Scripture:
Ephesians 1:18-23
Fri, 29 April 2022

“So That You Will Know…”

Observation:

What and how does God want us to know according to Paul’s prayer for the Church in verses 18 to 23?

Deeper Reflection
IN PAUL’S PRAYER FOR THE CHURCH IN EPHESIANS 1:15-23, his emphasis is on knowledge: “in the knowledge of Him” (Eph 1:17); “so that you will know what is…” (v.18). “Growth in knowledge is indispensable to growth in holiness. Indeed, knowledge and holiness are even more intimately linked than as means and end.”60 Spiritual wisdom, revelation and enlightenment are indispensably necessary for such knowledge (Eph 1:17-18). What are we to know?We are to know the person of God (Eph 1:17). It is in knowing God through “the Spirit of wisdom and revelation” that “the eyes of your hearts [are] enlightened” to know three other Spiritual realities (v.18a). To know our prospect in God: “the hope of His calling” (v.18b). We know this hope prayerfully as conviction and in experience. To know this hope in experience means “we hope for what we do not see” – the future − and “we wait for it with patience” (Rom 8:25). We will not wait in vain, because “hope does not disappoint us” (Rom 5:5, NRSV).To know our preciousness to God: We are “His holy people who are His rich and glorious inheritance” (v.18c, NLT). Thus, God says to us, “Anyone who harms you harms My most precious possession” (Zech 2:8, NLT). To know the power of God: “His incomparably great power for us who believe” (vv.19-23, NIV) – Christ’s resurrection power (v.20a) and reigning power (vv.20b-22). Thus, we can be faithful to Jesus, “the first and the last, who was dead, and has come to life”, until death in whatever tribulation that we suffer (Rev 2:8-10).
60 John Stott, The Message of Ephesians, The Bible Speaks Today (IVP, 1979), 54
Application:

What does it mean to me to know what Paul asks of God in verses 18 to 23?

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 SGI leaders: To have enlightened eyes of the heart to see the things of God
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for those in need
  • Pray for self

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Daily Devo
Daily Devotional Journal
Scripture:
Daniel 5:17, 25-31; 6:1-2
Mon, 5 June 2023

Serving from Babylon to Persia

Observation:

What is the significance of Daniel serving in the Babylonian and Persian
courts successively?

Deeper Reflection
God’s word to Belshazzar that He would “put an end” to his kingdom and give it “over to the Medes and Persians” was fulfilled immediately – “that same night” (v.30) – after Daniel’s interpretation of the inscription on the wall (vv.25-31). God can fulfil His Word immediately or after a long time. Whatever time God may take to fulfil His Word, He is “trustworthy in all His promises and faithful in all He does” (Psa 145:13b, NIV).The demise of the Babylonian hegemony was not just a historical event, but primarily a theological one. Nebuchadnezzar was “My servant” whom God raised to judge His unfaithful people in the seventy-year Babylonian exile (Jer 25:8-9, 11). When God had accomplished His purpose through Babylon, “I will punish the king of Babylon and that nation” (Jer 25:12). This is how God deals with arrogant and evil nations: “And Babylon, the beauty of kingdoms, the glory of the Chaldeans’ pride, will be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah” (Isa 13:19).The end of Babylon does not mean an insecure future for Daniel. However drastically our circumstances may change, God’s call for our lives remains when we walk with Him faithfully. We are secure in God’s call, because it is God’s call. Daniel became one of “the three commissioners” in Persia (Dan 6:1-2). It wasn’t that having lost his job Daniel applied to serve the Persian king. Daniel couldn’t do that. It was purely by royal appointment. But behind the “It seemed good to Darius to appoint” (Dan 6:1) was God’s call for Daniel to serve Him from Babylon to Persia.
Application:

How do I relate God’s call for me in drastic changes of my life situations?

Prayer:
Lord, I believe You have a calling for my life which You have intended to be distinctive for me. I want to live my life with a deep sense of answering Your calling. Help me to walk with You faithfully, knowing that as I do so, You will unfold Your plans for me in that calling. Grant me wisdom and understanding to discern Your calling for my life.
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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