Scripture:
Psalm 78:1-4
Thu, 10 March 2022

Telling Stories to the Next Generation

Observation:

What stories must we tell the next generation?

Deeper Reflection
PSALM 78 RECOUNTS THE STORY OF THE PEOPLE OF Israel’s persistent rebellion and unfaithfulness towards God and their redemption by the mercy and faithfulness of God. We will consider the first eight verses in two parts over two days to see what we can learn about passing on the Christian faith to the next generation.Telling the next generation begins with us listening to God’s redemptive story. The Psalmist began here with an exhortation to “give ear” and “incline our ears” to the “parable” that he was narrating (vv.1-2). Why did the Psalmist recount the history of Israel in this psalm? He did so to emphasise the theological significance of Israel’s wilderness journey after the exodus from Egypt, highlighting negative examples of the past generation so that the present and future generations would know how they ought to follow the Lord their God. They were not to repeat their forefathers’ sins of rebellion and disobedience against the Lord. The Psalmist desired that the future of Israel would be much better than the past.By listening closely to God’s redemptive story from the past generations, Christians living today can humbly learn precious historical lessons and then actively tell future generations the stories of God’s works of power, righteousness, mercy and faithfulness. Let us carry out our responsibility to tell the next generation “the glorious deeds of the LORD, and His might, and the wonders that He has done” (v.4), especially through His Son Jesus Christ. Let us be bold and creative in telling the next generation the stories of God and His wondrous works, that they may walk faithfully with Him!
Application:

In what creative way(s) can I tell the next generation about God and His wondrous works?

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 Outreach/Missions/New Life leaders: To tell the next generation about God’s stories and lead believers to faithfully and creatively proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ
  • 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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