Scripture:
Hebrews 11:13-16, 35-40
Sat, 6 August 2022

Eschatological Faith: Waiting for God

Observation:

What significant observations can you make about faith in verses 13 to 16 and 35 to 40?

Deeper Reflection
WITH ENDURANCE FAITH, THE PEOPLE OF GOD WERE “tortured, not accepting their release” in suffering for their faith. And it was “so that they might obtain a better resurrection” (v.35b). Their endurance faith was built on eschatological faith. Two kinds of resurrection are mentioned in verse 35: the resurrection of exploit faith and the resurrection of eschatological faith. The latter faith has “a better resurrection” than the former faith, because the resurrection of eschatological faith lasts for eternity, whereas those resurrected through exploit faith will eventually die again.Eschatological faith is living life with the end in mind: the Second Coming of Christ, the end of history to which God is bringing, when there will be “a new heaven and a new earth” (2 Pet 3:13; Rev 21:1) and reigning with Christ “forever and ever” (Rev 22:5). Those who live by eschatological faith see themselves as people “of whom the world is not worthy” (v.38). Note that it is not they are not worthy of the world, but the world is not worthy of them. Is this how we see ourselves and the world?Biblical faith is both “live by faith” (Heb 10:38) and “died in faith” – and “died in faith without receiving the promises” (vv.13, 39). “Without receiving the promises” means God has not fulfilled the promises. But that does not mean that God is not faithful, for these “promises” are to be fulfilled only at Christ’s Second Coming. Thus, eschatological faith lives for “something better” (v.40). The faith of the “died in faith” is endurance faith and eschatological faith.
Application:

What changes do I need to make in my understanding and attitude with regards to faith?

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 set their eyes eschatologically on things that are eternal
  • 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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