Scripture:
Psalm 42:1-11
Mon, 8 November 2021

Hope in God

Observation:

What was the Psalmist feeling and how did he respond in relation to God?

Deeper Reflection

THE PSALMIST FELT downcast and in turmoil (vv.5a, 6a, 11a). He was emotionally distressed and overwhelmed (v.7). Verses 3, 9 and 10 tell us that God had not answered his prayers and delivered him from the enemy’s oppression. God seemed to have forgotten him. Consequently, the Psalmist was continually taunted by his adversaries and felt unceasing torment in his soul. How did the Psalmist respond? He longed for God like a deer longed for streams of water (vv.1-2). He poured out his deep and honest feelings to God (v.4a). He encouraged himself to hope in God (vv.5, 11). He recalled God’s loyal love for him, even though he was really struggling in life (vv.6-9). God faithfully showed His steadfast love to the Psalmist and gave him songs in the night (v.8). God’s words comforted him and enabled him to pray. In this way, the Psalmist kept trusting in God even though deliverance had not taken place. The psalm did not conclude with a nicely packaged ending. There was no answered prayer and miraculous deliverance from his adversities. Yet the Psalmist declared that his hope is in God, whom he knows personally (“my salvation”, “my God”, “the God of my life” and “my rock”, vv.5b-6a, 8b, 9a, 11b). Even though the Psalmist’s problems remained, he nonetheless declared, “I shall again praise Him” (vv.5b, 11b). Despite our prolonged, perplexing and distressing situations in life, let us likewise continue to pour out our soul in prayer to God, put our hope in Him and praise Him who is our salvation and our God. The Lord is with us and will see us through!

Application:

In what ways do I identify with the feelings of the Psalmist? How have I been responding to my life situations?

Prayer:

O Lord my God, You are my salvation, my rock and the God of my life! I put my trust in You for deliverance from my adversities and adversaries in Your perfect ways and perfect time. I hope in You, trusting in Your steadfast love and faithfulness. Thank You that I can pour my soul out to You and receive songs in the night to encourage me and enable me to pray to You. Amen.

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 10:11-12, 14-19
Tue, 26 September 2023

A Man of High Esteem

Observation:

What significant observations can you make about Daniel being called “man of high esteem” (vv.11, 19)?

Deeper Reflection
One of the heavenly beings called Daniel “man of high esteem” (v.11). This honour was bestowed on Daniel emphatically, in that it was repeated twice (v.19). This “high esteem” did not come from man, but from God Himself. God gave this honour to Daniel toward the end of his life when God called him to “enter into rest” (Dan 12:13). As a youth, Daniel “made up his mind not to defile himself with the king’s choice food” (Dan 1:8), and as an old man, he was faithful to God in spending time with Him in his “three times a day” devotion, even if it means to be thrown into the lions’ den (Dan 6:10). Daniel was finishing well in his life with “humbling yourself before your God” (v.12). When we think of finishing well in terms of successful accomplishments, we must be careful that we are not exalting ourselves.It is not for us to see ourselves in any way as a person of high esteem before God. It is for God to say that to us (2 Cor 10:17-18). Daniel never saw himself as a “man of high esteem”. A key emphasis in Daniel 10 is Daniel being greatly overwhelmed by the holiness and glory of God represented by the heavenly being with an awesome appearance (Dan 10:5-10, 15-18). And it was in this encounter with God when he was called “man of high esteem” that Daniel said, “How can such a servant of my Lord talk with such as my Lord?”50 (v.17). The man highly esteemed by God saw his unworthiness before God.
50 I have theologically translated “my lord” to “my Lord”, since the heavenly being is a representation of God.
Application:

What does being highly esteemed by God mean to me?

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 be able to see oneself as God sees
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for those in need
  • Pray for self

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