Scripture:
1 Thessalonians 2:17-18
Wed, 30 March 2022

Irreplaceable Dynamics in Face-to-Face Contact

Observation:

What does Paul’s attitude and action toward the Thessalonians tell us about face-to-face contact in life and ministry?

Deeper Reflection
PAUL’S DEEP SENSE OF LOSS LIKE AN ORPHANED CHILD in his “extremely painful”43 separation from the Thessalonians (v.17a) resulted in a great longing “to see you face to face” (v.18). Paul uses “highly emotive”44 words to describe his loss and longing. Note the attitude and action of Paul in seeking to see the Thessalonians face to face. He “endeavoured the more eagerly” to see them again. The verb for “be eager”, spoudazō, is an intensive word. It means “do one’s best, spare no effort, work hard”45, eager to do something with readiness to expend energy and intense effort.46 The intensity of Paul’s eagerness is intensified further by the expressions “more abundantly” and “with great desire” (v.17). And with this attitude, Paul “wanted to come to you” with many attempts – “again and again”, until it became clear to him that it was impossible (v.18).Paul’s intensive attitude and action underscores the significant importance of face-to-face contact and communication in life and ministry. God created human beings to be personal and relational beings, with personal face-to-face contact and communication in relationship – with God and fellow human beings – as vitally essential. It has certain living life-to-life dynamics that cannot be replaced by technology. A good example is sexual intimacy. We can communicate through technology without relating interpersonally. God’s most definitive self-revelation in “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (Jn 1:14) was a face-to-face contact with His creatures, where He could be heard, seen, gazed at and touched personally (1 Jn 1:1-2).
43 Gene L. Green, 150 44 Gary S. Shogren, 125 45 Dictionary in The Greek New Testament, Fifth Revised Edition (Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, 2014), 168 46 Johannes P. Louw & Eugene A. Nida, 25.74, 68.63
Application:

What changes do I need to make in my relationships and ministry on face-toface contact?

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 treasure and be committed to building interpersonal relationships
  • 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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