Scripture:
1 Samuel 27:1-7; 24:1-6; 25:32-34
Thu, 18 November 2021

Looking Back at Those God-Moments… (2)

Observation:

What are other God-moments in David’s discipleship journey should he look back on when he feared that he would perish one day by Saul’s hand (1 Sam 24:1-6; 25:32-34)?

Deeper Reflection
THERE ARE OTHER GOD-MOMENTS in his discipleship journey that David should look back on to find encouragement to look up to God when he was in dire straits. David should remember how Divine Providence restrained him twice from foolishly killing God’s anointed king (1 Sam 24:5-6; 26:7-12), and from reckless vengeance and bloodshed on Nabal and his whole household (1 Sam 25:32-34). My longest wilderness journey – financial wilderness – lasted for 19 years. Before I answered God’s call to full-time service, I was a blue-collar worker for nine years, earning a three figure salary. Despite the faithful giving to God, and at times sacrificially, God didn’t quite fulfil His promise in Malachi 3:10. I experienced only two miraculous provisions totalling $31. Saving money was hard for me. I struggled with anxiety over my future, particularly, the money to get married. Once God asked me, “David, are all your needs met?” I replied, “Yes, Lord.” “Do you need the money to get married now?” God asked. “No, Lord. I don’t even have a girlfriend yet,” I answered. Then God left me with a question: “So?” God did not just provide more than sufficiently for our wedding; but since that day for 29 years now (exceeding the 19 years!), “the windows of heaven” have not closed. As I reach mid-sixties, I do grapple with my future financial security. But I look back at God’s journey with me in these past 48 years. God has been faithful and He will remain so the rest of my life.
Application:

Which are the significant God-moments in my life that I ought to look back in my discipleship journey now?

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 Outreach/Missions/New Life leaders: To know the God who was, who is and who is to come
  • Pray for significant people:
  • Pray for those in need:
  • Pray for self:

Download this Building Fund QR Code  and upload it to your banking app via your gallery/album. 

Download this General Fund for East QR Code  and upload it to your banking app via your gallery/album. 

Download this General Fund for WDL QR Code  and upload it to your banking app via your gallery/album. 

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

Download this New Life Fund QR Code  and upload it to your banking app via your gallery/album. 

Download this General Fund for BPJ QR Code  and upload it to your banking app via your gallery/album. 

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website.