Scripture:
2 Thessalonians 3:1; Acts 13:14, 44-50
Thu, 20 October 2022

The Glorification of God’s Word

Observation:

What significant observations can you make about the Word of the Lord
in these texts?

Deeper Reflection
PAUL ASKS THE THESSALONIANS TO PRAY FOR HIM THAT “the word of the Lord may spread rapidly and be glorified everywhere” (v.1, NRSV). What Paul seeks from God is what he had experienced at Pisidian Antioch on one sabbath when “almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord”: “when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed. And the word of the Lord was spreading throughout the whole region” (Acts 13:44, 48-49). It is noteworthy that this happened amidst strong opposition to the Gospel (Acts 13:45, 50). The Word of God is glorified when it is well received, “as happened to” the Thessalonians (v.1). For the Thessalonians, the Word of God was glorified when the Gospel was preached to them “in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction” and they “received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit” (1 Thess 1:4, 6). Mark the mighty presence of “the Holy Spirit” in this glorification of the Word of God.We learn from Acts and Paul’s letters that in city after city Paul met with great opposition in proclaiming the Gospel. And it is “from the depths of these experiences”35 that Paul made this prayer request. Paul did not ask for God to stop the opposition, for suffering for Christ was part of his calling (Acts 9:15-16). And Paul knew that God can and will glorify His Word even amidst great opposition. Who can triumphantly oppose God and His glory?
35 Gene L. Green, 335
Application:

How is the Word of God glorified in 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 Outreach/Missions/New Life leaders: That the Word of God will be glorified in their lives
  • 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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