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 5:7-17
Wed, 31 May 2023

Answering God’s Call in Vocation

Observation:

What significant observations can you make about Daniel?

Deeper Reflection
Daniel did not choose to serve Babylonian kings in Babylon. It was circumstances – a national crisis of his country – that compelled Daniel to be where he was and doing what he was doing. Daniel did not have the privilege, opportunity or freedom to pursue a career of his own desire. However, it was out of these adverse circumstances, that Daniel discovered God’s call for him: To serve God through serving Babylonian kings. And God gave him the specific competency to fulfil God’s call (Dan 1:17). After Daniel told Nebuchadnezzar about his dream and the interpretation, he was “promoted” to be “ruler over the whole province of Babylon and chief prefect over all the wise men of Babylon” (Dan 2:48).When Belshazzar gathered his wise men to interpret for him the inscription on the wall, Daniel was not among them. Daniel was not unknown to Belshazzar.59 He knew him as “one of the exiles from Judah, whom my father the king brought from Judah” and “appointed him chief ” over all the wise men of Babylon (vv.11-12). It was only when the queen mentioned Daniel to him, that Belshazzar called for him (vv.10-11). Belshazzar “deliberately ignored Daniel”60 . Daniel was sidelined. How do you respond to being sidelined? For Daniel, he felt secure. Daniel was secure because he had no ambition to climb the corporate ladder. He had no interest in rewards and promotion. Daniel said to Belshazzar, “Keep your gifts for yourself or give your rewards to someone else” (vv.16-17). But Daniel interpreted the inscription for Belshazzar. Daniel was answering God’s call for him.
59 Ernest C. Lucas, 131 60 Ernest C. Lucas, 131
Application:

What positive attitudes do I need to cultivate in my workplace?

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 significant people
  • Pray for the Generations: To view their vocation as answering God’s call for their lives
  • Pray for self
 

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