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 5:22-31
Sat, 3 June 2023

Walking Humbly in God’s Hand

Observation:

What significant observations can you make about God in this passage?

Deeper Reflection
Daniel’s words to Belshazzar, “You have not humbled your heart… but you have exalted yourself ” (vv.22-23a), point to a reality: We are either humble or proud. We cannot be not humble and not proud at the same time. Pride is not just self-exaltation, but self-exaltation “against the Lord of heaven”, which also means we “have not glorified God” (v.23). God is always in the picture of humility and pride. Central in true humility is God being glorified. Three theological realities give us the impetus to walk humbly before God.We cannot escape from God: “the God in whose hand are your lifebreath and all your ways” (v.23). We can commit our lives into God’s hand and be secure that “My times are in Your hand” (Psa 31:5, 15a). But even when we choose not to entrust our lives into God’s hand, we are in His hand regardless, for better or for worse before God. God examines our hearts: “you have been weighed and found deficient” (v.27). We are not to be proud or boastful, because God is “a God of knowledge, and with Him actions are weighed” (1 Sam 2:3). We need to come to a point where we can meekly say as Jeremiah, “You know me, O Lord; You see me; and You examine my heart toward You” (Jer 12:3). God can end anything anytime: “God has numbered your kingdom and put an end to it” (v.26). It is foolish to withhold anything from God, as if we can. God is God enough to take away anything from us as He pleases.
Application:

What aspects of God do I need to align my life with?

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 Church Board: To know God’s heart and align their hearts to it
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for those in need
  • Pray for self
 

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