Scripture:
2 Thessalonians 1:4-12
Wed, 17 August 2022

Our Worthiness Comes from God

Observation:

What is the connection between verse 5 and verse 11?

Deeper Reflection
WHEN WE IN FAITHFULNESS TO GOD ENDURE SUFFERING with “steadfastness and faith” (v.4), God in His “righteous judgment” will consider us worthy of His Kingdom (v.5), and He will vindicate us by judging the enemies of God (vv.6-9) and Christ glorifying Himself in us at His Second Coming (v.10). And Paul responds to this glorious ultimate reality with prayer – “To this end we always pray for you” (v.11).In the light of “you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God” (v.5), Paul prays “that our God may make you worthy of His calling” (v.11a). The former is the purpose of God and the latter is prayer to God for the fulfilment of the divine purpose. This is about our worthiness – the worthiness before God that comes from God. This worthiness from God is “the biblical version of how Christians are to have a good ‘self-image’”21. Our worthiness is our significance. There is nothing in us or anything that we can do to attain this worthiness. It is purely a gift of God’s grace to us. We have worthiness because God considers us worthy and makes us worthy of Him and His calling for us. Our worthiness from God enables us to live by this theological perspective: “the world is not worthy” of us (Heb 11:38).There is the human part in our worthiness from God: “Walk in a manner worthy of God” (1 Thess 2:12; Eph 4:1). For this, we pray to “be filled with the knowledge of His will in all Spiritual wisdom and understanding” (Col 1:9-10).
21 G. K. Beale, 194
Application:

What does it mean for me that God considers and makes me worthy of Him and His calling?

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 Singapore: To see the worthiness of the Lord Jesus in the church
  • Pray for self

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Daily Devo
Daily Devotional Journal
Scripture:
Daniel 5:7-17
Wed, 31 May 2023

Answering God’s Call in Vocation

Observation:

What significant observations can you make about Daniel?

Deeper Reflection
Daniel did not choose to serve Babylonian kings in Babylon. It was circumstances – a national crisis of his country – that compelled Daniel to be where he was and doing what he was doing. Daniel did not have the privilege, opportunity or freedom to pursue a career of his own desire. However, it was out of these adverse circumstances, that Daniel discovered God’s call for him: To serve God through serving Babylonian kings. And God gave him the specific competency to fulfil God’s call (Dan 1:17). After Daniel told Nebuchadnezzar about his dream and the interpretation, he was “promoted” to be “ruler over the whole province of Babylon and chief prefect over all the wise men of Babylon” (Dan 2:48).When Belshazzar gathered his wise men to interpret for him the inscription on the wall, Daniel was not among them. Daniel was not unknown to Belshazzar.59 He knew him as “one of the exiles from Judah, whom my father the king brought from Judah” and “appointed him chief ” over all the wise men of Babylon (vv.11-12). It was only when the queen mentioned Daniel to him, that Belshazzar called for him (vv.10-11). Belshazzar “deliberately ignored Daniel”60 . Daniel was sidelined. How do you respond to being sidelined? For Daniel, he felt secure. Daniel was secure because he had no ambition to climb the corporate ladder. He had no interest in rewards and promotion. Daniel said to Belshazzar, “Keep your gifts for yourself or give your rewards to someone else” (vv.16-17). But Daniel interpreted the inscription for Belshazzar. Daniel was answering God’s call for him.
59 Ernest C. Lucas, 131 60 Ernest C. Lucas, 131
Application:

What positive attitudes do I need to cultivate in my workplace?

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: To view their vocation as answering God’s call for their lives
  • Pray for self
 

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