Scripture:
1 Thessalonians 4:9-10
Mon, 9 May 2022

God Himself Is Teaching Us

Observation:

What is meant by “taught by God” (v.9)?

Deeper Reflection
THE THESSALONIANS WERE “TAUGHT BY GOD TO LOVE one another”, such that Paul says they “have no need of anyone to write” to them “concerning brotherly love” (v.9). “Taught by God” (theodidaktos) is Paul’s shorthand reference to the new covenant promise of the eschatological blessing, “All your children shall be taught by the Lord” (Isa 54:13).18 Theodidaktos refers to “some form of divine instruction”19. It is “a supernatural working of God” in our hearts.20 For the Thessalonians, it was “the teaching” they “received through the activity of the indwelling Holy Spirit who produced the fruit of the Spirit (Rom 5:5; Gal 5:22)”21 – love, which they were practising even “to all the brothers throughout Macedonia” (v.10).In affirming the Thessalonians of being “taught by God” to the extent that they “have no need of anyone to write” to them, Paul was not instilling in them self-reliance and independence from him. On the contrary, Paul saw the urgent need to give them face-to-face teaching to fill up “what is lacking in your faith”, concerning which he prayed “most earnestly night and day” (1 Thess 3:10). It is clear from Scripture that being personally “taught by God” does not exclude learning from those who are gifted in teaching the Word of God and from one another.We are “taught by God” not just on love as the Thessalonians, but in all the other things of God as well. God teaches us in knowing, understanding and living out truths in life experience – “theology in actual life”22. Being “taught by God” is experiencing God in life according to His Word.
18 Gary S. Shogren, 1 & 2 Thessalonians, Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament (Zondervan, 2012), 169 19 Jeffrey A. D. Weima, 1-2 Thessalonians, Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament (Baker Academic, 2014), 286 20 Gary S. Shogren, 169 21 Gene L. Green, The Letters to the Thessalonians, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Apollos, 2002), 205 22 Jürgen Moltmann, The Crucified God (SCM Press, 1974, 2015), xvii
Application:

In what ways am I being taught by God in my discipleship journey?

Prayer:
O Lord, in times of difficulty or when I am lost, do not forsake me or leave me. Hold my hand, for I look to You and seek You, and let me find You. Make me to know Your ways, O Lord, and teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me,17 that I may grow in true understanding and walk in Your wisdom.
17 Psalm 25:4-5
Prayer Pointers:
  • Give thanks and praise
  • Pray for leaders
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for those in need
  • Pray for self

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Daily Devo
Daily Devotional Journal
Scripture:
Daniel 10: 4-19
Sat, 30 September 2023

Strengthened by the Divine Touch

Observation:

What is the significance of the repetition of the terms “strength” and
“strengthen” in Daniel’s encounter with God (vv.8, 16, 17, 18, 19)?

Deeper Reflection
When God sent His Word to Daniel in a vision, it was he “alone saw” the “great vision” (vv.7-8). It was a special privilege of divine sovereign grace. The vision was also a vision of God’s holiness and glory manifested in the awesome appearance of a heavenly being (vv.5-6). Daniel was so utterly overwhelmed by the divine vision, that “no strength was left in me” (v.8). The description, “no strength”, is emphatically repeated four times in Daniel’s encounter with God (vv.8, 16, 17). We may not experience such an utterly overwhelming encounter with God like Daniel’s, but we do experience “no strength was left in me” in utterly overwhelming adversities like being “afflicted in every way” (2 Cor 1:8; 4:8-9).When we have “no strength”, we need the divine touch. God responded to Daniel’s fourfold “no strength” with a threefold divine touch (vv.10, 16, 18): He “touched me again and strengthened me”. When we are so greatly afflicted, that we feel no strength is left in us, and yet we persevere in faithfulness, it is because we are being “strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of great endurance and patience” (Col 1:11). Note the intensity and immensity of this divine power at work in us! This is the divine touch of “the surpassing greatness of power” from God (2 Cor 4:7-9). But we feel the physical and emotional pains more than the Spiritual power. The greater is our suffering, the greater will be the strength from God in us, and the greater will be our steadfastness in God.
Application:

What is my experience of the Word of God and spiritual warfare like in my
discipleship journey?

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 power that is perfected in weaknesses
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for those in need
  • Pray for self

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