Scripture:
Daniel 4:20-23
Thu, 18 May 2023

God Is Merciful and Gracious

Observation:

What is the significance of God’s command, “Chop down the tree and
destroy it; yet leave the stump with its roots in the ground” in
Nebuchadnezzar’s dream (v.23)?

Deeper Reflection
When we reach somewhere like we “have become great and grown strong” and our “majesty has become great” (v.22), this must be accompanied by a keen awareness of the possibility of the divine “Chop down the tree and destroy it” (v.23a). But we are safe, if our focus and orientation are not inward and outward, but upward.Nebuchadnezzar met the divine “chop down and destroy” judgment when he was at his prime. However, it was not “chop down and destroy” – period. The divine “chop down and destroy” is accompanied by a “yet leave the stump with its roots in the ground” (v.23b). God judges in righteousness and justice, but with mercy and grace.When Amos saw God’s “locust-swarm” judgment coming on Israel, he cried out, “Sovereign LORD, forgive! How can Jacob survive?” (Am 7:1-2, NIV). God “changed His mind about this” (Am 7:3). God expected Israel to repent of their unfaithfulness. They did not. Then God would send His “fire” judgment and Amos cried out again, “Sovereign LORD, forgive! How can Jacob survive?” (Am 7:4-5, NIV). And God “changed His mind about this” again (Am 7:6). But Israel ignored God’s mercy. This incurred the divine “I will spare them no more” (Am 8:1-2). But still there is divine mercy and grace: “Nevertheless, I will not totally destroy the house of Jacob” (Am 9:8). More than that, God promised Israel that He will “raise up” and “rebuild” their “ruins” (Am 9:11). Capture this heart of God.God in His mercy and grace gave Nebuchadnezzar the opportunity and time – “seven periods of time” (v.25) – to repent.
Application:

How have I experienced God’s mercy in His discipline 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 Outreach/Missions/New Life leaders: To be merciful as God is merciful
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for those in need
  • Pray for self
 

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Daily Devo
Daily Devotional Journal
Scripture:
Daniel 6:1-10
Wed, 7 June 2023

Consistent Daily Devotion to God

Observation:

What does verse 10 tell us about Daniel?

Deeper Reflection
For Daniel’s distinguishing competency and character, and commitment to ensuring that the king suffered no loss in his empire, Darius “planned to appoint” him “over the entire kingdom” (v.3). But out of jealousy, Daniel’s fellow-commissioners and the satraps attempted to accuse him of “negligence or corruption” in “government affairs” (v.4a). They could find nothing, because Daniel was “faithful” (v.4b). So, they planned to make accusation against him “with regard to the law of his God” (v.5). And they maliciously instigated Darius to establish a law that “anyone who makes a petition to any god or man” besides the king “for thirty days, shall be cast into the lion’s den” (vv.6-9).Then, “when Daniel knew that the document was signed…he continued kneeling on his knees three times a day, praying and giving thanks before his God, as he had been doing previously” (v.10). This was Daniel’s spiritual discipline with a structure of regular “three times a day”. He kept it daily. We can say that Daniel never missed his quiet time. The most important words in the verse may be “when Daniel knew that the document was signed”. They indicate the context of Daniel’s spiritual discipline: A discipleship challenge where his life was at stake. Daniel’s spiritual discipline was no mere religious ritual and routine. He could have skipped his quiet time “for thirty days” and be safe. He didn’t. Daniel’s spiritual discipline manifested his consistent daily devotion to “his God”: “he continued…three times a day…as he had been doing previously.” At the heart of this spiritual discipline was Daniel’s relationship and fellowship with “his God”.
Application:

How can I cultivate a consistent daily devotion to God?

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: That young people will seek to be devoted to God consistently
  • Pray for self
 

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