Scripture:
Psalm 52
Fri, 31 December 2021

Like a Green Olive Tree in God’s House

Observation:

What significant contrasts do you observe in this psalm?

Deeper Reflection
THERE ARE three significant contrasts in this psalm by David written in the context of Doeg, the Edomite, reporting to King Saul about David’s interactions with Ahimelech the priest at Nob (see 1 Sam 22:9-19). Each contrast is indicated by the conjunction “but” (vv.5a, 7b, 8a). First, the lover of evil and deceit (vv.2-4) appears to enjoy power and success that give him reasons to boast (v.1a), “but God will break [him] down forever” (v.5a). Any success is only fleeting and temporary. God will “snatch and tear” him from his “tent” (v.5b) – a sudden and forceful removal from the evildoer’s place of comfort and security. God will “uproot” the worker of deceit from “the land of the living” (v.5c) – a violent cutting short of his life. There is a finality and permanence to the evildoer’s destruction (v.5a). Second, the righteous man who makes God his refuge is contrasted with the man who would not, “but trusted in the abundance of his riches” (v.7b). The latter’s destruction is his self-chosen end. Third, the Psalmist contrasts himself with the man of deceit. Because David trusts in God’s steadfast love forever (vv.1b, 8b) and waits patiently together with other godly servants for God to prove His goodness (v.9b),25 he is confident that God will make him “like a green olive tree in the house of God” (v.8a). In other words, David trusted God to work in and through him in such a way that his life as God’s servant will flourish and be fruitful for God’s purposes and glory. May we as Christ’s disciples be like green olive trees in God’s house!
25 God’s good name is a reference to His character and attributes of goodness.
Application:

What is my aspiration for my life, and in what or whom am I trusting for that outcome?

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 SGI leaders: To be like green olive trees that flourish and are fruitful for God’s purposes and glory
  • 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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