Scripture:
1 Thessalonians 5:1-5
Mon, 6 June 2022

Living in Two Overlapping Ages

Observation:

What is Paul’s key emphasis in what he says to the Thessalonians in this text?

Deeper Reflection
THE COMING OF “THE DAY OF THE LORD” SHOULD NOT “surprise” us “like a thief ” (vv.2, 4), unlike the unbelievers, who while thinking that they are living in “peace and security”, “then sudden destruction will come upon them” and “they will not escape” (v.3). However, if we believers are not watchful and alert, we can be caught off guard and be surprised. Jesus has solemnly warned against this with a discipleship challenge: “Who then is the faithful and wise servant…?” (Matt 24:45-51). Are you such a servant? We should not be caught surprised by Christ’s return, because we are “not in darkness” but “children of light”, “not of the night” but “children of the day” (vv.4, 5).The Bible divides history into two “ages” (aiōn): “the present age” and “the age to come” (Matt 12:32; Eph 1:20-21), which are sometimes portrayed as “night” and “darkness”, and “day” and “light” respectively.6 The “present age was like a long dark night”7. But when Jesus began His messianic mission, “a light has dawned” and “the people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light” (Matt 4:13-16), and Christ “gave Himself for our sins so that He might deliver us from the present evil age” (Gal 1:4).At present, the two ages overlap in the eschatological already-and-notyet: “the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shinning” (1 Jn 2:8). But as “children of light” living in the two overlapping ages, we can easily and subtly “conform to this age8” (Rom 12:2) and be consumed by “the worries of this age9” (Matt 13:22).
6 John R. W. Stott, Thessalonians, 111 7 John R. W. Stott, Thessalonians, 111 8 Greek: aiōn 9 Greek: aiōn
Application:

What is my greatest concern with regards to the coming of the day of the Lord?

Prayer:
O Lord, You have said in Your Word that in the last days difficult times will come,3 and through many tribulations, Your people must enter the kingdom of God.4 But I hope in the coming of the day of the Lord when You will rule the whole cosmos totally. Now You are my refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.5 Help me to trust in You and not fear.
3 2 Timothy 3:1 4 Acts 14:22 5 Psalm 46:1-3
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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