Scripture:
Daniel 2:10-13
Fri, 3 March 2023

The King Is Destructive

Observation:

What does Nebuchadnezzar’s behaviour tell us about anger?

Deeper Reflection
The wise men had pointed out to Nebuchadnezzar concerning his impossible demand that “there is no one else who could declare… except gods, whose dwelling is not with mortal flesh” (v.11). But didn’t the Babylonians have their own gods? And why didn’t the wise men seek their gods to reveal the matter to them? The wise men were “diviners and not prophets” 3. The prophets of Israel had access to God to inquire of Him and He would speak to them, like Micaiah (1 Kin 22:7, 19-23). But Babylonian diviners “sought to discern patterns in events and dreams that foreshadowed the future, but they claimed no access to the minds of the gods”4 . In Christ we can “come boldly and confidently into God’s presence” by His blood (Eph 3:12, NLT; Heb 10:19). However, many of us fail to appreciate this privilege and neglect in spending time with God. We can seek God for our security, but we choose not to, and work out our own ways instead. We can seek God’s Word to know God’s mind, but do we?Nebuchadnezzar became “indignant and very furious” and “gave order to destroy all the wise men of Babylon” (v.12). A dream was enough to make Nebuchadnezzar lose control of himself and act like an insane man. Here is anxiety out of insecurity, leading to extreme reactions to unexpected events. Fury can lead to folly. Nebuchadnezzar would have foolishly destroyed all his “political consultants, trend spotters and religious gurus”5 , and lost the best people who could assist him to rule His Kingdom. It would be foolish self-destruction.
3 Iain M. Duguid, 21 4 Iain M. Duguid, 21 5 Tremper Longman, 77
Application:

What do I do when I am very angry?

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 grow in patience and gentleness, and not be easily angered
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for those in need
  • Pray for self
 

Download this Building Fund QR Code  and upload it to your banking app via your gallery/album. 

Download this General Fund for East QR Code  and upload it to your banking app via your gallery/album. 

Download this General Fund for WDL QR Code  and upload it to your banking app via your gallery/album. 

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

Download this New Life Fund QR Code  and upload it to your banking app via your gallery/album. 

Download this General Fund for BPJ QR Code  and upload it to your banking app via your gallery/album. 

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website.