Scripture:
Genesis 25:21-23
Sat, 30 April 2022

Divine Mystery in Answering Prayer

Observation:

What do you observe about God and prayer?

Deeper Reflection
RUNNING THROUGH THE BOOK OF GENESIS ARE FIVE theological elements, which are often interrelated in diverse ways. Reality: Human experiences that we can identify with. Adversity: The trials of faith of God’s people. Sovereignty: God is always in sovereign control over everything. Destiny: Under His sovereignty, God is leading His people, in reality and adversity, towards a destiny – fulfilling His covenant purposes. Mystery: Divine ways that are inexplicable and unexplained – like how God answers prayer in verses 21 to 23.Isaac and Rebekah had a problem: Rebekah’s barrenness (v.21). So, Isaac prayed. God answered his prayer. Rebekah was pregnant. Problem solved. But the solution came with a problem: “the children struggled together within her” (v.22a). Rebekah was perplexed: “If it is thus [God’s answer to prayer], why is this happening to me?” (v.22b, ESV). How did God answer Isaac’s prayer? Solving one problem by creating another problem. How do you like God to answer your prayers like that? Isn’t it quite scary to pray then?We must know God here. How God answers our prayers is His prerogative. Yet, so often in our prayer we tell God very specifically what to do. And God answers prayers according to His purposes. When God answered Isaac’s prayer to solve a problem and in so doing created another problem, this problem was a problem with a divine agenda: Two nations and peoples were in Rebekah’s womb that would be in conflict with each other (v.23). What kind of divine agenda is that? It is God’s prerogative. And God’s ways are always perfect and right (Deut 32:4).
Application:

How do the ways that God answers my prayers help me in growing to know Him?

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 in the inexplicable mystery of God
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for those in need
  • Pray for self

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Daily Devo
Daily Devotional Journal
Scripture:
Daniel 5:22-31
Sat, 3 June 2023

Walking Humbly in God’s Hand

Observation:

What significant observations can you make about God in this passage?

Deeper Reflection
Daniel’s words to Belshazzar, “You have not humbled your heart… but you have exalted yourself ” (vv.22-23a), point to a reality: We are either humble or proud. We cannot be not humble and not proud at the same time. Pride is not just self-exaltation, but self-exaltation “against the Lord of heaven”, which also means we “have not glorified God” (v.23). God is always in the picture of humility and pride. Central in true humility is God being glorified. Three theological realities give us the impetus to walk humbly before God.We cannot escape from God: “the God in whose hand are your lifebreath and all your ways” (v.23). We can commit our lives into God’s hand and be secure that “My times are in Your hand” (Psa 31:5, 15a). But even when we choose not to entrust our lives into God’s hand, we are in His hand regardless, for better or for worse before God. God examines our hearts: “you have been weighed and found deficient” (v.27). We are not to be proud or boastful, because God is “a God of knowledge, and with Him actions are weighed” (1 Sam 2:3). We need to come to a point where we can meekly say as Jeremiah, “You know me, O Lord; You see me; and You examine my heart toward You” (Jer 12:3). God can end anything anytime: “God has numbered your kingdom and put an end to it” (v.26). It is foolish to withhold anything from God, as if we can. God is God enough to take away anything from us as He pleases.
Application:

What aspects of God do I need to align my life with?

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 heart and align their hearts to it
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for those in need
  • Pray for self
 

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