Scripture:
1 Thessalonians 2:14-16a; Matthew 23:29-33; Genesis 12:1-3
Fri, 25 March 2022

The Darkened, Hardened Human Heart

Observation:

How can it be that the Jews had a long history of opposing God (vv.14-16a; Matt 23:29-33) when God had chosen Israel to be a channel of His redemptive blessings to the world (Gen 12:1-3)?

Deeper Reflection
IN NEW TESTAMENT TIMES, THE CHURCHES OF GOD IN Judea suffered persecution from their fellow-Jews, who “killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets”, and opposed the proclamation of the Gospel (vv.14-15). These Jewish opponents pursued Paul from Thessalonica to Berea (Acts 17:5-10), and from Berea to Athens (Acts 17:10, 13-15). At this point of salvation history, only a minority of the Jews became followers of Jesus the Messiah. And even today, “secularism is becoming the unifying factor in Jewish identity…today the majority of the Jews worldwide identify themselves as secular rather than religious”32.God had “come down” to “meet” Israel to reveal Himself personally to them (Exo 19:9-10, 16-20), having chosen them to be His channel of redemptive blessings to the world (Gen 12:1-3; 26:3-5; 28:13-14). But sadly, Israel had a long history of covenant unfaithfulness and “shedding the blood of the prophets” (Matt 23:29-33). Can one really reject God blatantly in the face of divine personal revelation, which is unmistakably true and real? God’s faithful miraculous daily provision of “bread from heaven” can end up with “We loathe this worthless food!” (Neh 9:15; Num 21:5). The problem lies in the darkened, hardened human heart. Sometimes, we think that pre-believers received Christ because of our acts of love and unwittingly we take the credit. And note that “genuine coming to faith is never finally a matter of autonomous human decision”33. Ultimately, it is “No one can come to Me unless it is granted by the Father” (Jn 6:64-65). This is the only hope for the darkened, hardened human heart.
32 Salim J. Munayer & Lisa Loden, Through My Enemy’s Eyes: Envisioning Reconciliation in Israel-Palestine (Paternoster, 2013), 80 33 D. A. Carson, The Gospel According to John, (IVP, 1991), 302-303
Application:

How can I keep myself from thinking and believing that I am standing on the side with God, when in reality it is on the side against God?

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 be spiritually sensitive to the condition of their hearts
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for those in need
  • Pray for self

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Daily Devo
Daily Devotional Journal
Scripture:
Daniel 5:7-17
Wed, 31 May 2023

Answering God’s Call in Vocation

Observation:

What significant observations can you make about Daniel?

Deeper Reflection
Daniel did not choose to serve Babylonian kings in Babylon. It was circumstances – a national crisis of his country – that compelled Daniel to be where he was and doing what he was doing. Daniel did not have the privilege, opportunity or freedom to pursue a career of his own desire. However, it was out of these adverse circumstances, that Daniel discovered God’s call for him: To serve God through serving Babylonian kings. And God gave him the specific competency to fulfil God’s call (Dan 1:17). After Daniel told Nebuchadnezzar about his dream and the interpretation, he was “promoted” to be “ruler over the whole province of Babylon and chief prefect over all the wise men of Babylon” (Dan 2:48).When Belshazzar gathered his wise men to interpret for him the inscription on the wall, Daniel was not among them. Daniel was not unknown to Belshazzar.59 He knew him as “one of the exiles from Judah, whom my father the king brought from Judah” and “appointed him chief ” over all the wise men of Babylon (vv.11-12). It was only when the queen mentioned Daniel to him, that Belshazzar called for him (vv.10-11). Belshazzar “deliberately ignored Daniel”60 . Daniel was sidelined. How do you respond to being sidelined? For Daniel, he felt secure. Daniel was secure because he had no ambition to climb the corporate ladder. He had no interest in rewards and promotion. Daniel said to Belshazzar, “Keep your gifts for yourself or give your rewards to someone else” (vv.16-17). But Daniel interpreted the inscription for Belshazzar. Daniel was answering God’s call for him.
59 Ernest C. Lucas, 131 60 Ernest C. Lucas, 131
Application:

What positive attitudes do I need to cultivate in my workplace?

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 leaders
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for the Generations: To view their vocation as answering God’s call for their lives
  • Pray for self
 

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