Scripture:
1 Samuel 4:2-9; 9:15-16; 17:26, 36, 45-47
Sat, 18 December 2021

The Nature of Biblical Warfare

Observation:

What characterised the wars between Israel and the Philistines in 1 Samuel?

Deeper Reflection
THE WARS between Israel and the Philistines form an important theological backdrop to the narratives in 1 Samuel. Wars in the ancient Near East in biblical times were theological in nature. When Israel was defeated by the Philistines, they viewed it as God had defeated them before their enemies (vv.2-3). When the Philistines saw Israel carrying the ark of the covenant to battle with them, they saw that “God has come into the camp” and were afraid (vv.5-7). Saul’s calling as king of Israel was to “deliver My people from the hand of the Philistines” (1 Sam 9:15-16). David viewed the army of Israel as “the armies of the living God” (1 Sam 17:26, 36), and God as “the God of the armies of Israel” (1 Sam 17:45). The theological centre of Israel’s wars with the Philistines was to be “the battle is the LORD’s” (1 Sam 17:47). The motif of warfare in the Old Testament continues into the New Testament, but of a different dimension of reality and understanding. Satan attacks God’s people through deception as a disguised “angel of light” (2 Cor 11:13-15) and affliction as a devouring “roaring lion” (1 Pet 5:8-9). We overcome the former by knowing and standing in the truth, and the latter by standing in our faith and God’s agenda of character building (1 Pet 5:9-10). Satan can be the source of tribulation, which can result in death; and victory is to “be faithful until death” (Rev 2:10) to “the First and the Last, the Living One” who has “the keys of Death and of Hades” (Rev 1:17-18).
Application:

What spiritual warfare situation am I in now and how do I respond to it?

Prayer:
Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application of the Scriptures.
Prayer Pointers:
  • Give thanks and praise:
  • For Church Board: To live by the principle of “Be faithful until death”
  • 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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