Scripture:
Daniel 1:3-7; Jeremiah 29:4-7
Sat, 11 February 2023

Living as Exiles in Babylon

Observation:

How did God intend the life of His people in exile in Babylon to be like?

Deeper Reflection
Daniel knew from the Book of Jeremiah (cf. Dan 9:1-2) that the Babylonian exile was the will of God: Nebuchadnezzar was God’s servant, to whom He had given the nations and “all the nations shall serve him”, and God will “punish” any nation that “will not serve him” (Jer 27:6-8). And Daniel understood that it was God’s will for His people in exile to live normal lives: “build houses”, “plant gardens”, get married and raise families, “seek the welfare of the city” and “pray” for the city (Jer 29:4-7). Followers of Jesus continue to live as “sojourners and exiles” (1 Pet 2:11), and our “Babylon” is the world.Daniel was a captive of Babylon, but he viewed it as God’s call for him: “to enter the king’s personal service” (v.5). God’s call for our lives is more than just our vocation. God’s call encompasses everything in our personal lives. Daniel discovered God’s call for him in difficult circumstances. He was totally passive in the God-directed process in this discovery.God’s call for our lives does include what the world looks for. Nebuchadnezzar was looking for youths who were “qualified to serve in the king’s court” (v.4, NIV). What mattered to him were social status – “of the royal family and nobles” (v.3), good looks (v.4a) and intellectual acumen – “showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well-informed and quick to understand” (v.4b, NIV). For Daniel, these “worldly” elements were given by God for answering His call. We can possess these “worldly” elements without conforming to the world. The key is living a God-centred life. 
Application:

What does it mean for me to live as an exile in this world?

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 shine for the Lord in living as exiles in the world
  • 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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