Scripture:
1 Samuel 22:6-8
Tue, 14 September 2021

Going from Bad to Worse

Observation:

What significant observations can you make about Saul’s behaviour?

Deeper Reflection
IN 1 SAMUEL 22:6-23, the narrator shifts the focus briefly from David (1 Sam 21:1-22:5) to Saul, to show how his disobedience (1 Sam 13 and 15) culminates in his actively opposing the will of God.20 Saul persisted in his selfish ambition and obsession with power. Now, this can happen to any Christian leader, especially when their status grows higher and their influence grows wider. An increase in spiritual alertness and honest self- awareness is critically necessary. Saul would do everything he could to stop David from becoming king, as symbolised by him “sitting…on the height with his spear in his hand” (v.6). Saul had used “his spear” to try to kill David (1 Sam 18:10-11; 19:9-10) and even his own son (1 Sam 20:33). He appealed to tribal allegiance by underling to his fellow “Benjamites” how he had given them more possessions and privileges than David the Judahite would give (v.7). In so doing, he was “threatening Israel’s unity”21. Something like this can happen in the church (1 Cor 1:12). Saul was so chronically self- absorbed – “conspired against me…sorry for me” (v.8) – that his thinking became distorted, which made him paranoiac that Jonathan had conspired with David to “hide in ambush against me” (v.8, NET). What happened to Saul shows us that if we persist in sin, and are not willing to let go and repent, the effects of sin will not remain the same, but will grow and “will go from bad to worse” (2 Tim 3:13).
20 Robert B. Chisholm Jr., 149 21 Robert B. Chisholm Jr., 146
Application:

How can I keep the effects of sin from going from bad to worse in my life?

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 consciously keep short accounts of sin with God
  • Pray for significant people:
  • Pray for those in need:
  • Pray for self:

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Daily Devo
Daily Devotional Journal
Scripture:
Daniel 5:17, 25-31; 6:1-2
Mon, 5 June 2023

Serving from Babylon to Persia

Observation:

What is the significance of Daniel serving in the Babylonian and Persian
courts successively?

Deeper Reflection
God’s word to Belshazzar that He would “put an end” to his kingdom and give it “over to the Medes and Persians” was fulfilled immediately – “that same night” (v.30) – after Daniel’s interpretation of the inscription on the wall (vv.25-31). God can fulfil His Word immediately or after a long time. Whatever time God may take to fulfil His Word, He is “trustworthy in all His promises and faithful in all He does” (Psa 145:13b, NIV).The demise of the Babylonian hegemony was not just a historical event, but primarily a theological one. Nebuchadnezzar was “My servant” whom God raised to judge His unfaithful people in the seventy-year Babylonian exile (Jer 25:8-9, 11). When God had accomplished His purpose through Babylon, “I will punish the king of Babylon and that nation” (Jer 25:12). This is how God deals with arrogant and evil nations: “And Babylon, the beauty of kingdoms, the glory of the Chaldeans’ pride, will be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah” (Isa 13:19).The end of Babylon does not mean an insecure future for Daniel. However drastically our circumstances may change, God’s call for our lives remains when we walk with Him faithfully. We are secure in God’s call, because it is God’s call. Daniel became one of “the three commissioners” in Persia (Dan 6:1-2). It wasn’t that having lost his job Daniel applied to serve the Persian king. Daniel couldn’t do that. It was purely by royal appointment. But behind the “It seemed good to Darius to appoint” (Dan 6:1) was God’s call for Daniel to serve Him from Babylon to Persia.
Application:

How do I relate God’s call for me in drastic changes of my life situations?

Prayer:
Lord, I believe You have a calling for my life which You have intended to be distinctive for me. I want to live my life with a deep sense of answering Your calling. Help me to walk with You faithfully, knowing that as I do so, You will unfold Your plans for me in that calling. Grant me wisdom and understanding to discern Your calling for my life.
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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