Scripture:
Psalm 2:1-6; Acts 4:21-28
Sat, 18 March 2023

Do You See the Cross?

Observation:

How is the crucifixion of Christ seen in verses 1 to 6 (Acts 4:24-27)?

Deeper Reflection
The great statue in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream symbolises the full range of mighty kings of powerful kingdoms of the world (Dan 2:31-33, 36-43). In Psalm 2, these “kings of the earth take their stand…against the Lord and against His Anointed” (v.2), wanting to have their own sovereign freedom (v.3). But God “laughs” and “scoffs” at them for their foolish and futile attempts (vv.1, 4).Psalm 2 reveals a God of absolute sovereign power, who can make an easy clean sweep over all human powers. But then, do you see the cross in Psalm 2? The psalm itself does not show the cross…until the New Testament. The persecuted early church worshipped God triumphantly with Psalm 2 (Acts 4:21-28). The “kings of the earth” that “take their stand together against the Lord and against His Anointed” in Psalm 2 were in the New Testament “both Herod and Pilate” who, with the Gentiles and Israel, “gathered together against Your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed” (Acts 4:25-27). How did “Herod and Pilate”, with the Gentiles and Israel, gather together against Jesus the Christ? By crucifying Him – in whom they found no guilt (Lk 23:1-11, 20-25). God in Jesus was crucified by His enemies. This is how God wins. The cross is the Lord’s conquest and the Lord’s crown. God in Jesus is sovereign through His own suffering. The Lord lords over His enemies by “losing” to them. The Lord shows His power by being “powerless” in His enemies’ hands. God “laughs” and “scoffs” at His enemies through the cross. This is the glory of God!
Application:

What does it mean for me to follow the Lord who rules through the cross?

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 boast in nothing, except the cross of Christ
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for those in need
  • Pray for self
 

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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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