God’s purpose will be fulfilled in their lives
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for those in need
  • Pray for self

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Daily Devo
Daily Devotional Journal
Scripture:
Daniel 7:13-18, 25-27; 11:29-36
Sat, 2 December 2023

The Triumph

Observation:

What characterises the triumph of God’s people in tribulations under tyrants?

Deeper Reflection
God’s people living under tyrants and suffering tribulations under them can triumph – whether we are delivered from or destroyed in tribulation. The triumph rests on a threefold confidence.We know the conclusion of evil. It is repeated in manifold ways in Daniel that evil that comes through inhuman kings – no matter how great and how long – will definitely come to an end: “he will be broken” (Dan 8:25), “he will be found no more” (Dan 11:19), “yet he will come to his end” (Dan 11:45) and “all these events will be completed” (Dan 12:7).We know God’s calling for us: To be a suffering people – to be captured, plundered, burned or killed (Dan 11:33). But in our suffering, we can be strong as “people who know their God” (Dan 11:32), knowing that God is purging and purifying us to become a sanctified (Dan 11:35; 12:10) and shining people who “shine brightly” with heavenly brightness in the hostile world (Dan 12:3). And we will be a steadfast people who “keep waiting and attain to the 1,335 days” (Dan 12:12) – until we become a sovereign people who “receive and possess the kingdom forever” from “the Ancient of Days” (vv.13-14, 18, 27).We know who is in control. The tribulations under the tyrants in Daniel 7 to 12 are all subject to and subsumed under “that which is decreed will be done” (Dan 11:36; 9:26, 27) “at the appointed time” (Dan 11:27, 29, 35).We conclude Daniel with this theological-discipleship summary statement: We can triumph in tribulations under tyrants when we trust with tenacity in the One who is on the throne.
Application:

How can I triumph in tribulations?

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 grow in the faith and perseverance of overcomers in Christ
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for those in need
  • Pray for self

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