Scripture:
Daniel 2:1-3, 24-30, 46-47
Tue, 25 April 2023

Knowing God in Progressive Process (1)

Observation:

What was Nebuchadnezzar’s relationship with God like?

Deeper Reflection
Nebuchadnezzar is the main character in Daniel 1 to 4. Nebuchadnezzar, together with God, is mentioned in all the four chapters, while Daniel is not mentioned in chapter 3 and Daniel’s three friends not in chapter 4. In fact, Nebuchadnezzar is mentioned briefly in Daniel 5 in the post-Nebuchadnezzar period (Dan 5:18-21). From one perspective, we see in Daniel 1 to 4 Nebuchadnezzar’s spiritual journey with God in three parts. Daniel 1 to 4 shows “a progressive sharpening” of Nebuchadnezzar’s “awareness of the God who is dealing with him”36 , which climaxes with his personal testimony in Daniel 4. Do you see in your life a progressive sharpening of your awareness of the God who is dealing with you, such that you can say, “I have grown to know God personally better and deeper”?In Daniel 2, God visited Nebuchadnezzar in a nightmare that troubled him and gave him insomnia (v.1). But Nebuchadnezzar did not know that it was a divine visitation with a divine purpose. Nebuchadnezzar became a helpless king: he was “anxious to understand the dream” (v.3), but no one could interpret it for him (vv.26-27). But through Daniel, Nebuchadnezzar met the God who reveals, who “has made known” to him His plan of world history (v.28). Nebuchadnezzar acknowledged God as “a God of gods and a Lord of kings” (v.47). But this “can hardly be taken as an acceptance of monotheism”37 .Divine revelation does not necessarily always lead people to know God. God must open our eyes to see Him (Lk 24:31-32). But are we like Zaccheus, doing our utmost to see Jesus (Lk 19:3-6)?
36 Christopher J. H. Wright, Hearing the Message of Daniel: Sustaining Faith in Today’s World (Zondervan, 2017), 88 37Ernest C. Lucas, Daniel, Apollos Old Testament Commentary (Apollos, IVP, 2002), 80
Application:

How do I respond to divine revelation, whether from the Scriptures or
experience?

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 see God clearer and know Him better
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for those in need
  • Pray for self
 

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Daily Devo
Daily Devotional Journal
Scripture:
Daniel 6:1-10
Wed, 7 June 2023

Consistent Daily Devotion to God

Observation:

What does verse 10 tell us about Daniel?

Deeper Reflection
For Daniel’s distinguishing competency and character, and commitment to ensuring that the king suffered no loss in his empire, Darius “planned to appoint” him “over the entire kingdom” (v.3). But out of jealousy, Daniel’s fellow-commissioners and the satraps attempted to accuse him of “negligence or corruption” in “government affairs” (v.4a). They could find nothing, because Daniel was “faithful” (v.4b). So, they planned to make accusation against him “with regard to the law of his God” (v.5). And they maliciously instigated Darius to establish a law that “anyone who makes a petition to any god or man” besides the king “for thirty days, shall be cast into the lion’s den” (vv.6-9).Then, “when Daniel knew that the document was signed…he continued kneeling on his knees three times a day, praying and giving thanks before his God, as he had been doing previously” (v.10). This was Daniel’s spiritual discipline with a structure of regular “three times a day”. He kept it daily. We can say that Daniel never missed his quiet time. The most important words in the verse may be “when Daniel knew that the document was signed”. They indicate the context of Daniel’s spiritual discipline: A discipleship challenge where his life was at stake. Daniel’s spiritual discipline was no mere religious ritual and routine. He could have skipped his quiet time “for thirty days” and be safe. He didn’t. Daniel’s spiritual discipline manifested his consistent daily devotion to “his God”: “he continued…three times a day…as he had been doing previously.” At the heart of this spiritual discipline was Daniel’s relationship and fellowship with “his God”.
Application:

How can I cultivate a consistent daily devotion to God?

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: That young people will seek to be devoted to God consistently
  • Pray for self
 

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