Scripture:
Daniel 1:4-5, 17
Tue, 21 February 2023

Some People Who Are Exceptional

Observation:

What significant observations can you make about the mental abilities of
Daniel and his friends?

Deeper Reflection
Daniel and his friends already had strong mental abilities – formed by nature and through nurture: “showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well-informed and quick to understand” (v.4, NIV). Then, building on this, “God gave them knowledge and intelligence in every branch of literature and wisdom” (v.17a) through the threeyear training (v.5) and also as a special grace. And for Daniel, he “even understood all kinds of visions and dreams” (v.17b). God had made Daniel exceptional among the four brilliant youths.It is quite natural that we like to be exceptional. But God does not make all of us exceptional. And when God makes a person exceptional, it is purely His sovereign grace. “Sovereign” in that God chooses to do so; and “grace” in that it is not because we qualify for it. But we do not need to be exceptional in order to be significant. Seeking to be “extraordinary Christians” can be a stumbling block, when we think that our significance is defined by that. And it is flawed thinking that we are to be extraordinary because God is an almighty God, and He can make us so.John’s disciples were comparing him with Jesus, that more were being baptised by Jesus than John (Jn 3:26). John’s response was, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given him from heaven” (Jn 3:27). We don’t have because God has not given us, simple as that. In living by this principle, we will not compare or compete with others, and we will not feel inferior or superior.
Application:

How do I see the place of mental abilities in the spiritual life?

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 know how to live life and serve people holistically
  • 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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