Scripture:
2 Thessalonians 2:13-17
Fri, 14 October 2022

Stand Firm and Hold Fast

Observation:

What does it mean to “stand firm and hold fast to the traditions”?

Deeper Reflection
IN OUR DISCIPLESHIP JOURNEY, WE ARE TO EXPECT THE inevitable and inescapable ideological or circumstantial “rain…floods… wind…that beat against” us to come, where our foundation in life is tested: Is it built on rock or on sand (Matt 7:24-27)? It all has to do with the Word of God: Are we living by the Word or not?In the crucible of affliction and the combat against deception, the Thessalonians are exhorted by Paul to “stand firm and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught” (v.15). The “traditions” were the apostolic traditions – the apostles’ original teachings, which consist of the truth they received from the Lord through revelation. “Tradition” (paradosis) means “truth which, having been received, must be faithfully handed down”17. The apostolic traditions are “the foundation of Christian faith and life”18 (cf. Eph 2:20), taught in the early church by “spoken word or letter”, which are now preserved in the New Testament.To “stand firm” is to be steadfast and continue in a certain state.19 We need to “stand firm” when we are being greatly shaken, be it physically, mentally, emotionally or spiritually. To “hold fast” is “to retain in the hand”20 and “keep a strong grip on the teaching” (NLT). To “hold fast” is to not let ourselves be pulled away forcefully or subtly. Facing storms that may rage for a long time, we are to keep standing our ground, planting our feet firmly on it, and keep clinging on “to something solid and secure, clutching hold of it for dear life”21. That “something solid and secure” is “the traditions” – the Word of God.
17 John R. W. Stott, 178 18 John R. W. Stott, 178 19 Johannes P. Louw & Eugene A. Nida, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament Based on Semantic Domains, Second Edition, Volume 1 (UBS, 1988, 1989), 13.30 20 Johannes P. Louw & Eugene A. Nida, 18.6 21 John R. W. Stott, 178
Application:

How will I be able to stand firm and hold fast to the truth?

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 stand firm and hold fast to the truth
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for those in need
  • Pray for self

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Daily Devo
Daily Devotional Journal
Scripture:
Daniel 10:11-12, 14-19
Tue, 26 September 2023

A Man of High Esteem

Observation:

What significant observations can you make about Daniel being called “man of high esteem” (vv.11, 19)?

Deeper Reflection
One of the heavenly beings called Daniel “man of high esteem” (v.11). This honour was bestowed on Daniel emphatically, in that it was repeated twice (v.19). This “high esteem” did not come from man, but from God Himself. God gave this honour to Daniel toward the end of his life when God called him to “enter into rest” (Dan 12:13). As a youth, Daniel “made up his mind not to defile himself with the king’s choice food” (Dan 1:8), and as an old man, he was faithful to God in spending time with Him in his “three times a day” devotion, even if it means to be thrown into the lions’ den (Dan 6:10). Daniel was finishing well in his life with “humbling yourself before your God” (v.12). When we think of finishing well in terms of successful accomplishments, we must be careful that we are not exalting ourselves.It is not for us to see ourselves in any way as a person of high esteem before God. It is for God to say that to us (2 Cor 10:17-18). Daniel never saw himself as a “man of high esteem”. A key emphasis in Daniel 10 is Daniel being greatly overwhelmed by the holiness and glory of God represented by the heavenly being with an awesome appearance (Dan 10:5-10, 15-18). And it was in this encounter with God when he was called “man of high esteem” that Daniel said, “How can such a servant of my Lord talk with such as my Lord?”50 (v.17). The man highly esteemed by God saw his unworthiness before God.
50 I have theologically translated “my lord” to “my Lord”, since the heavenly being is a representation of God.
Application:

What does being highly esteemed by God mean to me?

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 be able to see oneself as God sees
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for those in need
  • Pray for self

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