Scripture:
2 Thessalonians 1:4-7
Tue, 9 August 2022

God’s Righteous Judgment in Suffering

Observation:

How is the righteous judgment of God expressed according to verses 6 to 7?

Deeper Reflection
THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD IS THE THEOLOGICAL foundation of Paul’s affirming and encouraging the Thessalonians for their “steadfastness and faith” in their “persecutions” and “afflictions” (v.4): “the righteous (dikaios) judgment of God” (v.5) and “God considers it just (dikaios)” (v.6). Everything that Paul says in 2 Thessalonians 1:4-10 is based and built on the righteousness of God.There is this hard reality – but a biblical reality – in the history of humankind: the wicked flourish and the righteous suffer. And the wicked who flourish tend to be people with great power, who in arrogance dominate and oppress the weak and the righteous. What we see is injustice. And we ask, “Where is God in this?” and “Why doesn’t God do something?” The challenge for us is to see the “evidence of the righteous judgment of God” (v.5) in all these. The truth is God is doing something and will go on doing it. And it takes “spiritual discernment and godly perspective” to see this “evidence” in the very situation in which we see nothing but injustice.8The righteous judgment of God is, God will “repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to grant relief to you who are afflicted” (vv.6-7a). There will be a reversal of fortunes. However, this reversal will happen “when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven” (v.7b). And meanwhile, God’s faithful people who are suffering for righteousness may cry out, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before You will judge?” (Rev 6:9-10). The divine response is: “Rest a little longer, until…” (Rev 6:11) – in “steadfastness and faith” (v.4).
8 John R. W. Stott, 147
Application:

What does it mean for me to live eschatologically in the light of God’s righteous judgment?

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 rest in God’s righteousness when undergoing trials
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for those in need
  • Pray for self

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Daily Devo
Daily Devotional Journal
Scripture:
Daniel 5:7-17
Wed, 31 May 2023

Answering God’s Call in Vocation

Observation:

What significant observations can you make about Daniel?

Deeper Reflection
Daniel did not choose to serve Babylonian kings in Babylon. It was circumstances – a national crisis of his country – that compelled Daniel to be where he was and doing what he was doing. Daniel did not have the privilege, opportunity or freedom to pursue a career of his own desire. However, it was out of these adverse circumstances, that Daniel discovered God’s call for him: To serve God through serving Babylonian kings. And God gave him the specific competency to fulfil God’s call (Dan 1:17). After Daniel told Nebuchadnezzar about his dream and the interpretation, he was “promoted” to be “ruler over the whole province of Babylon and chief prefect over all the wise men of Babylon” (Dan 2:48).When Belshazzar gathered his wise men to interpret for him the inscription on the wall, Daniel was not among them. Daniel was not unknown to Belshazzar.59 He knew him as “one of the exiles from Judah, whom my father the king brought from Judah” and “appointed him chief ” over all the wise men of Babylon (vv.11-12). It was only when the queen mentioned Daniel to him, that Belshazzar called for him (vv.10-11). Belshazzar “deliberately ignored Daniel”60 . Daniel was sidelined. How do you respond to being sidelined? For Daniel, he felt secure. Daniel was secure because he had no ambition to climb the corporate ladder. He had no interest in rewards and promotion. Daniel said to Belshazzar, “Keep your gifts for yourself or give your rewards to someone else” (vv.16-17). But Daniel interpreted the inscription for Belshazzar. Daniel was answering God’s call for him.
59 Ernest C. Lucas, 131 60 Ernest C. Lucas, 131
Application:

What positive attitudes do I need to cultivate in my workplace?

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: To view their vocation as answering God’s call for their lives
  • Pray for self
 

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