Scripture:
2 Thessalonians 3:6-12; 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12
Mon, 7 November 2022

Persistent Disobedience and Hardened Heart

Observation:

How do these passages show the persistent disobedience of certain people
among the Thessalonians?

Deeper Reflection
PAUL EXPRESSES HIS “CONFIDENCE IN THE LORD” ABOUT the Thessalonians, that “you are doing and will do the things that we command you” (2 Thess 3:4). Then Paul immediately addresses the problem of idleness present in the church – and rather extensively in 10 verses (2 Thess 3:6-15). The Thessalonians that Paul had confidence in the Lord about were the “faithful majority”10 and those who were “walking in idleness” (v.6) were the “unfaithful minority”11. Paul does not leave this minority group alone just because the majority were faithful and thus thinks that the church was doing alright. He does not see the problem as small and insignificant, simply because it was a problem of the minority. For Paul, in the church, “a little leaven leavens the whole lump” (1 Cor 5:6). And Paul’s goal in ministry is to “present everyone mature in Christ” (Col 1:28), leaving no one behind.The problem of the “unfaithful minority” is persistent disobedience. Paul had instructed the Thessalonians – in person and by letter – on the matter of working and not living idly – (1 Thess 4:10-12). But this unfaithful minority stubbornly rejected his teaching,12 such that Paul has to call for church discipline (v.6). Persistent disobedience can harden our hearts. Scripture solemnly warns against the hardening of our hearts: “Take care…lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God…that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin” (Heb 3:12-14). Be watchful, be fearful about our own hearts and take sin seriously (Jer 17:9; Prov 4:23).
10 John R. W. Stott, Thessalonians, 190 11 John R. W. Stott, Thessalonians, 190 12 John R. W. Stott, Thessalonians, 190
Application:

How can I guard myself from falling into persistent disobedience to God?

Prayer:
O God, I come before Your throne of grace in my weaknesses, in my propensity to fall into temptation. Give me Your grace and mercy to help me to walk with You faithfully. When I stray away from You in my heart, seek me and restore me to Yourself. In Your mercy, keep me from hardening my heart in persistent disobedience.
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: 4-19
Sat, 30 September 2023

Strengthened by the Divine Touch

Observation:

What is the significance of the repetition of the terms “strength” and
“strengthen” in Daniel’s encounter with God (vv.8, 16, 17, 18, 19)?

Deeper Reflection
When God sent His Word to Daniel in a vision, it was he “alone saw” the “great vision” (vv.7-8). It was a special privilege of divine sovereign grace. The vision was also a vision of God’s holiness and glory manifested in the awesome appearance of a heavenly being (vv.5-6). Daniel was so utterly overwhelmed by the divine vision, that “no strength was left in me” (v.8). The description, “no strength”, is emphatically repeated four times in Daniel’s encounter with God (vv.8, 16, 17). We may not experience such an utterly overwhelming encounter with God like Daniel’s, but we do experience “no strength was left in me” in utterly overwhelming adversities like being “afflicted in every way” (2 Cor 1:8; 4:8-9).When we have “no strength”, we need the divine touch. God responded to Daniel’s fourfold “no strength” with a threefold divine touch (vv.10, 16, 18): He “touched me again and strengthened me”. When we are so greatly afflicted, that we feel no strength is left in us, and yet we persevere in faithfulness, it is because we are being “strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of great endurance and patience” (Col 1:11). Note the intensity and immensity of this divine power at work in us! This is the divine touch of “the surpassing greatness of power” from God (2 Cor 4:7-9). But we feel the physical and emotional pains more than the Spiritual power. The greater is our suffering, the greater will be the strength from God in us, and the greater will be our steadfastness in God.
Application:

What is my experience of the Word of God and spiritual warfare like in my
discipleship journey?

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 know God’s power that is perfected in weaknesses
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for those in need
  • Pray for self

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