Scripture:
2 Thessalonians 3:1, 4, 6, 10, 12, 16
Mon, 17 October 2022

The Centrality of the Word

Observation:

What is the recurring idea in these verses in 2 Thessalonians 3?

Deeper Reflection
PAUL DEVOTES TWO-THIRDS OF 2 THESSALONIANS (chapters 1 and 2) to the theme of Christ’s Second Coming: “when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven” (1:7), “when He comes on that day” (1:10), “the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2:1), “the day of the Lord” (2:2), “the appearance of His coming” (2:8). Before the Lord returns, His followers will face two ongoing discipleship challenges: affliction (chapter 1) and deception (chapter 2). In suffering affliction, we stand and rest with “steadfastness and faith” in the eschatological “righteous judgment of God” (1:4-8) and in the future sharing of Christ’s glory (1:10, 12). Christ will not return, unless the “man of lawlessness” appears “to deceive the church on a massive scale”24 that will lead to “the apostasy” (2:3; cf. 1 Tim 4:1). But the antichrist is now being restrained from appearing; and meanwhile, “the mystery of lawlessness” – every form of deception – “is already at work” (2:6-7). So, we are now living in an “ambiguous situation, in which evil is both operative and held in check”25.How then are we to live in this “ambiguous situation”? Paul “sees the present period before the parousia of Christ as the era of the word”26. Thus, Paul’s emphasis in 2 Thessalonians 3 is the centrality of the Word27, as indicated by “the word of the Lord” (v.1), the apostolic “command” (vv.4, 6, 10, 12), “tradition” (v.6) and “what we say” (v.14). Indeed, we “do well to pay attention” to “Scripture” “as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the Day dawns” (2 Pet 1:19-20).
24 G. K. Beale, 221 25 John R. W. Stott, 181 26 John R. W. Stott, 183 (emphasis mine) 27 John R. W. Stott, 181
Application:

What does it mean for me to make the Word of God central in my life?

Prayer:
O Lord, heaven and earth will pass away, but Your words will not pass away.22 The very essence of Your words is truth; and every one of Your righteous laws stands forever.23 Help me to pay close attention to the Scriptures as a light on my path, and strengthen me to stand firm and hold fast to Your Word, no matter how my world is shaken and collapsed.
22 Matthew 24:35 23 Psalm 119:160
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 10:11-12, 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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