Scripture:
1 Samuel 23:10-15, 19-20
Mon, 27 September 2021

“Oh No! Not Again, Lord!”

Observation:

What significant observations can you make about David’s experience in Keilah (vv.10-12) and Ziph (vv.19-20)?

Deeper Reflection
FOR QUITE A WHILE since 1 Samuel 19:10, just about every day, David had to live with “Saul had come out to seek his life” (v.15) and “Saul sought him every day” (v.14), and keep running away from this menacing Saul from one place to another. It can be quite tiring and makes one wonder when this is going to stop. Perhaps, the trials that you are going through bear a similar pattern, with a similar struggling feeling – “How long, O Lord?” (Psa 13:1). David had left Keilah and stayed in “the wilderness of Ziph” (vv.13-15). David left Keilah because Saul was seeking to destroy the city so as to force the people of Keilah to surrender David to him (1 Sam 23:8, 10-11a). And God told David that Keilah will “surrender” him to Saul (v.12b). And when the Ziphites heard that Saul was seeking David’s life, they sent word to him that they will “surrender him into the king’s hand” (vv.19-20). Don’t miss the connection: Keilah’s “surrender” of David and Ziph’s “surrender” of David. We can imagine David’s response to this: “Oh no! Not again, Lord!” When it happened twice, it does not necessarily mean there won’t be a third or fourth time. Trials can come wave after wave as if there is no end to them. But take heart: “You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord’s dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful” (Jas 5:11).
Application:

How will I respond to trials that come upon me wave after wave?

Prayer:
Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck. I sink in the miry depths, where there is no foothold. My eyes fail, looking for You, O God. Answer me, O God, for Your steadfast love is good. Turn to me according to Your abundant mercy. Hide not Your face from Your servant, for I am in distress. Answer me quickly.46
46 Psalm 69:1-3, 16-17
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 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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