Scripture:
1 Samuel 26:1-12; 24:1-7
Tue, 19 October 2021

God’s Word and God’s Hands

Observation:

How did David discern that what Abishai said to him was not from the Lord (vv.8-11)?

Deeper Reflection
THE GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY of getting so near to a totally vulnerable sleeping Saul was presented to David, that he could easily and quickly kill him, and once and for all stop Saul from pursuing his life (v.7). But David did not. When Abishai said to him, “Today God has delivered your enemy into your hand” (v.8), David immediately discerned, beyond a doubt, that, that was not the voice of God. He remembered what God said to him through his conscience at the last similar situation: “Far be it from me…to stretch out my hand against him, since he is the LORD’s anointed” (1 Sam 24:5-6). David was very clear as to what he should do: Stick to the Word of God – “The LORD forbid that I should stretch out my hand against the LORD’s anointed” (vv.9, 11). The Word of God enabled David to be patient and to restrain himself by resting in the hands of God. David remembered how “the LORD struck (nagap) Nabal” (1 Sam 25:38) and now he could rest in God that “surely the LORD will strike (nagap) him [Saul]” (v.10). David could trust God to handle both foolish oppressors when such matters were left in God’s hands. But then again God may not “strike” Saul. He may use some other method – permitting Saul a “natural” death or be killed in battle (v.10). The possibilities in God’s hands are numerous. What really matters is that God will handle Saul’s destiny. It was not in David’s hands.
Application:

What situations in my life should I refrain from taking into my own hands, but follow God’s Word and commit them into God’s hands?

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 walk and serve in God’s hands and under God’s hand
  • 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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